OOFFICIALFFICIAL MAGAZINEMAGAZINE OOFF THETHE PPARALYMPICARALYMPIC MOVEMENTMOVEMENT E

H ISSUE # 02 | 2017 THE T

RAINING RECORDS The 2017 World Para Athletics Championships broke records both on and off the track.

NEWS FEATURE INTERVIEW Coming up, 2024 Meet new IPC President Alpine skiing legend plans to

and 2028 Andrew Parsons quit after PyeongChangTHE PARALYMPIAN 2018 02|2017 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“Despite the busy start, I have not taken my focus off the fact that as IPC President I am responsible for leading the Governing Board in setting the strategic direction of the organisation.“

Dear friends, Next year we will start a full review of the IPC Governance Structure where the whole elcome to this edition of The of the membership and every one of our Paralympian, my fi rst as IPC constituencies, mainly the athletes, will have President. the possibility to contribute and be listened to.

I must say that I left Sep- This edition of The Paralympian looks back at tember’sW IPC General Assembly excited and a busy summer of World Championships, looks honoured about being elected by the IPC ahead to upcoming and membership, but also really well aware of the profi les the outstanding work that is being done tremendous responsibility I have to lead the by the NPCs of Laos and Peru. There is also ad- Paralympic Movement. vice on how to live stream a sport event and details of the latest benefi ciaries of the Agitos Under the guidance of my predecessor Sir Foundation’s Grant Support Programme. Philip Craven, the IPC and the Movement 12 experienced exponential growth. As a result Finally, this magazine also pays tribute to the Paralympic Games are now regarded as Jose Luis Campo, one of the Paralympic Bob Martin (Olympic Information Services) captured this stunning image of German the world’s number one sporting event for Movement’s most valued members who high jumper Reinhold Botzel clearing the driving social inclusion. sadly passed away in October. I called him bar at Rio 2016. Martin received the Paralympic Award for Best Photography “Maestro” as he taught me so much about for this photo in September. Moving forward, the IPC must continue to off er Para Sport and I hope in the years to come I open, collaborative and strong leadership, can display the same levels of passion and while supporting all of our 202 members more enthusiasm he had for the Paralympic Move- than ever. ment. He led the way in supporting athletes with high support needs and it is fi tting that in Since my election, I have enjoyed a busy few this edition we look at what more can be done months introducing myself to many stake- to create more opportunities for this particular holders within the Paralympic and Olympic group of athletes. Movements. This has included meetings with IOC President Bach, IPC commercial partners Happy reading! and broadcasters, IPC staff and committee members and the leaders of the PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committees.

Despite the busy start, I have not taken my focus off the fact that as IPC President I am respon- sible for leading the Governing Board in set- Andrew Parsons ting the strategic direction of the organisation. IPC President

2 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 3 CONTENTS

THE PARALYMPIAN

EDITOR Craig Spence ASSISTANT EDITORS Ros Dumlao, Emma Storey CONTRIBUTOR 58 Hernan Goldzycher GRAPHIC DESIGN Designfee – Bianca Werninghaus ART EDITORS Yosof Rohesh, Mariel Avalos, Annika Zeyen PRINTING welzel + hardt GmbH All rights reserved © 2017 International Paralympic Committee ISSN 1609-1329

CONTACT International Paralympic Committee Adenauerallee 212-214 D-53113 Bonn, Germany Tel. +49 228 2097-200 Fax +49 228 2097-209 [email protected] www.paralympic.org

IMAGES © Photo Credits: Getty Images (p.1/3/4/6/7/8/9/ 11/15/16/17/20/21/25/26/30/31/32/34/38/39/ 40/41/42/48/49/52/53/54/55/62/63/65/67/69); Olympic Information Services (p.2/13/65); Bob Martin (p.4/14/26/27/32/50/51); Sven Bruggeman (p.5/58/68); Lui Che Woo (p.6); Eamonn M. McCormack (p.7); Dan Galbraith (p.10); Silvie Hrbackova (p.14); Canadian Paralympic Committee (p.15/57); NPC (p.15); POCOG (p.16/17/62/63); Tokyo 2020 (p.18/19); Noun Project (p.18/23/41); 2022 (p.19); Jean-Marie Hervio KMSP (p.20); Australian Paralympic Committee (p.23); Lao Paralympic Committee (p.24/25); 123rf.com (p.28/45/60/62); Andrea Carloni (p.29/33); CBDV Leandro Martins MPIX CPB (p.35/70); CBDV 50 Tadeu Casqueira CBDV (p.35); Wander Roberto Inovafoto CBDV (p.35); Jetze Plat (p.36/37); Dr. Robert Steadward (p.41); Marcio Rodrigues/ MPIX/CPB (p.42); Asian Paralympic Committee (p.43); British Paralmypic Association (p.43); 06 GENERAL NEWS 22 AGITOS FOUNDATION 32 HOW TO … 44 CASE STUDY 60 MY GAMES EXPERIENCE NPC Peru (p.44/45/46); UCI (p.53); World Archery (p.55); Igor Meijer (p.56/57); World Taekwondo (p.59); Jouko Grip (p.60/61); Gavin Crawford (p.63); Jim Hall (p.63); Heinz Schaefer Find out who received the 2017 Paralympic The IPC’s development arm went global Three organisations share the benefi ts of live Lucha Villar did not give up on NPC Peru. Paralympic Hall of Famer Jouko Grip relives and Hans Kaulich (p.63); Oriol Molas (p.63); James Netz (p.63); BWF (p.64); Alan Spink Awards and Paralympic Orders, which part- with its education toolkit I’mPOSSIBLE, streaming a competition, factors to consider Read how her determination helped build the some of his most memorable moments of his (p.64); Jan Nervkla (p.66); Roman Benicky ners extended and an update on the Russian and also announced the projects receiving when it comes to Para sports and helpful tips. organisation from scratch. sporting career. (p.67); Ralf Kukuck (p.68); Bruno Battocletti (p.68); NPC (p.69); NPC Ireland (p.69); Paralympic Committee’s suspension. funding for Para sport development. NPC Iceland (p.69); Liz Gregg (p.69); Ayrton Senna (p.69); Melanie Challe (p.69)

