PARALYMPIC EXHIBITION

As part of the new IPC Campus, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has ambitions to host a permanent Paralympic Exhibition which provides visitors with a greater insight into the transformational impact our activities have around the world.

Produced with inclusion and accessibility at its core, the exhibition will focus on the theme of “Change Starts with Sport” and feature several different zones.

Visitors with a vision impairment will enjoy audio guides, descriptive audio videos and tactile interfaces. People with an intellectual impairment will have Easy Read text to read or listen to. All exhibits will be optimised for wheelchair users or people with short stature. Audio will have an accompanying sign language version.

The ambition to make the Paralympic Exhibition a reality has taken a step closer with some funding towards its production already secured from Landesverband Rheinland.

Here is a glimpse of what we want to create.

To the left, a big wall recognises the history of the building and IPC's presence in the German state of NRW. To the right, Paralympic mascots from previous Games editions hang from a structure inside playful glass bubbles.

CHANGE

The opening area, “CHANGE” will introduce the IPC’s vision for an inclusive world through Para sport. Visitors will learn about the transformational impact of the Paralympic Movement around the world and how, through Para sport, we advance the broader disability rights movement.

A wheelchair accesible desk with a tactile globe, a screen and handsets are placed next to the IPC flag and a bench.

We are extremely proud that our work empowers and creates greater opportunities for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities, and this area will showcase some of the tremendous legacies of previous Paralympic Games.

STARTS

The “STARTS” area will immerse visitors in the IPC and Paralympic Movement’s vibrant history highlighting key milestones and figures starting from the first Paralympic Games in 1960 through to the present day.

A wall displaying British Paralympian Jonnie Peacock appears to the left. To the right, a wall displaying the gold, silver and bronze medals from all Summer and Winter Games editions appear in chronological order.

Featuring extensive medal and torch collections from previous Games, the area will also include a timeline that displays the growth of the Paralympics into one of the world’s biggest sport events. Emotional films of outstanding sporting performances will excite visitors as they learn more about the evolution of the Paralympic Games.

WITH

The “With” area highlights the collective power of the Paralympic Movement to make a difference.

A large wall displays the logos and emblems of all IPC Member organisations. At the back, another wall displays the Worldwide Paralympic Partner logos.

The IPC serves its 200 plus member organisations to advance the Paralympic Movement and an extensive wall graphic will showcase all National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, Regional Organisations and International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled.

An accompanying screen will allow visitors to learn how the IPC’s global development programmes are advancing our members and creating greater opportunities for persons with disabilities to practice sport and achieve excellence.

An additional wall will recognise the support of our Worldwide Paralympic Partners.

SPORT

In the “SPORT” area, Para sport comes to life.

Here, visitors dive into the Paralympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games, learning about the different sports and classifications.

The room’s design uses floor graphics with line markings from sports like wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and Para athletics. Tactile exhibits like sports balls, prosthetics and wheelchairs allow visitors to interact with Para sport equipment.

Large screens show trailers of the upcoming Paralympic Games and athlete greetings from all over the world.

REGIONAL HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE

On the Garden level, visitors will explore the IPC’s connection to North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), and the IPC Campus’s past as the former State Representation of NRW.

A vibrant gallery of Paralympic mascots highlights the colourful, joyful spirit of the Games. Displayed in playful, hanging glass bubbles, the mascots invite interaction. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite mascot at a dedicated station featuring a tactile mascot figure.

A planned wheelchair obstacle course will encourage visitors to test their skills, while an original winners' podium from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will offer a unique photo opportunity.

LA28 Paralympic Games