IPC Academy Delivers a 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience' for Sochi 2014

IPC Academy delivered Sochi 2014 Excellence Programme workshop 26 Jul 2011 By IPC

"The information presented will truly benefit the Organizing Committee delegates in preparation for the forthcoming Winter Games."

‘Creating a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience for Athletes and Team Officials’ was the theme of the latest workshop delivered by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Academy as part of the Sochi 2014 Excellence Programme taking place from 11 to 13 July in Moscow, Russia.

The workshop addressed various areas regarding the needs and expectations of Paralympic Athletes and Team Officials in the lead up to and throughout the Paralympic Games, such as the critical success factors required to enable them to compete at their best and providing them a memorable Games experience.

Sergey Shilov, Russian six time Paralympic gold medallist in Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon, shared the athletes’ perspective of competing at the Paralympic Games with the workshop participants. Apostolos Rigas, IPC Head of Strategic Projects, and Rhodora Escanillas, IPC National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Services Manager, gave presentations on the IPC’s expectations in this area while Lambis Konstantinidis, NPC Services Manager at the London 2012 Organizing Committee, added the perspective of a Games organizing committee.

The three day workshop was attended by various departments within the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee including NPC Services, Knowledge Management, Sustainability, Environment, Culture, Event Services, Volunteer management, Communications, Food and Beverage, Planning & Coordination, Test Events Management, Ticketing, Transport, Cleaning &Waste, and Village Management.

Rhodora Escanillas, IPC NPC Services Manager said: “We are very content that the workshop was so well attended by the various departments of Sochi 2014, not only NPC Services. The participants have been very enthusiastic and actively participated in the working groups. The information presented will truly benefit the Organizing Committee delegates in preparation for the forthcoming Winter Games.”

Lambis Konstantinidis, LOCOG NPC Relations Manager, said: “Every edition of the Games should build on the successes and lessons from the past. Workshops like this give us the opportunity to share our accomplishments and challenges, and I am sure Sochi 2014 will be able to benefit from this workshop and provide a great service to the athletes and officials.”

This three day workshop is the fifth in a series of eight workshops delivered as part of the Sochi 2014 Excellence Programme. This tailor made education programme is designed to assist the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee to deliver the Winter Paralympic Games to the highest level. The programme incorporates observer programmes, simulations, mentoring and workshops which are all targeted to addressing Paralympic specific planning and operations of Games delivery in March 2014.