The views expressed in The Paralympian are not 14 SPORT NEWS 28 DIGITAL DYNAMICS 36 A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF … 48 PYEONGCHANG WINTER 66 THE BIG DEBATE necessarily those of the IPC. In case of republi- cation of any part of The Paralympian, please WONDERS send a copy to the IPC. The publisher reserves the right to edit submitted articles. The International Team VISA is supporting four athletes Discover which fi ve winter sport athletes Take a ride in the racing chair/handbike of Athletes with high support needs are one Paralympic Committee endeavours to be as cur- ahead of PyeongChang 2018, Japan made are worth following ahead of PyeongChang Jetze Plat as he prepares for his fi rst Ironman. From in Rio to Nordic skiing – of the smallest groups in the Movement. rent and accurate as possible with this publica- tion, aiming to treat all readers with courtesy and football 5-a-side history and the latest 2018. the USA’s Oksana Masters is a one-of-a-kind What can be done to increase their respect. We cannot guarantee however, that the information contained in this publication is com- news from International Federations. athlete. participation? plete and accurate in all respects and readers are taken to understand and agree to this disclaimer upon reading any part of The Paralympian. No infringements upon any law, including sport regu- lations, from people within the photographs and/ 16 FUTURE GAMES NEWS 30 ONES TO WATCH INTERVIEW 38 FEATURE 50 WORLD SPORT ROUND-UP 70 THE LAST WORD or featured in the magazine’s content were known at the time of publication. Articles, pictures and other written or graphic devices published in The Paralympian may not be reproduced without PyeongChang 2018 tickets are on sale! Germany’s alpine skiing sensation The IPC is ringing in a new era with Lots of World Championship action! In memory of Jose Luis Campo, a legend the prior written permission of the International Plus more on Paris 2024 and Los Angeles Anna Schaff elhuber refl ects on the 2017 its third President in history – ’s Find out what happened in archery, athletics, for the Movement in the Americas. Paralympic Committee. 2028 hosting the next Paralympics. World Championships and plans after Andrew Parsons. canoe, cycling, rowing, triathlon and more. PyeongChang 2018.

4 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 5 GENERAL NEWS

Channel 4 Rio 2016 advert recognised

British broadcaster Channel 4 received more worldwide recognition for their Paralympic advert “We’re the Superhumans,” scooping IPC Commercial and Marketing the Cannes Lions Award in Entertainment Sports: Film, Series and Audio. Director named young leader

Channel 4’s campaign beat out Pepsico’s “The Rugby Boys of Memphis” and Budweiser/ESPN’s “The Debut” docu- mentary. The award was one of several handed out during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

It recognises excellent examples of sports entertainment in fi lms, documentaries, series, livestreams and audio content. Win- ning entries have sport at their core and aim to amplify a brand’s message and increase audience engagement.

Channel 4’s advert also took the Silver Lion in Excellence in Sponsorship or Partner- ships in Sports Entertain- ment. IPC Commercial and Marketing Director Alexis The ad brought Schaefer was among those named to the pres- totogether a world tigious Leaders Under 40 Awards Class of 2017 record 160 in the ‘Leadership category’ by the Leaders and diff erent people Aspire Academy. with an impair- mentment. Dancers, gymnasts, A black Awards Dinner was held at the iconic The IPC was named one of three attended by more than a thousand diff erent countries, are all role mo dels rock stars, a rally driver Natural History Museum in London, Great Britain, laureates for the prestigious LUI esteemed guests who believe in the in their respective fi elds,” said Dr. Lui and a rock climber, and a on 3 October during Leaders Week. With an audi- Che Woo Prize – Prize for World value of sharing harmony promoted Che Woo, Founder & Chairman of the child with prosthetic limbs ence of over 500 established and inspiring lead- Civilisation, winning the Positive by the Prize. Representatives and Board of Governors cum Prize Coun- all featured along- ers in the room, all 42 candidates selected for the Energy category, with the Specif- athletes from NPC Hong Kong were cil of the LUI Che Woo Prize. “The side British Para Class of 2017 were recognised for their achieve- ic Area of Focus on “Promotion of also in attendance. three laureates not only contribute athletes who went on ments and for the impact they have made to their Harmony among Diverse Groups.” to advancing world civilisation, but to star at Rio 2016. discipline, organisation and sport. “I would just want to say how proud also fully demonstrate the spirit of The Paralympic Movement’s global I am of what the IPC and Paralympic ‘gratefulness,’ ‘unity’ and ‘harmony.’ Around 580 nominations were received over the governing body was recognised for Movement has achieved to date. I hope that you will continue to sup- nine-month campaign. The categories included its outstanding work in encouraging Thanks to this prize we can do even port the LUI Che Woo Prize and share this year were Digital, Entrepreneurship, Lead- Para athletes around the world in more to show to the world that with our vision for building a peaceful and ership, Marketing & Communications, Sales, and celebration and competitive parti- positive energy absolutely anything is loving world, so that this seed will Legal & Governance. cipation in sports, changing the possible in life,” said Sir Philip. grow sustainably and spread more society’s long-held biases towards positive energy in the society.” “To be recognised by such a quality jury for this people with an impairment, and off e r- Each laureate received a cash award prestigious award is an honour for me,” said ing hope to them. of HKD 20 million (equivalent to The LUI Che Woo Prize is an inter- Schaefer, who has worked at the IPC for 14 years. approximately USD 2.56 million), a national, cross-sector, innovative prize. “This is a consequence of the huge eff ort made Sir Philip Craven, former IPC Presi- certifi cate and a trophy. In order to address ever-evolving global not only by the IPC Commercial and Marketing dent, received the award on behalf needs and challenges, each year the Team, but also by the entire IPC Management of the IPC during a ceremony in “The three laureates of the LUI Che Prize will set a Specifi c Area of Focus Team during 2017, which was both exhausting and Hong Kong in October. The event was Woo Prize this year, coming from under each Prize Category. rewarding.”

