Ioanna Karyofylli: Athens will Stage Unique Games!

Ioanna Karyofylli is the Paralympic Games General Manager of the Organising Committee for the Paralympic and Olympic Games ATHENS 2004. While visiting the IPC Headquarters in Bonn, Germany, The Paralympian had the chance to interview Ms. Karyofylli. We spoke about her new job and the upcoming Paralympic Summer Games.

The Paralympian: Since when are you part of the Paralympic Movement?

Ioanna Karyofylli: In 1999, I switched from the Finance Department of the Greek Ministry of Sport to a department called Development of Sports. In this department, I also dealt with questions concerning sport for persons with a disability. My first IPC General Assembly was in Salt Lake City, where I represented the Greek Ministry of Sport. In 2000, I became the second President of the Greek NPC, the Hellenic Paralympic Committee. I am also a member of the National Olympic Committee’s (NOC) Women and Sport Committee and I take care of public relations at the National Canoe/Kayak Federation for the Disabled.

TP: You were recently named Paralympic Games General Manager of the Paralympic Division of ATHENS 2004. What are the responsibilities of the Paralympic Division?

IK: I became General Manager in April 2002.The Paralympic Division currently consist of ten persons.The goal is to augment this number to 20-25.All departments considered, there are presently around 60 persons working with the preparations of the Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic Division interfaces and corresponds to all structural elements that deal with the Paralympic Games: sports, media, protocol, strategic planning and directions, budget allocation and control, staffing and central coordination of activities. The Paralympic Division is also in continuous collaboration with the International Paralympic Committee.

TP: What is the Organising Committee doing to make sure that the Games will be accessible to persons with a disability?

IK: We put a major emphasis on accessibility issues, as accessibility will be a great part of our Games legacy.We have already raised the issue at ministerial level and requested specific programs and budgets from the Ministry of Culture and Transportation for the implementation of accessibility. What is most important is that ATHENS 2004 considers accessibility a necessity for both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. Accessible communication is one of our priorities.

Two years ago we established the Accessibility Committee, which consists of experts from all ministries and public and private authorities involved. The Committee acts as a “technical consultant” to the Project Management Team, which is one of the highest state bodies. The Accessibility Committee is responsible for providing all necessary accessibility requirements for the Paralympic venues and villages, and in the area of Attica (the “state” in which Athens lies) in general.

TP: Have you identified any potential problem areas?

IK: The transportation issue is difficult.We are going to need very many busses and cars, which all have to be accessible. There is a lot of work to be done here.

TP: How does the Greek population feel about the upcoming Paralympic Games?

IK: The feelings of the Greek population have changed from year to year.We have tried to change people’s attitude through conferences, presentations and the media and today there is a big interest for the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic athletes. The Government now speaks about the Paralympic Games and the accessibility issue.We have also reached out to universities, schools and the general population with books, videos and CDs about the Paralympics. A board game has also been developed for children to play.