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The Paralympic Movement has experienced several landmark
occasions during the past few months. On 19 June 2001
in Lausanne, the former President of the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), S.E.M. Juan Antonio Samaranch,
and I signed an Agreement on the organization of the Paralympic
Games. This Agreement allows for greater expansion of
the good relations and cooperation that exists between
the IOC and IPC. It aims to secure and protect the organization
of the Paralympic Games; and, above all, it will enhance
the quality of the Games.
At the 112th IOC Session in Moscow in July 2001, which
I attended in my position as an IOC Member, two major
elections were held: for the 2008 host city, and the new
IOC President. Many of you would have eagerly awaited
the outcome, and heard on the news, that the Chinese capital
Beijing was awarded the right to host the 2008 Olympic
and Paralympic Summer Games. The presentation by the Beijing
Bid Committee was excellent and I am sure that they will
embrace the Paralympics with great enthusiasm. I would
like to take this opportunity to warmly thank Bob McCullough
for serving as the IPC representative on the IOC Evaluation
Commission.
A new era began in the IOC with the election of Dr. Jacques
Rogge as the new IOC President. On behalf of the IPC,
I congratulate President Rogge and look forward to a continuous
excellent relationship between our two organizations.
I wish to also express my heartfelt thanks to former President
Samaranch for his personal commitment in promoting the
universality of sport, in both the Olympic and Paralympic
sporting worlds, and for his tremendous support of the
Paralympic Movement in its activities throughout the years.
Our IPC members will have an opportunity to view the
Games preparations and venue sites in Athens, when they
assemble there for the 9th General Assembly on 7 and 8
December 2001. I urge all our members to give their full
participation and support at this very important General
Assembly. The Paralympic Movement, having grown rapidly
in recent years, has reached a crossroads and must decide
on future strategic directions. You, our membership, will
elect the next Executive Committee and will continue to
deal with the challenging issues raised at the IPC Congress
in Kuala Lumpur in April. Let us approach this prevailing
process in our history with an open mind and spirit of
integrity.
The VIII Paralympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002
is little more than six months away, which means that
our athletes, coaches, team officials and volunteers,
are working hard towards another great sports event. Our
Movement faces a time of change, change that we must be
prepared to accept if we want to move forward. But, one
thing will remain constant regardless of other changes,
and that is the excellent performances of elite athletes
with a disability that form the memorable moments of any
of our Games. I wish you all the best and sincerely hope
that your hard work is being rewarded with progress and
achievement. Certainly, as your President, I would like
to express my sincere "thank you".
Dr. Robert D. Steadward, O.C., LLD (Hons.)
President |