6 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|20201717 THE PARALYMPIANPARALYMPIAN 02|22017017 7 GENERAL NEWS + + NEWS IN-BRIEF + +

+++ KAZAKHSTAN, BELGIUM: Toyota Motor Kazakhstan and NPC Kazakhstan signed an agreement. The two will work together to promote the brand of the nation’s Paralympic team at Paralympic Games and other sporting competitions until 2024. NPC Belgium and Toyota signed an agreement until the 2024 The 2016 Annual Report was published online, Paralympic Games which will benefi t the providing an update on the IPC’s progress in country’s Para athletes in their preparations. meeting the six strategic objectives outlined in its Strategic Plan 2015-2018. The report also high- +++ USA: BP will sponsor the US national teams lights the progress made by the 10 Para sports for cycling, swimming, track and fi eld, alpine for which the IPC acts as international federation skiing, Nordic skiing and snowboarding in their during the last 12 months. respective preparations for PyeongChang 2018 Key highlights include: and Tokyo 2020.

■ Successful delivery of Rio 2016, the best +++ WADA: The World Anti-Doping Paralympic Games to date in terms of athletic AgencyA (WADA) published the 2018 performance ListL of Prohibited Substances and ■ Record growth in global TV audiences Methods.M The list can be found at for the Paralympics to a cumulative audience www.wada-ama.orgw and takes of 4.1 billion people in 154 countries effe ect on 1 January 2018.

■ Record digital engagement for the +++ SWITZERLAND:S NPC Switzer- Paralympic Movement with activities landland extendedexte its partnership with Swiss reaching 1.6 billion people Andy Parkinson is the independent chairperson heading the Taskforce that assists the IPC in determining whether the RPC has met the reinstatement criteria. International Airlines (SWISS) until 2020. PERCENTAGE GROWTH OF @PARALYMPICS ■ Participation at Rio 2016 of the +++ : NPC New Zealand Independent Paralympic Athletes team The IPC Governing Board decided to main- the reinstatement criteria – highlighted that and its commercial partners ACC, Cadbury and featuring two refugee athletes tain the suspension of the Russian Paralympic seven key measures still need to be met Sanford took top honours in the commercial ■ Strong and eff ective governance in the Committee (RPC), with a further review due before it is able to recommend the reinstate- partnership category at the 2017 New Zealand face of one of the biggest ever crises in the later this year following the WADA Foundation ment of the RPC: +413% Sport and Recreation Awards, the country’s Paralympic Movement Board meeting. * place in growth for most prestigious sports industry awards. ■ The fi nalisation of the RPC Anti-Doping international sports federations ■ Renewal of partnership agreements with However, it has put in place a limited interim Rules, to be approved by the Taskforce Ottobock, Allianz and BP through to 2020, +++ BROADCASTING: TVNZ and Attitude measure for Russian athletes to compete as ■ The approval of the RPC’s constitution and the signing of a Memorandum of Under- Pictures, who brought live and free-to-air neutrals in qualifi cation events across four by the IPC membership department standing with the IOC through to 2032 coverage of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games sports for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic ■ Completion of all budget-related as- to 2.2 million viewers last year, extended their ■ The continued work of the Agitos Foundation Winter Games, subject to meeting certain pub- pects of the reinstatement criteria media partnership with the IPC to bring +104% +92% in developing Para sport around the world. lished conditions. ■ The provision and confi rmation of cer- key Para sport events to New Zealand tain additional information by the RPC audiences until 2020. This limited interim measure is intended to regarding personnel and governance preserve the ability of the RPC to enter its qual- (reinstatement criteria 10 and 14.2), +++ IPC: DB Schenker and Nielsen Sports both ifi ed athletes into PyeongChang 2018 should it as specifi ed by the Taskforce extended their agreements with the IPC until have its suspension lifted in time. The IPC also ■ The provision of further 3rd* 4th* 6th* the end of 2020. Nielsen is the global leader hopes this decision will further encourage the information relating to the in insights, analytics and consulting solutions RPC and crucially the Russian authorities to composition of the RPC board, in sport and will help the IPC optimise its The IPC’s social media accounts enjoyed to No. 9, recording close to 99 per cent meet the remaining reinstatement criteria as to be defi ned by the Taskforce commercial strategy leading up to the 2020 one of the biggest growths among sports growth across all four platforms. soon as possible. (reinstatement criterion 12) Paralympics. DB Schenker will provide logistics, governing bodies, breaking into the top ■ The full reinstatement of the courier services, freight forwarding and customs 10 in the most followed accounts in the There was signifi cant development in The sports where Russian athletes meeting the Russian Anti-Doping Agency clearance services for a number of IPC events, world. @Paralympics on I nstagram, which saw pre-determined conditions will be allowed to (RUSADA) by the World including the upcoming Paralympics. the third highest growth rate with 413 compete as neutrals in alpine skiing, biathlon, Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) A report from Sportcal Social Media per cent; its Twitter account was the cross-country skiing and snowboard. Under ■ The provision of an offi cial +++ EUROPE: The IPC struck an agreement Index 2017 analysed the growth and fourth highest among international fed- the sport rules for Para ice hockey, Russia has response specifi cally and with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) development of the top 65 sports erations with a 104 per cent growth rate; already missed the opportunity to qualify for adequately addressing the that covers media rights on all platforms for governing bodies’ media accounts and Facebook enjoyed a 92 per cent PyeongChang 2018. fi ndings made by Professor PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020. The new across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and growth rate, the sixth highest. McLaren. agreement covers all EBU territories, except YouTube. In an update to the IPC Governing Board on 3 the Russia and the ; Channel 4 In the lead-up to and during the Rio September, the IPC Taskforce – responsible The IPC will provide its next up- secured exclusive UK broadcast rights until after The IPC was the only major mover in 2016 Paralympics, the IPC’s social me- for monitoring the RPC’s progress in meeting date on the RPC in late December. Tokyo 2020. the top 10 in the overall rank and per- dia activity ultimately reached 1.6 billion centage growth for international sports people through various content, such as Full details and background on the RPC’s suspension: federations, as it moved up seven places feature series and event-based materials. www.paralympic.org/russian-paralympic-committee-suspension

8 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 9 GENERAL NEWS

The eighth and largest VISTA Con- Victoria Goosey-Tolfrey was ference gathered more than 300 awarded the Scientifi c Award and sports scientists and researchers from delivered a keynote speech at VISTA 2017 41 countries to provide a forum for exchange on current information, exper- tise on Paralympic sport science and the Paralympic Movement. It concluded in Toronto, Canada, on 24 September, and was organised through a partnership between the IPC, the Canadian Paralym- pic Committee (CPC) and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) and was presented by Pfi zer Canada Inc.

