Final Phase of Preparations for Beijing 2008 Paralympics Underway

"In our last Project Review with BOCOG before the Games, we saw a lot of progress. Final plans are getting in place as operational deadlines are starting to arrive."

The four-day meeting, chaired by Zhao Wenzhi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Headquarters for the Preparatory Work of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) CEO Xavier Gonzalez, focused on the review of 17 different functions and projects, including accessibility, ticketing, Paralympic Village, sport and technology. For that purpose, the respective BOCOG 2008 Departments presented plans for those key functions and responded to questions from the IPC. A visit to Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube concluded the meetings.

Said Xavier Gonzalez: "In our last Project Review with BOCOG before the Games, we saw a lot of progress. Final plans are getting in place as operational deadlines are starting to arrive."

Following the Project Review, a four-day Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Technical Delegate and Chief Classifier Preparatory Meeting was held in Beijing from 23 to 27 May. Representatives from all 20 sports on the Paralympic Programme attended.

The meeting covered all Games Official service levels for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics as well as roles and responsibilities, policies and procedures and reporting protocols necessary for ensuring the successful conduct of the competitions. Participants also had the chance to visit the final competition and training venue sites.

The meeting was the first of its kind in preparing Paralympic Games and aimed to rally the IPC, the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG) and the International Paralympic Sport Federations (IPSF) as a cohesive force in delivering a successful world class Games.