Partnerships

The first IPC-IOC agreement was signed during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games by Presidents Samaranch and Steadward

The IPC actively seeks to develop partnerships with organizations that have common interests and help the IPC achieve its strategic objectives.

Through partnerships, the IPC aims to increase athlete participation, launch development and education programmes and increase awareness for the Paralympic Movement.

The IPC has established partnerships with influential international organizations such as the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations around the globe.

The IPC also wants to work with its members to identify, develop and manage partnerships and funding at government and more local level.

IPC-IOC Partnership

This productive relationship with the IOC occurs on many levels and has increased the quality level of the Paralympic Games to an exceptional level.

The first IPC-IOC agreement was signed during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games by Presidents Samaranch and Steadward, at which point the IOC was seeking a positive association showing social responsibility. In 2001, the two signed an agreement securing the practice of “one bid, one city,” meaning the same city will host both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The IPC President is an IOC member and the IPC is represented on several IOC Commissions.

Worldwide Partners

Visa

Visa, the first global sponsor of the IPC and sponsor of the Paralympic Games since 2002, is the official payment service and only card accepted at all Paralympic Games venues to purchase Paralympic tickets, official Games merchandise, or food and beverages in venues.

Visa retains exclusive marketing and promotional rights within the Payment Services category and activation opportunities for financial institution clients and merchants throughout the world.

By engaging in dialogue, raising awareness of existing Visa products and services (e.g., online banking and bill payment, Visa Paralympic website), developing new technologies specifically for the needs of persons with a disability (e.g., voice-activated and Braille ATMs), extending issuance, and creating an affinity with Visa’s global network of financial institution clients, Visa provides this global community with greater access and choice. www.visaparalympics.com

Otto Bock

Otto Bock is a Partner of the Paralympic Movement, in the product categories 'Therapeutical Medical Devices' and 'Rehabilitation and Mobility Healthcare Products'.

Otto Bock is the leading global supplier in prosthetics and rehabilitation and has been supporting the Paralympic Movement and its athletes, both with its products and its free services, at events for years. Since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, Otto Bock has also brought their service centre to several major competitions outside the Paralympic Games, for example, the IPC Athletics World and European Championships.

For more information about Otto Bock, please visit the official website at www.ottobock.com/paralympics.

Samsung

Samsung is a Worldwide Partner of the IPC in the category 'Mobile Telecommunications'. The partnership was launched on the eve of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, which Samsung supported as an official Games Partner for the first time ever.

This partnership represents an important extension of the involvement of Samsung with the Olympic Games. Through this partnership, Samsung will support the IPC's efforts to communicate the inspiration and excitement of Paralympic sport to a wider audience around the world.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is the world's third largest producer of mobile phones. For more information, please visit the Samsung website at www.samsung.com.

Atos

At the beginning of 2008, the IPC signed an agreement with Atos to become its Worldwide Paralympic IT Partner. Under the agreement, Atos will contribute to the development of the Paralympic Movement through the creation of a system, which is designed to manage the athletes’ data, including results, biographical and classification specific information. The company has been the IT Partner for the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 Paralympic Games. In 2011, the company extended its agreement with the IPC and worked towards designing and producing the new IPC website.

For more information, please visit the Atos website at http://atos.net/en-us/olympic_games/paralympic_games/default.htm.

International Partners

Allianz

The IPC is very proud to have Allianz SE, one of the world's top insurance and financial services companies, as their International Partner. In addition to its support of the IPC, Allianz also supports eight National Paralympic Committees including Germany, Portugal, Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Switzerland and Turkey as "National Supporter".

The close collaboration between Allianz and the IPC will support the development of potential future Paralympians, as well as help spread the important message of equality and inclusion of the Paralympic Movement. Ultimately the aim is to change perceptions of people with a disability through the powerful images and values of Paralympic Sport.

For more information, please visit www.allianz.com.

Governmental Partners

The German Ministry of the Interior, the regional government of North Rhine-Westfalia and the City of Bonn are partnering with the International Paralympic Committee to provide financial support.

Development Partnerships

The IPC is committed to engaging in partnerships with external organizations who can positively contribute to the long-term development of the Paralympic Movement.