“This conference was very successful,” said Marc-André Fabien, president of the CPC. “We thank the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto for their exceptional support. And also Pfi zer Canada Inc. for being a fantastic partner.”

The theme of this year’s conference was: “Opportunities and challenges in Paralympic sport science and medicine support.”

“It was a fantastic conference,” said Dr. Yves Vanlandewijck, chairperson of the IPC’s Scientifi c Committee. “I would like to thank all the contributors for the quality they bring to the conference. Science is important because science brings knowledge and brings under- standing and brings debate.’’

Britain’s Victoria Goosey-Tolfrey was Toyota aims to off er mobility services and presented with the Scientifi c Award on logistics expertise. The fi rst “Start Your the opening night and each day’s ses- Impossible” fi lm, “Mobility for All,” introduces sions were launched by major interna- transportation solutions that are being devel- tional Paralympic sports researchers Toyota Motor Corporation launched “Start Your oped for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and scientists as the keynote speakers. Impossible” – a global corporate campaign Tokyo 2020. Going forward, “Start Your that aims to inspire Toyota employees, part- Impossible” will also include a variety of Those keynote speakers were Dr. Cheri ners, and customers and connect them with additional programmes focused on employ- Blauwet of Harvard Medical School, the company’s core beliefs. ees, dealers and consumers, as well as an Dr. Rory Cooper of the University of ongoing commitment to developing mobility Pittsburgh and Canada’s own Dr. Laura Toyota believes that mobility goes beyond cars; solutions, including in collaboration with the Misener from Western University. it is about overcoming challenges and making Toyota Mobility Foundation. dreams come true. The “Start Your Impossi- In total there were 132 oral and poster ble” campaign refl ects these values and high- Toyota also launched a new website built to be presentations, and 10 interactive work- lights the company’s to provide freedom accessible for users with various impairments shops. of mobility for all. and to allow all users to experience the site and all its content. The next VISTA conference will be held As the fi rst mobility sponsor of the Olympics in 2019 in , . Games and Paralympic Games from 2020, www.MobilityForAll.com

10 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 11 PARALYMPIC AWARDS

2017 Paralympic Award Winners PARALYMPICPARALYMPIC OORDERRDER RERECIPIENTSCIPIENTS

BEST FEMALE BEST WRITTEN 4 The 2017 Paralympic Sport and Media Awards, supported by Allianz, Omara Durand (Cuba) Marca () athletics Spectacular daily 1 2 3 5 6 honouring achievements from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were The world’s fastest coverage of the female Paralympian Games, including announced in Abu Dhabi, UAE. won a trio of gold two full pages in print medals, smashing her about the competi- own world records in tion. They told inspir- the 100m and 400m ing human stories, BEST BROADCAST BEST OFFICIAL BEST FEMALE BEST MALE DEBUT T12 and setting a including four pages DEBUT Paralympic record in on the day of the Canadian Paralympic Broadcast Kate McLoughlin, Laurens Devos the 200m T12. Opening Ceremony. Consortium Australian Paralympic () (Belgium) table tennis 1 SIR PHILIP CRAVEN 2 ANN CODY Committee (APC) wheelchair fencing BEST TEAM The Canadian Paralympic Became the youngest Five-time Paralympian, Three-time US Paralympi- Committee acquired domestic The APC’s fi rst female Captured gold in the male Paralympic table BP COURAGE Turkish women’s former President of an in wheelchair basket- broadcast and digital rights to Chef de Mission of women’s individual tennis champion aged AWARD goalball team IWBF and IPC President ball and athletics and IPC Rio 2016, creating the Canadian any Paralympic team. foil category B aged 16 after winning gold 2001−2017 Governing Board member Ammar Hadi Ali (Iraq) In their fi rst appear- Paralympic Broadcast Media Her leadership and 19. Was the only in the men’s singles 2005–2017 wheelchair fencing ance at a Paralympic Consortium. The group support for the 177 quadruple-amputee class 9 without drop- Games, Turkey upset included high profi le athletes and 150 in international wheel- ping a single set in the BEST MALE Persevered despite favourites and three- 3 KARL VILHELM 4 MIGUEL media organisations offi cials leading up chair fencing and also fi nals. personalpersonal challengeschc allenges time Paralympic silver NIELSENNIELSEN SAGARRASAGARRA Siamand RahmanRahmanm working together in to and during Rio led the Italian team to and adversityadversity due to medallists China 4-1 (Iran) powerliftingpowerliftingf ParalympicParalympic coveracoverage.ge. 20162016 helpedhelped Australia a bronze medal in the Three-timeThree-time ParalympianParalympian SecretarySecretary GeneralGeneral ofof NPCNPC the IraqiIraqi cconflonflfl ict; won to claim their maiden achieve fi fthfth placeplace in teamteam fofoil.il. and ChairpersonChairperson ofof the Spain;Spain; IPCIPC Vice President World’s strongeststronggeg st Iraq’s fi rsrstt ParalympicParalympic Paralympic title. thethe mmedalsedals tatable.ble. medal in tthehe sspsport.ort. Danish SSportsports OOrgani-rgani- 2005–2009;2005–2009; MemberMember ParalympianParalympian brokeb his sationsation forfor thethe DisabledDisabled at LargeLarge IPC GoverningGoverning own worldworld recordreccord by ExecutiveExecutive BBoardoard BoardBoard 22009–2017009–2017 liftinglifting 310kg310kg tot claim his second consecu-coonsecu-on tive ParalympicParalymppicpi title. 5 PAULPAUL DDEPACEEPACE 6 GERARDGERARD MAMASSONSSON InternationalInternational WheelchairWheelchair FormerFormer PresidentPresident ofof and AmputeeAmputee SportsSports NPCNPC FranceFrance andand Federation (IWAS)(IWAS) President ofof French 4 PresidentPresident HandisportHandisport

