2: Historic "One Bid, One City" agreement

“This agreement is the result of many years of close relationships between the IOC and the IPC. Its aim is to secure the organisation of the Paralympic Games, with full integration of both organising committees and financial guarantees.”

Since their inception in 1960, the Paralympic Games have always been held in the same year as the Olympic Games.

In Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964, the Games took place in the same city as the Olympics – but that practice was not repeated until Seoul 1988 for summer Games, and Albertville 1992 for their winter equivalent.

Since then, the Paralympics have been staged in the same city as the Olympics, with just a few weeks separating the two major sport events.

But it was not until 2001 that a formal agreement was put in place between the International Olympic Committee and the IPC, ensuring that Olympic host cities would also stage the Paralympics.

On 19 June 2001, Dr Bob Steadward OC, AOE, LLD – the IPC’s Founding President – and IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch signed the historic agreement that still benefits the Paralympic Movement to this day.

The “One Bid, One City” agreement protected the organisation of the Paralympic Games, meaning that the staging of the Paralympics is automatically included in the bid for the Olympic Games.

It formally recognised that, from 2008, the Olympic host city had an obligation to also stage the Paralympic Games, using the same venues, facilities and infrastructure.

The agreement also addressed the general scope and organisation of the Paralympic Games, with the aim of creating similar principles for the organisation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Although this practice had informally taken place since 1988, cementing this bond in the eyes of organising committees and the public was an important step.

The agreement also meant that, from the 2012 bid process, cities were fully aware that they were bidding for both Games – not just the Olympics.

Speaking after signing the agreement, President Samaranch said: “Today is an important day for the Olympic Movement.

“This agreement is the result of many years of close relationships between the IOC and the IPC. Its aim is to secure the organisation of the Paralympic Games, with full integration of both organising committees and financial guarantees.”

Since the Salt Lake City 2002 Games, one organising committee has been responsible for hosting both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.

Athletes from both Games live in the same village, and enjoy the same catering services, medical care and facilities. Ticketing, technology and transport systems for the Olympic Games are seamlessly extended to the Paralympics.

Over the years, the agreement has been extended on a number of occasions. The most recent extension was signed in June 2012, going through to Tokyo 2020.