IPC’s Annual Report 2012 showcases record-breaking year

The IPC’s Annual Report 2012 is now available for download. 11 Jul 2013

A picture of one man and woman in wheelchairs and one man standing watching a lightened cauldron during a ceremony

British former Paralympian Margaret Maughan lights the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

ⒸMarcus Hartmann

By IPC

“It was a year like no other, and, after taking so many steps forward, the key now is not to take a step back in 2013.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) published its 2012 Annual Report on Wednesday (10 July), reviewing what the organisation achieved during what turned out to be a historical year for the Paralympic Movement, mostly due to the London 2012 Games.

The Annual Report 2012 is now available for download.

A record-breaking 4,237 athletes from 164 countries took part in London 2012 – an event that drew 2.78 million spectators and 3.8 billion cumulative TV viewers in more than 115 countries.

These record numbers helped the IPC enhance all capacities of the Movement, particularly, athlete development, funding, media and sponsorship.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said: “In my opinion, 2012 was the greatest year yet for the Paralympic Movement with London 2012 propelling Paralympic sport into the mainstream and new audiences engaging in a new generation of household-name athletes.

“It was a year like no other, and, after taking so many steps forward, the key now is not to take a step back in 2013.”

But 2012 was not only about London, as the year also included planning for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016, as well as the launch of the IPC’s Agitos Foundation and a new-look Paralympic.org designed by the IPC’s IT Worldwide Partner Atos.

In addition, one of the year’s biggest milestones was the signing of the IPC/IOC Co-operation Agreement, which means that the 2018 and 2020 Paralympic Games will be held in the same city as the Olympic Games.

Advances took place in classification, anti-doping, sports science and medical procedures, and the IPC expanded its reach on social media and ensured its sponsors activated and extended their partnerships.

Even with the tremendous amount of success that came in 2012, it will only count in the long run if the IPC and its members continue to build on it.

Sir Philip said: “It is important that all these events help us build on the Paralympic Movement’s most successful year ever. We must all continue to enjoy working together to progress and develop our Movement for the benefit of all.”

The Annual Report 2012 also includes an overview of the IPC as an organisation, key financial figures for the organisation and a look at all nine sports under IPC management.