1 2

12 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 13 SPORT NEWS + + NEWS IN-BRIEF + +

+++ TABLE TENNIS: The Slovenian towns of First women’s football Summer sports strategies Celje and Lasko will host the 2018 World Para Table Tennis Championships from 15–21 The IPC published a Strategic Plan detailing how October. Around 330 athletes will compete in 5-a-side tournament it plans to develop the four summer World Para 21 medal events. concludes Sports between now and 2020. It acts as interna- tional federation for athletics, powerlifting, shoot- World Para Athletics +++ USA: The USA’s wheelchair basketball Japan made its mark in football 5-a-side history ing and swimming. Strategic Plan player Steve Serio and swimmer Rebecca after it won the inaugural International Blind 2017-2020 June 2017

08.06.17 01:35 Meyers have won ESPN’s 2017 ESPY Awards for Sports Federation (IBSA) Women’s Blind Foot- The document aims to build on the achievements i Plan Athletics_final.indd 1 ‘Best Male Athlete with a Disability’ and ball Tournament. The competition was held in of the 2013 IPC Sports Strategic Plan and focuses ‘Best Female Athlete with a Disability.’ Vienna, Austria, in May. on six goals: 1. Competition development +++ SWIMMING: Ireland will stage its fi rst major Japan defeated an IBSA select team 1-0. 2. World Para Sport and athlete World Para Powerlifting Strategic Plan Para sport event when Dublin hosts the 2018 development 2017-2020 June 2017 World Para Swimming European Championships, The IBSA team featured players from Austria, 3. World Para Sport brand 08.06.17 01:38 set for 13-19 August. Belgium, France and Germany. Great Britain 4. World Para Sport funding ic Plan Powerlifting_final.indd 1 and tied for third. 5. Organisation infrastructure +++ ALPINE SKIING, SNOWBOARD: World 6. World Para Sport partnerships World Shooting Para Sport an Para Alpine Skiing and World Para Snowboard The tournament followed a football 5-a-side In addition, all four World Para Sports developed Strategic Plan appointed the USA’s Erik Petersen as Chair- training camp, which brought together their own strategic objectives and key measures 2017-2020 June 2017

08.06.17 01:36 person of their Sport Technical Committee. 74 participants from 16 countries, including which will help them track performance and i Plan Shooting_final.indd 1 Brazilian Stefano Arnhold was named Head 60 women. deliverables between now and 2020. of Snowboard. The USA’s Ted Martin was appointed as Snowboard Race Director. Both the camp and the tournament were part paralympic.org/the-ipc/publications/athletics of the Union of European Football Associations paralympic.org/the-ipc/publications/powerlifting +++ SHOOTING: World Shooting Para Sport (UEFA)-backed IBSA Blind Football Develop- paralympic.org/the-ipc/publications/shooting World Para Swimming announced that Para trap is now an offi cial ment Project Europe and were held in partner- Strategic Plan 2017-2020 discipline following the IPC Governing Board’s ship with the Austrian Disability Sports Feder- paralympic.org/the-ipc/publications/swimming June 2017 08.06.17 01:37 approval. The sport’s international federation ation. i Plan Swimming_final.indd 1 also expanded its partnership with electronic scoring systems provider SIUS to include the shotgun discipline.

IPC, VISA extend partnership until 2020 +++ SITTING VOLLEYBALL: Sixteen men’s and 16 women’s teams will compete at the 2018 As part of the new agreement, the IPC The USA’s Para biathlete and Para Sitting Volleyball World Championships next July. World Para Athletics and world leading and Visa will work together over the com- cross-country skier Oksana Masters, Host nation Netherlands and Japan, home to the insurer and fi nancial services pro- ing years to create engaging digital media Canada’s Para alpine skier Mac Marcoux, 2020 Paralympics, secured spots at both events. vider Allianz SE have extended their campaigns that support the Games and South Korea’s Para ice hockey player global partnership agreement until athletes, and highlight innovative payment Seung-Hwan Jung and China’s Para +++ POWERLIFTING: Almaty, Kazakhstan, the end of 2018, and secured an technologies around the world. cross-country skier Beibei Chu are the and Eger, Hungary, will stage the 2019 and option to continue the deal through four Paralympic athletes 2021 senior and junior World Para Powerlifting to 2020. The international federa- Visa’s Worldwide Paralym- and hopefuls included Championships respectively. tion for Para athletics also signed an pic Partnership with the IPC in the team, alongside a agreement with Sportissimo to be- dates back to 2003 and under number of Olympic winter +++ BOCCIA: , Great Britain, will come an offi cial supplier of the sport the agreement Visa retains athletes. host the Boccia International Sports Federation until at least the end of 2018. exclusive marketing and pro- (BISFed) 2018 World Championships from motional rights within the Payment Services Visa founded its Team Visa programme 9–19 August. Under the agreement, Allianz will category and activation opportunities for in 2000 with the aim of providing Olym- support the 2018 European Cham- fi nancial institution clients and merchants pic and Paralympic athletes and hope- +++ TAEKWONDO: World Taekwondo added pionships in Berlin, Germany. This is throughout the world. fuls with the tools, resources and sup- a new four- technique for spin kicks. the second time Allianz has renewed port they need to achieve their lifelong The additional point for the move aims to its partnership with World Para As part of its support of the PyeongChang dreams, both on and off the fi eld of make Para taekwondo more entertaining Athletics; the company became the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, Visa competition and regardless of their and television-friendly, as well as follow the fi rst global partner in 2014 and ex- announced its global roster for Team Visa. origin or background. competition rules for the Olympic counterparts. tended its agreement in March 2015.

