International Sports Federations Come Together for IPC Sports' Council Meeting

Representatives of 24 Paralympic sports will come together in Bonn, Germany, this weekend for the annual International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Sports’ Council Meeting.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven and IPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Xavier Gonzalez will also attend the meeting, which provides an important forum for sports recognized by the IPC to exchange information, share practices and provide advice to the IPC Governing Board.

Members of the London 2012 (LOCOG) and Sochi 2014 organizing committees will also take part as well as representatives of the Asian Paralympic Committee on behalf of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games, the Guadalajara 2011 Para Panamerican Games, the World Academy of Sport and the IPC Recognized International Federations of Standing Ice Hockey and Powerchair Football as observers.

Friday will see side meetings between various sports, the organizing committees and IPC staff members, while on Saturday and Sunday the actual Sports’ Council meeting takes place. After presentations from LOCOG and Sochi 2014, topics such as sports development, anti-doping, classification, and sport independence are on the agenda.

IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez said, “I am looking forward to a very productive and fruitful weekend.

“The feedback and the advice that we get from the Sports’ Council is most valuable for the development of the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement.”

The Sports’ Council promotes the concept of 'unity and diversity' among the sports, co-ordinates the harmonization of common areas and needs related to sports, and provides consultation to the IPC Management Team in the development of the strategic direction related to sports.

Members of the IPC Development Committee and the IPC Region’s Council are also coming to Bonn for their annual meetings this weekend to discuss issues and provide feedback to the IPC in their relevant areas.