IPC and CGF Sign Co-operative Agreement

Bonn, Germany - Last week, during the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and CGF signed a co-operative agreement in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to ensure a formal institutional relationship between the two bodies and secure the future participation of elite athletes with a disability (EAD) in future Commonwealth Games. 13 Nov 2007 By IPC

Following the successful inclusion of a number of EAD events in both Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006, the IPC has proposed and the CGF Executive Board has accepted, that the number of medal events will be increased for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games to fifteen across four sports.

The co-operation agreement outlines the strong partnership between the IPC and the CGF. It recognizes the IPC as the organization for overseeing the co-ordination and delivery of the Commonwealth Games EAD sports programme and commits both organizations to work together in supporting the growth of the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Movements.

The IPC has agreed that the EAD medal events programme in future Games will reflect some events that offer opportunities based on the universal demographics of the Commonwealth (in terms of gender equity and regional representation) and others that showcase the extraordinary competitive skill and excitement of elite athletes with a disability, but may be limited to certain regions.

Said IPC President Sir Philip Craven, who was present in Sri Lanka: “We look forward to working with CGF to develop the possibilities of athletes with a disability at the Commonwealth Games and within the Commonwealth. This partnership will help to galvanize Paralympic sports development in Commonwealth countries/territories and seek to create and promote greater opportunities in sport for athletes with a disability.”

For more information about the Commonwealth Games, please see the official website at www.thecgf.com.