PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

WADA Symposium Highlights New Developments
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) organized a symposium from 21-22 April in Lausanne, Switzerland, providing a unique forum of information exchange between the agency and International Federations (IFs).

Beijing Games Broadcast Returns to Universal Sports
Universal Sports is officially bringing back their coverage of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games to sporting enthusiasts in the USA with a total of 28 hours of events and programming.

2016 Evaluation Commission Concludes Second Stop
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games wrapped up its second official site inspection stop on 19 April in Tokyo, Japan.

The Paralympian Gets a New Look
The official magazine of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), 'The Paralympian', has undergone a moderate change in 2009.

Sochi Focuses on Accessibility Legacy
Deputies from Russia’s State Duma and representatives of leading public organizations recently discussed Russia’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, in preparation for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. The meeting demonstrates the intensive work being brought into Russia’s national legislation toward further alignment with international standards.

Rehabilitation Congress Brings Innovation to Amsterdam
The fourth International State-of-the-art Congress for “Rehabilitation: Mobility, Exercise & Sports” (7-9 April), brought experts from all around the world to the Vrije University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Adaptive Sports Centre in Whistler Obtains Grant
The Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation recently announced a grant of US$ 150,000 toward the “Welcome and Equipment Centre at Whistler-Blackcomb”, which is part of the Whistler Adaptive Sports Programme (WASP).

IBSA General Assembly Elects Executive Committee
The eighth International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) General Assembly took place this past weekend in Antalya, Turkey, ending with the election of a new Executive Committee for the work period 2009-2013.

Open Survey Pushes London 2012 Accessibility
A major survey has been commissioned to improve accessibility in London for all people with and without a disability, for the purpose of creating the most inclusive Paralympic Games in 2012.

First Stop on 2016 Evaluation Commission Tour
On 7 April, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games finished its official site inspections in Chicago, USA.

Inclusion of Female Athletes for Ice Sledge Hockey in Vancouver 2010 Paralympics
Bonn, Germany - Responding to the request of the nations widely and regularly practising the sport of Ice Sledge Hockey, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has approved an entry provision to allow qualified teams for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games to enter female athletes to their roster should they wish.

Vancouver on Track for 2010 Winter Paralympics
The eighth International Olympic Committee (The eighth International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co-ordination Commission visit to Vancouver took place from 31 March to 1 April 2009.OC) Co-ordination Commission visit to Vancouver took place from 31 March to 1 April 2009.

Colorado Springs Hosts IPC Governing Board
Last weekend, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board (GB) concluded its 52th official meeting in Colorado Springs, USA.