Paralympic Games Center of Attention in Beijing
Beijing, China - Today, representatives of the next four Paralympic Games - Torino 2006, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 - gathered during the 2005 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly in Beijing, China.
The Organizing Committees, who each presented an update to the delegates at today's session of the General Assembly, participated in a combined press conference, giving a brief update on the status of each of the Paralympic Games.
IPC President Sir Philip Craven welcomed the representatives as a collection of both new and old friends of the Paralympic Movement. The general message presented by all Organizing Committees was the unified manner each committee was taking towards the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cesar Vaciago, TOROC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Tiziana Nazi, President of the Paralympic Committee of Torino 2006 (COMPARTO) reported on the developments to be made by both organizations over the next four months. Mr. Vaciago jokingly added: "The Olympics are becoming an expensive introduction to the Paralympics." Ms. Nazi released information about the Torch Relay, which will begin in the Italian capital, Rome, and then continue to Torino for the Opening Ceremony.
Construction of the venues for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics are well underway. Wang Wei, Executive Vice-President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG) announced that BOCOG will be providing subsidies for all delegate members to cover the cost of travel to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Said Mr. Wang: "Our goal is to achieve equal splendor for both Games."
Mr. Wang's view was shared by Patrick Jarvis, a member of the VANOC 2010 Board of Directors. Mr. Jarvis emphasized the integrated planning and delivery model being adopted by VANOC, stating that the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be "one festival, two events, 27 days of sport and 60 days of celebration."
The most recent addition to the table was London 2012. Keith Mills, London 2012 CEO, briefly reported on the developments made by London 2012, since its election as host city in July. Mr. Mills also underlined the public support by the people of Great Britain for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For further information, please contact Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Director on +86-1-343-910-2298, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or http://www.paralympic.org/,
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of sports for athletes with a disability. It supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games and other multi-disability competitions, of which the most important are World and Regional Championships. The IPC also supports the recruitment and development of athletes at a local, national and international level across all performance levels.
The Organizing Committees, who each presented an update to the delegates at today's session of the General Assembly, participated in a combined press conference, giving a brief update on the status of each of the Paralympic Games.
IPC President Sir Philip Craven welcomed the representatives as a collection of both new and old friends of the Paralympic Movement. The general message presented by all Organizing Committees was the unified manner each committee was taking towards the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cesar Vaciago, TOROC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Tiziana Nazi, President of the Paralympic Committee of Torino 2006 (COMPARTO) reported on the developments to be made by both organizations over the next four months. Mr. Vaciago jokingly added: "The Olympics are becoming an expensive introduction to the Paralympics." Ms. Nazi released information about the Torch Relay, which will begin in the Italian capital, Rome, and then continue to Torino for the Opening Ceremony.
Construction of the venues for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics are well underway. Wang Wei, Executive Vice-President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG) announced that BOCOG will be providing subsidies for all delegate members to cover the cost of travel to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Said Mr. Wang: "Our goal is to achieve equal splendor for both Games."
Mr. Wang's view was shared by Patrick Jarvis, a member of the VANOC 2010 Board of Directors. Mr. Jarvis emphasized the integrated planning and delivery model being adopted by VANOC, stating that the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be "one festival, two events, 27 days of sport and 60 days of celebration."
The most recent addition to the table was London 2012. Keith Mills, London 2012 CEO, briefly reported on the developments made by London 2012, since its election as host city in July. Mr. Mills also underlined the public support by the people of Great Britain for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For further information, please contact Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Director on +86-1-343-910-2298, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or http://www.paralympic.org/,
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of sports for athletes with a disability. It supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games and other multi-disability competitions, of which the most important are World and Regional Championships. The IPC also supports the recruitment and development of athletes at a local, national and international level across all performance levels.