Green Light 
for Athens 2004

The IPC and the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games Athens 2004 (ATHOC) signed the host city contract for the 2004 Paralympic Games on 5 April 2001. The contract was signed on behalf of both organizations by Dr. Robert Steadward, IPC President, and Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President of ATHOC.

The XII Paralympic Summer Games Athens 2004 will be staged shortly after the Olympic Games at the same competition venues. The Opening Ceremony is preliminarily scheduled for 17 September 2004. About 4,000 athletes from 120 countries are expected to take part in these elite sports competitions for athletes with a disability, making this the second-largest sporting event in the world.

“Although the signing of this contract took nearly two years, I have to say that we have a very, very happy conclusion and we are completely satisfied with our discussions over the years. We certainly recognize that changes have taken place over the past two years in preparation for the Olympic Games and we certainly recognize that all these preparations will more than meet our needs for our Games,” said IPC President Dr. Steadward.

For the first time in the history of the Paralympics, athletes with a disability will not have to pay an entry fee for participating at the Paralympic Games. They will thus be treated equitably with Olympic athletes, who have traditionally not had to pay such a fee.

“This is an illustration of the sensitivity that Athens, the Greek state and the Organizing Committee feel towards the institution and values of the Paralympic Games,” said ATHOC President Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. “The vision of the Organizing Committee for the Paralympic Games is to inspire all citizens with the passion and determination of the athletes taking part.”