NPCs Receive Invitations to Participate in Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics

Logo Vancouver 2010

"We look forward to making the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games a truly memorable experience for Canadians and the world as we come together to celebrate extraordinary athletes and Paralympic Sport." said Furlong.

During a ceremony, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven and Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) CEO John Furlong called upon Paralympic athletes from all over the world to compete in Vancouver in March 2010.

Said Sir Philip: “I am delighted to invite all Paralympic athletes today to participate in the Winter Paralympics in March 2010. From what I have seen and heard so far, VANOC's preparations for the Games are moving ahead very well. We are all looking forward to experience the Games here in Vancouver and Whistler next year and I am sure that Paralympic athletes will once again inspire and excite the world with their performances."

Invitations were symbolically handed over to the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the British Paralympic Association and the Russian Paralympic Committee - the NPCs of the countries hosting the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Games - as well as to the Swedish Paralympic Committee - the country where the first Paralympic Winter Games were held in 1976. All other NPCs will receive their invitations during the Chef de Mission Seminar this week or via postal mail.

"Tonight, we officially welcome the global Paralympic community to Vancouver and Whistler", said Furlong. "We look forward to making the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games a truly memorable experience for Canadians and the world as we come together to celebrate extraordinary athletes and Paralympic Sport."

The Chef de Mission Seminar will continue until 21 March with delegates from around 30 NPCs as well as International Paralympic Committee (IPC) representatives participating.

During three days of meetings, the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee is presenting updates on topics including Qualification, Accreditation, Sport Entries, Classification, Sport and Venues, Transport, Paralympic Village and NPC Services.

Besides various presentations and workshops aiming at briefing the NPCs on the preparations for the Paralympics, listening to their needs and seeking their opinions and suggestions to improve the preparations, the Seminar also includes two venue tours to competition venues and the Paralympic Village.

Chefs de Mission are representatives selected by each NPC to oversee the general management of its delegation for a sporting event, e.g., World Championships and Paralympic Games.

At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, approximately 600 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete in five sports. For more information about the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, please visit the official website at www.vancouver2010.com.