+++ CYCLING: , Brazil, will Sportissimo became the fi rst Offi cial stage the 2018 UCI Para Cycling Track World Supplier of the sport’s International Championships. The event will take place in the Federation. The agreement will see Rio Olympic , the same venue where the Italian manufacturer provide ath- the sport was contested during the Rio 2016 letics-specifi c equipment, devices Games. and accessories to Local Organising BBC Radio 5 Live’s Tim Peach takes part in a ‘virtual reality’ wheelchair race at the World Para Athletics Oksana Masters Mac Marcoux Seung-Hwan Jung Beibei Chu Committees of World Para Athletics. Championships in London, Great Britain, in July USA Canada South Korea China

14 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 15 FUTURE GAMES NEWS

PYEONGCHANG 2018 9–18

MARCH EVENT SEAT The torch is 700mm in length, (USD) representing the altitude of PyeongChang, which sits 700m A 132.00 above sea level, and the sleek curve of the design was inspired by by South Korea’s traditional experience Opening Ceremony B 69.00 white porcelain. The torch is white, representing the Paralympic C 32.00 Winter Games, a festival of snow the Paralympic and ice. A 69.00 It has also been designed to withstand South Korea’s Closing Ceremony B 32.00 freezing winter weather, with the Winter Games! fl ame able to keep burning even C 14.00 in strong wind and heavy snow. Tickets for the PyeongChang 2018 The four Paralympic values – courage, determination, inspira- Paralympic Winter Games are now Para alpine skiing A 20.00 tion and equality – and the slogan for PyeongChang 2018, “Passion. on sale. Para biathlon A 20.00 Connected.” are also written in Braille on the torch in both Korean and English. From 9–18 March, sports fans The IPC appointed Jet Set Para cross-country skiing A 20.00 from around the world will Sports/CoSport as the Visit www.cosport.com come together to witness Global Authorised Ticket or contact the CoSport A 20.00 more than 670 of the Reseller (GATR). There- team directly to learn more Preliminaries fi nest Paralympic Win- fore, international about how you can support B 14.00 ter athletes compete spectators can buy and benefi t from the partner- in 80 events across six tickets online at ship with the IPC. diff erent sports. www.cosport.com, A 23.00 where they can also [email protected] Semi-fi nals With a total of 280,000 fi nd information on tickets for sale, prices their country’s desig- +1 908 326 2660 B 20.00 range from KRW 16,000 nated authorised ticket Para ice hockey (approximately EUR 13) resellers. A 32.00 for a number of events in- Third-place cluding Para biathlon, wheelchair Jet Set Sports, joined by its sister match curling preliminaries and Para alpine company CoSport, are uniquely quali- B 23.00 skiing; to up to KRW 140,000 (approximately fi ed to lead this eff ort thanks to their long and EUR 105) available for the top seating cate- distinguished experience promoting, selling, A 50.00 gory at the Opening Ceremony. Tickets are and distributing tickets to major international Finals sold on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis for fans sporting events, including for the Olympic and from around the world, with one person being Paralympic Games. B 32.00 able to buy a maximum of 50 tickets across all events. Tickets were made available for purchase Para snowboard A 20.00 online to South Korean residents on the 200 All Paralympic Winter Games tickets will days-to-go mark on 21 August. Dedicated include free access to the Games public trans- ticketing counters are also operating at South Preliminaries A 20.00 port system, and various entertainment experi- Korea’s two main airports (Incheon Inter- Wheelchair ences as part of the Cultural Olympiad that will national Airport and Gimpo International Semi-fi nals A 32.00 throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Airport), among other locations. curling Winter Games. The offi cial ticketing website is: Finals A 41.00 https://tickets.pyeongchang2018.com

16 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALPARALYMPIANYMPIAN 02|20120177 17 FUTURE GAMES NEWS

Japanese Para athletes celebrated three-years- to-go in Tokyo by showing off their sporting skills to a crowd of nearly 3,000 people.

The IPC announced the final medal events programme for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which will feature 4,400 athletes who will compete in 537 medal events.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS: ■ At least 1,756 slots for female athletes, the most ever, which represents a 17 per cent 1,756 increase from London 2012 WOMEN ■ Badminton and taekwondo, the two sports that will make their Paralympic debut, were awarded 14 and six medal events 6 respectively MEDAL EVENTS

14 ■ Canoe, which made its Paralympic debut at MEDAL EVENTS Rio 2016 with six medal events, will have nine medal events due to the addition of three va’a class events Mascot search Counting down to Tokyo 2020 9 ■ As part of the IPC’s drive to increase oppor- MEDAL EVENTS The Tokyo 2020 mascot panel will have Around 3,000 people turned out to organisers to see how many times he 116 tunities for athletes with high support needs, their work cut out for them after receiv- celebrate the three-year-to-go mark for could lift a 100 kg barbell. With the crowd ATHLETES boccia was allocated 116 athlete slots, ing more than 2,000 entries for mascot the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. cheering him on, he managed to lift it eight more than Rio 2016 designs by the August deadline. 12 times. BEIJING 2022 The event was held along a scenic ■ 14 sports will feature the same number of Among the entries, 1,774 were from waterfront deck venue overlooking Tokyo “I feel the weight of expectation for the The Organising Committee of the 2022 athletes as at Rio 2016. Canoe, judo, shooting, individual applications and 268 were Bay, and staged in conjunction with the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games from all Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games table tennis, triathlon and wheelchair fencing all group entries. Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the those who attended today’s event. Also, (Beijing 2022) announced Offi cial Part- also have additional slots Japanese Paralympic Committee on 25 the Paralympians’ powerful demon- ners since launching their marketing A Tokyo 2020 mascot review panel August. strations allowed us to appreciate their programme in February 2017. ■ Four sports – canoe, shooting, table tennis will select a shortlist from the submit- amazing abilities,” Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro and wheelchair fencing – have more medal ted design sets by the beginning of Tokyo 2020 used the event to highlight Muto said. Chinese company Anta became the events than Rio 2016 while athletics and swim- December, and schoolchildren at every its commitment to deliver a fully inclusive latest to support Beijing 2022, this time ming have fewer events elementary school across the country, Games. It included some amazing perfor- “And we believe that by improving acces- as the offi cial supplier of sports apparel. including international schools, will be mances by Paralympic athletes, including sibility for those with impairments, for the ■ The fi nal list of events for athletics, swimming given the opportunity to cast their vote Kento Kato, a leading member of the Jap- elderly and for those with young children, Anta joined domestic partners Bank of and triathlon will be published at later dates and select their preferred set of de- anese football 5-a-side team, who wowed we can create a fully-inclusive community China, Air China and Yili Group as the signs. Tokyo 2020 will select the design the crowd by scoring an incredible goal. that provides all people with equal oppor- Offi cial Commercial Banking Partner, A full breakdown of the events can be found on the IPC’s website: which attracts the largest number of Hiroshi Miura, a two-time Paralympian in tunity.” the Offi cial Passenger Air Transportation http://bit.ly/2gqaMlm classroom votes and announce the win- powerlifting, was challenged by the event Services Partner and the Offi cial Dairy ner in February 2018. Products Partner, respectively.

