Signing of Agreement for Solleftea Paralympic Winter World Cup,

Photo: IPC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Sweden today signed an agreement that outlines the main topics relevant to the organization of the first Paralympic Winter World Cup to be held in Solleftea, Sweden, in 2009 and 2011.

The Paralympic Winter World Cup will be an exciting event for elite winter sport athletes with a disability and one of the biggest international biannual multi-sport competitions outside of the Paralympic Winter Games.

Sanctioned by the IPC, all five Paralympic Winter sports (Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling) will be showcased over a week of competition.

The event will provide a platform for Paralympic athletes from all over the world to compete at the highest level and represent their country. The Paralympic Winter World Cup will play a critical role in providing competition between Paralympic Winter Games. Patron of the event will be HRH Queen Silvia of Sweden.

The Paralympic Winter World Cup will replace the Solleftea Winter Games which have taken place every two years since 1995.

The signing ceremony that took place on the occasion of the IPC General Assembly in Seoul, Korea, was attended by IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez, Kari Marklund, President of the Swedish NPC, Stig Carlsson, General Secretary of the Swedish NPC, Eric Angstadt, IPC Winter Sports Manager as well as Elysabeth Bystrom  and Jenny Karlsson from the Solleftea Organizing Committee.

The experience of the Local Organizing Committee and the characteristics of the excellent location will make this a unique event within the International calendar of Paralympic Winter sports.

For more information, please see the official website at www.paralympicwinterworldcup.com .