IOC member Sam Ramsamy's address to the IPC Membership Gathering

Sam Ramsamy, IOC delegate member to sport for athletes with a disability, full speech at the Opening Plenary of the IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin, Germany. 03 Oct 2014

Sam Ramsamy on stage at IPC Membership Gathering

Sam Ramsamy spoke of continuing the partnership between the IPC and IOC

ⒸJoachim Radtke

By IPC

"The IOC and the IPC have a partnership agreement continuing until 2020. I am certain that this agreement will again be renewed for a further period."

At the Opening Plenary of the IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin, Germany, Sam Ramsamy, IOC delegate member to sport for athletes with a disability, spoke about the IOC’s relationship with the IPC.

The flame-lighting ceremony for the 2012 London Paralympic Games in Stoke Mandeville;

and the earlier naming of the Paralympic Mascot, Mandeville, undoubtedly bears extraordinary testimony of the untiring efforts of Sir Ludwig Guttmann and the crucial role of competitive sport in the rehabilitative process of the disabled; and the consequent establishment of the Stoke Mandeville Games.

I recollect most vividly my discussion with Sir Ludwig in the late 1970s. His undiminished determination to internationalise the games for the impaired and to ensure its world-wide participation was his ultimate goal.

It is, therefore, most significant to learn that future Paralympic Games Torch Relays will include a leg at Stoke Mandeville.

In September 1989 Paralympic sport reached its pinnacle with the establishment of the International Paralympic Committee, so well-known as the IPC. This year the IPC celebrates 25 years of existence. A superb achievement.

May I convey the heartiest of congratulations of IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach to the IPC on your 25th anniversary. As many of you might be aware, certainly your President Sir Philip Craven, President Bach is committed to provide as much support as possible for the Paralympic Movement. For this reason he has appointed me as the IOC Delegate Member to sport for athletes with disability to create a constant and direct dialogue between our two organisations.

The IOC and the IPC have a partnership agreement continuing until 2020. I am certain that this agreement will again be renewed for a further period.

The IOC provides support for the IPC as a fully-fledged international sports organisation.

This includes favourable financial and VIK contributions. Further, the IOC has made it obligatory within the Host City Contract that the city elected to organise the Olympic Games will also host the Paralympic Games.

Therefore the host city election procedure integrates the requirements of the Paralympic Games.

We have ensured that there is one IPC representative within the evaluation and coordination commissions of the IOC.

It is a well-known fact that the incumbent President of the IPC is elected as a full-voting member of the IOC.

Your President, Sir Philip Craven, serves on several IOC Commissions. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the IOC Education and Culture Commission. His contributions were of great value in outlining the future projection of this Commission.

President Bach's Olympic Agenda 2020 initiative will be finalised in December at the IOC Session in Monte Carlo.

This initiative is to ensure that the Olympic Movement retains its position as an integral and valuable component of the global society but with specific norms of fair play and justice; and being proactive to address the challenges of a changing world.

The IPC is an integral part of this process, with representation and with special focus in a number of working groups.

We believe that such close working relationships enhance the quality and the world-wide recognition of the Paralympic Movement. Of course such recognition is also due to the commitment and dedication of your leaders since the founding of the IPC. During the term of your founding President, Robert Steadward, relations with the IOC and the IPC were consolidated. Under Sir Philip Craven the consolidation has seen the extensive growth and development of the Paralympic Movement.

Please be assured that the IOC will continue its support for the IPC and its ever-growing programme for the development of sport. This will assure a win win situation for both our institutions.

Once again, congratulations to the IPC for reaching this outstanding milestone and for a successful and fruitful future for the next 25 years.

Sam Ramsamy - 3 October 2014