Beijing, China – The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is proud to announce that the first edition of ParalympicSport.TV’s news-show “SIXTY Seconds” reached more than 600,000 viewers in just two days on the YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/paralympicsporttv. Additionally, several records have been made on the YouTube Channel in terms of comparative views. The channel was number one on 10 September in a number of categories, including “Most Viewed”, “Most Viewed – Directors”, and “Most Viewed – Partners”. This week the channel was also number one in “Most Viewed – Germany”, and number 35 in “Most Viewed – Worldwide”.

The YouTube Channel of ParalympicSport.TV affords users the possibility to view different videos as well as provide comments and feedback to the videos. Many viewers have subscribed to the channel and become regular viewers, following the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Visitors can not only subscribe to the channel, but also become friends, watch favourite videos and playlists, and connect with the people of ParalympicSport.TV. On the main channel www.ParalympicSport.TV, twelve different Paralympic sports are part of the programme, including Athletics, Boccia, Cycling (Track), Football 7-a-Side, Judo, Table Tennis, Swimming, Volleyball (Sitting), Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Tennis.

ParalympicSport.TV is the IPC's official internet TV channel and has already been receiving positive feedback from fans of Paralympic Sport. It provides an opportunity to those who are interested in watching the Games conveniently on their computer.

The two channels, www.ParalympicSport.TV and www.youtube.com/paralympicsporttv, are both free of charge for everyone interested in Paralympic sports.

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are taking place from 6 to 17 September in the capital city of China, with the two co-host cities Hong Kong and Qingdao. The Games have a total of 472 medal events. Around 4,000 athletes are representing 147 delegations from around the world. Over 5,000 media representatives are in Beijing reporting on the event.

For more information about the Paralympic Games, please visit www.paralympic.org and www.beijing2008.com.

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Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Steffi Klein, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager, on e-mail: steffi.klein@paralympic.org or go to www.paralympic.org and www.ParalympicSport.TV.