IPC and IOC Enter Second
Phase of Cooperation
The former President of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC), Juan Antonio Samaranch, and the president of the
International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Dr. Robert Steadward,
signed an Agreement on the organization of the Paralympic
Games on 19 June in Lausanne (Switzerland).
The Agreement is aimed at securing and protecting the
organization of the Paralympic Games, and shall be in
effect for the Paralympic Games in 2008 and 2010. It addresses
the general scope and organization of the Paralympic Games,
with the aim of creating similar principles for the organization
of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"The Paralympic Games have become an established
and extremely successful event in the world of international
sport. Working more closely with the IOC in the future
will enhance the quality and the worldwide recognition
of the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games," said
the IPC President.
"Today is an important day for the Olympic Movement.
This Agreement is the result of many years of close relationship
between the IOC and the IPC. Its aim is to secure the
organization of the Paralympic Games with full integration
of both
organizing committees and financial guarantee," said
the former IOC President.
The signing of this Agreement follows the signing in
October 2000, on the occasion of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic
Games, of a Cooperation Agreement which outlined the principles
of the further relationships between the two organizations,
and represents a significant development in the IOC's
support for sport for athletes with disabilities.
The agreement reaffirms that the Paralympic Games always
take place shortly after the Olympic Games, using the
same sporting venues and facilities. There will be only
one joint organizing committee for both Olympic and Paralympic
Games. In addition, the host broadcaster of the Olympic
Games will have the obligation to produce the Paralympics
as well.
It was agreed that the sports programme for the Paralympic
Games shall contain no more than 22 sports/disciplines
for the Summer Games and eight sports/disciplines for
the Winter Games.
The IOC recognizes in the agreement that the IPC is the
international governing body for disabled sport, with
the exception of sport for the deaf and Special Olympics.
The IPC will continue to be responsible, in cooperation
with the organizing committee, for ensuring the delivery
of all specified requirements for the Paralympic Games,
and the organization and operation of the Paralympic Games.
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