Peter Eriksson has been appointed as the new Paralympics head coach at UK Athletics (UKA).

The Swedish coach will take up the role in February 2009, having already guided Paralympic athletes to 119 medals during his 24-year career. At the 2008 Beijing Games, he coached the Canadian wheelchair racer, Chantal Petitclerc, helping her to win five gold medals, and beat three world records.

A former international speed skater, Eriksson's role will be to mirror UKA's new head coach, Charles van Commenee, working closely with athletes capable of achieving medal success at the London 2012 Paralympic games. Eriksson said: "The British athletics team has a tremendous heritage and – as was clear in Beijing – there is a fresh generation of talented athletes ready to step up and achieve huge success at the Paralympic games.

"The standard of Paralympic athletes has never been higher and is continually improving at a rapid rate. Winning medals at London 2012 will be tougher than at any previous games. However, there is no greater incentive than a home games and it is up to us to meet that challenge."