In its first year, the Organizational Development Initiative (ODI) is off to a great start. With nine National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) participating from four regions the ODI had officially gone global.

Bonn, Germany - Today, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced the winners of the Paralympic Awards 2007, which honour those who contribute directly to the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement.

From 10 to 12 October, the second World Press Briefing organized by the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG), took place in Beijing, China, with more than 330 media representatives (written press, photographers, news agencies) from all over the world. Representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee (VANOC) and the London 2012 Organizing Committee (London 2012) were present as well.

The city of Cheongju, Korea, was host to the 2007 IPC Archery World Championships, which took place from 2 to 10 October.

Yesterday, Podi, the Petro-Canada Paralympic Schools Programme mascot was unveiled at General Gordon Elementary School in Vancouver, Canada. The mascot was joined by Paralympic athletes and other special guests who tried their hand at Ice Sledge Hockey, Goalball and Wheelchair Basketball.

Last weekend, Gunten at Lake Thun in Switzerland was the meeting place for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes’ Council.

On the occasion of the Next Step Conference in Windhoek, Namibia, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven and UK Sport Chief Executive Officer John Steele signed a partnership agreement to continue to support the development of the Paralympic Movement through the Organizational Development Initiative (ODI), a long-term strategic investment in those organizations and their key people responsible for the delivery of sustainable and effective Paralympic sport from the grassroots to the elite level worldwide.

From 26 to 27 September, the second Project Review for the London 2012 Paralympic Games took place in London, Great Britain.

Bonn, Germany - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced today that two Ukrainian athletes in the sport of Powerlifting, tested positive for a Prohibited Substance and a sanction of two years ineligibility was imposed for their first doping offence.

On 28 September, the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) launched an online educational tool that reaches out to schools and universities throughout Canada.