Bonn, Germany –  With less than two years to go before the Opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co-ordination Commission, including International Paralympic Committee (IPC) representative Rita van Driel, successfully concluded its sixth visit to Vancouver, the host city of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Following three days of positive meetings, the Commission discussed several areas, including sport, marketing and media services and looked closely at the progress made by the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee (VANOC).

Said Ms. Van Driel: “With less than 750 days to go, preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games are well underway. Venue constructions and sports planning are progressing smoothly and I am glad to see that Paralympic planning is truly integrated.”

The visit to Vancouver also included a working group focusing on Paralympic specific issues. VANOC provided updates on various topics, including ticketing, Closing Ceremony and victory ceremonies, education and media operations. Furthermore, the Commission received an update of the plans for the celebration sites during the Paralympic Games in Whistler and Vancouver as well as confirmation of increasing interest of broadcaster warranties to maintain broadcastings facilities in both cities.

Other areas addressed and for which VANOC will need to present appropriate solutions in the near future include the accommodation of the Paralympic Family in Whistler.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be held from 12 to 21 March 2010, with approximately 650 athletes from 45 countries participating in five sports.

 

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Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Steffi Klein, IPC Media and Communication Senior Manager, on tel: +49-228-2097-230, e-mail: steffi.klein@paralympic.org or go to www.paralympic.org.