18 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 FUTURE GAMES NEWS

“LA is the best city in the world to host a truly modern and technically advanced Games, and Paris and Los Angeles it will be the fi rst time we’ve hosted the Games since we entered this digital era,” Adams said. were awarded the 2024 “When people in the US are able to witness the speed, skill and tenacity of the Paralympic and 2028 Olympic and athletes fi rst-hand, it is going to transform this Movement for our country.” Paralympic Games, LA 2028 will particularly be special for US Para respectively, after the athletes.

International Olympic Multi-world and Paralympic long jump medal- list Lex Gillette has competed at four Games. Committee (IOC) ratifi ed At Rio 2016 – dubbed the People’s Games – the Brazilian fans made their presence and support a tripartite agreement felt and heard. Gillette knows the “competitive advantage” and pride Brazilian Para athletes during September’s IOC felt with the home crowd behind them and hopes it can be replicated for US Paralympians Session in Lima, Peru. in LA.

“I’ve never experienced being able to com- pete in my home country,” said Gillette, who is on the LA 2028 Athletes’ Commission. PARIS 2024: Committed to change LOS ANGELES 2028: “Perfect match” for Paralympics “And I think that for an athlete aspiring to go to the Games, that in itself (competing at When the Games come to Paris, France, in “We will keep targeting this key demographic, home) would really motivate them because 2024, one item is high on the list. which is the future of our country,” she said. you’re pushing for a particular goal and the “Our communication campaign over the next idea that you may be able to achieve your goal “Changing the perception of impairment ranks seven years in France and abroad will also in front of your home fans, that is huge.” among the top priorities of Paris 2024,” said aim to demystify Paralympic sport and Emmanuelle Assmann, President of NPC France. showcase the thrilling performances of our Para The Games take place 11 years from now, which athletes.” Gillette says is plenty of time to strengthen “This victory is more important than ever. It the public’s awareness of the Paralympic means increased legitimacy, visibility, oppor- As for the Games plans themselves, Assmann Movement. tunity as well as responsibility for Paralympic knows another priority is ensuring a good sport in France.” athlete and spectator experience that will last This can be done not only with more media forever. exposure and sponsorship support, but also by The news of Paris 2024 was a special moment Para athletes taking an active role in sharing for Assmann, who won team epee bronze at the “We have committed to providing fully acces- their stories and promoting the Games. 2004 Paralympic Games. sible Games in 2024, both at the competition venues and the live sites,” she said. “This is par- Adams said 11 years will go by in the “blink “When I heard Paris announced as host city of for the Paralympic Movement: an avant-garde ticularly important for our existing venues which of an eye.” While there will be a lot of work to the 2024 Games, I was delighted, it was very and winning France!” will be upgraded to accommodate all specta- do for the organising committee between now emotional,” Assmann said. “We worked so hard tors. Furthermore, all new metro lines (already and then, the excitement and atmosphere that for this moment and we succeeded, thanks to a France hosted the 1992 Winter Games in under construction) will be accessible too. In comes when LA 2028 arrives will be worth it all. clear vision and a strong plan that placed strong Tignes-Albertville, which was the fi rst time both terms of infrastructure, the Games can help us emphasis on the Paralympic Games. Now that the Olympics and Paralympics shared a host gain 20 years and make accessibility the ‘new “I wouldn’t want to put any limits on the the dream has come true, a huge but exciting city for the winter edition following an agree- normal’ for public spaces.” Paralympic Games with my own expectations,” challenge lies ahead!” ment between the IOC and IPC. Adams said. “But at the core of the Games, I Le Fur serves as Co-Chair of the Paris 2024 The Olympic Games are returning to Los “The Paralympic Movement has been think we can expect to see thrilling perfor- Paralympic and world champion sprinter Paris hosted the Olympics in 1900 and 1924, Athletes Committee. From an athlete’s per- Angeles, USA, for the third time after 1932 growing steadily in the , but there mances from athletes who will break limits that Marie-Amelie le Fur is clear about what she but 2024 will be its fi rst summer Paralympics. spective, she said the key to hosting a success- and 1984. But like Paris, it will be the city’s is nothing else like the opportunity to host seem impossible now. We will see the Games wants the Paris 2024 Paralympics to accom- Assmann said work is already being done to ful Paralympic Games is “work and pleasure.” fi rst Paralympics. For Rick Adams, the USOC’s the Games here on US soil that will energise embraced by the US and the people of LA with plish. change people’s perception on impairments at Chief of Paralympic Sport and National this Movement and increase awareness in an excitement that we’ve never had in this home. “Without work one cannot progress, with- Governing Body Organisational Development, popular culture in the US,” Adams said. country before. And I think we will see a Games “We want the Paralympic Movement to receive out pleasure one cannot succeed,” she said. the 2018 Games will be a “celebration of that unite and inspire a generation around the the same celebration as the Olympics, and leave The Olympic and Paralympic school week “Pleasure in the realisation, pleasure in the how much the Paralympic Movement has He described LA as a city of creativity, innova- world. And to have all of that with a backdrop of unforgettable memories for athletes and spec- debuted in 2017 and introduced two million celebration, pleasure in the collective ... it is grown.” tion and progress – all a “perfect match for the beautiful sunsets over the ocean doesn’t hurt tators,” Le Fur said. “We want a lasting legacy children to the practice of Paralympic sport. essential.” Paralympic Games.” either.”

