The end of an era as the IPC leaves its first home of 25 years

After almost 25 years of transformational expansion, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said goodbye to its first headquarters in Bonn, Germany, on 28 March having outgrown the site.

From mid-April, following a short period of remote work, the IPC will begin work in its new headquarters at Dahlmannstrasse 2, the former site of the State Representation in Bonn, just 500m from its current location.

It was in September 1999, 10 years after its founding in Dusseldorf, Germany, that the IPC opened its first headquarters, giving a strong foundation from which to grow. Led by its founding President Dr. Bob Steadward, 10 full-time staff members began work at Adenauerallee 212-214, opposite the city’s Palais Schaumburg, the former first official residence and office of the German Chancellor.

Today, the IPC employs more than 130 people from 47 nations, working diligently to continue the growth and development of the Paralympic Movement from its Bonn headquarters. The IPC’s membership has grown to over 200 organisations from around the world, while the Paralympic Games have grown to become regarded as the world’s third biggest sport event.

Mike Peters, IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “At the IPC we are mindful of our history and of the fact that we stand on the shoulders of giants. While we are sad to leave our home of the last quarter of a century, we do so with the knowledge that amazing progress has been made here to help create a more inclusive world for persons with disabilities.

“For the last decade, we have been struggling for office space, with Team IPC divided across several buildings in the city. Thanks to the tremendous and long-standing support of the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Bonn, and the Federal Government of Germany, we will soon be back under one roof as a fantastic new facility overlooking the River Rhine.

“The intention of the work we undertake in Bonn is to have a global impact by creating a more inclusive world through Para sport. Whether by implementing programmes to strengthen and support our 200+ member organisations and the athletes they serve, or by overseeing the organisation of the Paralympic Games., we aim to showcase what is possible when obstacles to opportunity, whether physical or the result of misperception and stigma, are removed for persons with a disability.

“Important history was made in the former State Representation building and we intend to honour its legacy by creating more landmark moments that will benefit the local community, further the growth of the IPC and our members, and strengthen the ambition of the Paralympic Movement.”