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INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE

Co-ordination Commission Reviews Progress in London

Bonn, Germany - The third International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co-ordination Commission for the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in 2012 took place in London, Great Britain, from 20 to 22 May. 23 May 2008 By IPC

“We are very pleased with the progress on the Paralympic planning and LOCOG’s integrated working approach."

Following three days of positive meetings, the Commission received updates from the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG), the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the other organizations involved in preparing for the Games. Furthermore, the Commission had the opportunity to tour the site of the Olympic Green in the north east of London which will also host the majority of the Paralympic sports in 2012. The area as been cleaned up and prepared and will see construction works starting during the second half of this year.

IPC Governing Board Member Patrick Jarvis attended the meeting as official IPC representative on the Commission and was joined by Arno Wolter, IPC Paralympic Games Director. Also IPC President Sir Philip Craven attended some meeting sessions in his capacity as IOC Member of the host country.

During the Paralympic working groups, LOCOG and the IPC discussed the general progress on the Paralympics over the last six months, accessibility issue as well as the strategy and achievements on the Paralympic marketing programme. Already eight Paralympic partners are on board at this stage.

Said Mr. Jarvis: “We are very pleased with the progress on the Paralympic planning and LOCOG’s integrated working approach. When entering the more detailed preparations post Beijing, the priority for LOCOG will be to define its future management structure for the Paralympic Games to cope with the increasing workload.”

The IOC Co-ordination Commission reviews the progress of the Organizing Committees on a regular basis and includes also a Paralympic working group and Paralympic topics.

The next important step for LOCOG will be to observe the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in September this year. Furthermore, LOCOG will receive the Paralympic flag at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony on 17 September, which will also kick off LOCOG’s education programme with a variety of activities at schools across the UK.