2016 Cities Get More Information on Paralympics

"With every bid, we can see stronger and stronger interest from the cities which is a very positive trend"

The aim of the four-day seminar was to assist Applicant Cities in the bid process and give them a complete overview of the complexity of organizing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and of what will be expected from them should they be selected as Candidate Cities.

The delegations also had the chance to talk to representatives of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to get more information about the Paralympic Games, the Paralympic sports programme and legacy opportunities. Furthermore, participants met with those who have organized or are currently organizing Olympic and Paralympic Games and had the opportunity to get first-hand experience.

The seminar covered all aspects of the bid process and the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games such as Games benefits, legacy, finance, the Organizing Committee’s structure and public authority interface and infrastructure.

Said IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez: "This was an excellent opportunity to set the right expectations from the beginning and stress the importance of the Paralympic Games in the bidding process. With every bid, we can see stronger and stronger interest from the cities which is a very positive trend".

The next deadline for the seven Applicant Cities for the 2016 Olympic Games is the returning of the Applicant City Questionnaire to the IOC on 14 January 2008. The questionnaires will then be analyzed and the IOC Executive Board accepts Candidate Cities at the beginning of June 2008. There then follows a candidature procedure, which includes participation in the Beijing 2008 Observers programme and which will culminate in the election of the 2016 Host City at the IOC Session in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 2 October 2009.

* Cities listed in alphabetical order.