Many might not be aware of it, but when it comes to sports and historic events one might have been overlooked by the media.

We are hearing that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have made it official and signed a significant long-term agreement that officially establishes a partnership with the two organisations until 2032.

The acknowledge continues to build on the present partnership and agreements that were officially signed prior to the start of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The new partnership will see the following:

• The IOC will continue to make it obligatory for any host of the Olympic Games also to organise the Paralympic Games.
• The IOC and IPC will work together to increase the visibility of the Paralympic Games and enhance the Paralympic brand.
• The two organisations will deepen existing cooperation, specifically on the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.
• The agreement will give financial stability to the IPC for at least the next 14 years, from which in turn the whole Paralympic Movement will benefit.

IOC President Thomas Bach mentioned “Enhancing the co-operation between the Olympic and Paralympic Movement was one of the key

President Thomas Bach

recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020. Therefore, the IOC is pleased to strengthen its substantial support to the IPC and the entire Paralympic Movement because we share so many of the same values and objectives.”

IPC President Andrew Parsons told the media “Strengthening the relationship with the IOC and securing the future of the IPC and the

President Andrew ParsonsParalympic Movement was my number one priority when I was elected as IPC president last September. Therefore, I am delighted that we have signed a historic long-term new partnership agreement and can now look forward to an exciting future working together. There can be no doubts that the IPC and the Paralympic Movement would not be where it is today without the support and cooperation with the IOC. Since our first formal agreement signed in 2000, the Paralympic Games and the Movement as a whole has grown beyond all recognition.”

1988 Seoul Plus 30 Years

The Republic of Korea first participated in the Tel Aviv 1968 Summer Paralympic Games and 50 years later, PyeongChang host the event.

In the Seoul Games there were 159 Nations represented by a total of 8,391 Athletes that saw 263 events held utilizing 27,221 volunteers, plus the 11,331 media attending.

The host nation has a unique history with the Paralympic Games and it was in 1998 in Seoul that both was the first time that the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games were held together in the same city.

It also marked the beginning that the Paralympic Games had its own athlete village and official torch relay.

We are hearing that there could be 30 Korean athletes competing in the six (6) Paralympic events at PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Mr Parsons commented that the Republic of Korea was a fitting location for the announcement, given the country’s history supporting the Paralympic Games.

“Both organisations share a passion that sport can change lives and that sport can change the world.

“It is fitting that this agreement is signed here in South Korea, as it was in this country that the Olympic and Paralympic Games came together as one sport event in Seoul in 1988.

Thirty years on, we are here in PyeongChang for the biggest Paralympic Winter Games to date featuring a record number of athletes, countries, broadcasters and media.”