20 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 21 AGITOS FOUNDATION NEWS

Thanks to PyeongChang 2018’s Actualising the Dream project, a partnership between the Agitos Foundation and the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee, the Netherlands, Armenia, Australia and Kazakhstan received Para ice hockey equipment.

“We are very grateful to be selected as one of the countries for the Actualising the Dream Project,” said Joris van Impelen, sport co- ordinator at Gehandicaptensport Nederland. + + NEWS IN BRIEF + +

“With this support we can make a new start in +++ AFRICA: Representatives from NPCs of the Netherlands for this amazing and challeng- Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, ing sport.” Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo took part in the Agitos Foundation’s Organisational Capacity In Armenia, Australia and Kazakhstan, the Programme (OCP) meeting in Cotonou, Benin. Actualising the Dream project will enable Para Leadership representatives attended the ice hockey to begin developing. sessions, seeking to start the OCP in their NPCs this year and gain further knowledge about Australian Paralympic Committee Performance “Come and Try Day” was held in Australia in Para sport development. The OCP is designed Talent and Para Sport Manager Tim Matthews August, giving people a chance to play Para ice hockey. to strengthen NPCs in areas such as govern- said: “The hope is that this equipment will be ance, marketing and athlete development and a catalyst for the development of a Para ice “As one of four countries to be cho- diversify their funding streams. Fundraising for hockey programme in Australia. sen to receive the EUR 12,500 grant

(approximately AUD 18,000), the +++ ASIA: The NPCs of Iran, Kazakhstan, “The Australian Paralympic Committee is very Australian Paralympic Committee Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan grateful to receive this support and we’re now will work with Ice Hockey Australia Mexico earthquake received valuable training on Para sport really excited to help grow Para ice hockey here to develop a deep pool of players development during a four-day workshop and highlight why it is one of the most popular from which regular training and organised by the Agitos Foundation, with The IPC and the Agitos Foundation launched a global fundraising sports at the Paralympic Winter Games. other programmes can evolve.” support from Worldwide Partner, Toyota. campaign to support UNICEF’s humanitarian eff orts in Mexico Two representatives from each NPC attended following the country’s devastating earthquake. training sessions in Astana, Kazakhstan, After pilots in three countries, the Agitos Foundation will go as part of the OCP. Following the 19 September quake, the IPC postponed its World global with its education toolkit I’mPOSSIBLE. The global

Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting Championships in launch will be on 3 December 2017, coinciding with the United +++ PROUD PARALYMPIAN: Around 100 Mexico City which were due to begin on 30 September. Due to Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and a dedicated youngsters took part in a two-day Proud the emotional connection the Paralympic Movement feels with website will also go live during the launch. Development projects receive grant support Paralympian workshop held ahead of the World Mexico – around 1,400 athletes, coaches and offi cials were due Para Athletics Junior Championships in Nottwil, in the capital between 30 September and 6 October – the IPC I’mPOSSIBLE aims to raise awareness and engage young people, The Agitos Foundation announced 31 Para year compared to four in the Switzerland, in August. Proud Paralympian is the and Agitos Foundation decided to raise funds to support the educators, and key infl uencers about the Paralympic Movement; and sport development projects that will receive 2016 edition. GSP will also IPC´s athlete education programme and aims ongoing work of UNICEF in the country. also show the next generation of Para sport fans that ‘impossible’ is over EUR 600,000 through the 2017 edition of support eight projects in the to give Para athletes the tools they need to give just a word. By changing their perceptions of people with an impair- its Grant Support Programme (GSP). Americas, four in Asia, four their best on and off the fi eld of play. Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “The whole Paralympic ment, they can help bring about a more inclusive society. in Europe, two in Oceania Movement is united in our support for the Mexican people at this Grants of up to EUR 40,000 were made avail- and two global projects. diffi cult time. Following this terrible tragedy, we are all committed In the lead up to PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020, I’mPOSSIBLE able for the projects by IPC members for ini- to doing what we can to help the people aff ected by this earth- is intended to be the core education programme for students aged tiatives such as awareness campaigns, athlete Greece and Cyprus NPCs received funding quake. from 6-12 years. The toolkit will provide free teaching resources development and capacity building. to provide training opportunities for refugees which include easy-to-use lesson plans, worksheets, inspirational with an impairment, following on the success 31 “When we postponed our World Championships, a number of videos and teacher training. The resources available through the Twenty NPCs, two Regional Organisations, of the GSP 2016 project in Greece. members within the Paralympic Movement asked how they could programme feature diff erent Para sports and the inspirational one International Organisation of Sport for the FUNDED support the relief eff orts. We believe working with UNICEF to achievements of Para Disabled, and eight International Federations Since its launch in 2013, the GSP has invest- PROJECTS launch this fundraising campaign is the least that we can do at athletes to showcase were among the projects awarded. Six NPCs ed over EUR 3 million in supporting 156 Para this diffi cult time.” ability. NPCs Japan, will be fi rst-time recipients of the grants – Cos- sport development projects across the world, Colombia and Arme- ta Rica, Cyprus, Mozambique, Nigeria, South making a significant impact on the growth of The 7.1 magnitude earthquake left hundreds dead and caused nia have been piloting Korea and Suriname – as well as the Asian the Paralympic Movement. major damage to buildings and infrastructure in Mexico City and the programme since Paralympic Committee and the International neighbouring states of Morelos and Puebla. February 2017, and Canoe Federation. A complete list of funded projects for the will be able to share 2017 edition can be found at: < € 600,000 Both World Championships were rescheduled for between 2–8 their success stories Para sport projects in Africa are on the rise, AVAILABLE TO DEVELOP December. with other NPCs. with 11 projects being allocated funding this www.agitosfoundation.org PARA SPORTS

22 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 23 AGITOS FOUNDATION – CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

The Southeast Asian country has only Nine players and eight coaches were part of competed in powerlifting at the Paralympic the blind football training camp, led by Japa- Games so far. nese educators provided by the Japan Blind Football Association. Laos’ Paralympic history dates back to the 2000 Games, where Dalouni Greatly motivated by the workshop, players Xaythanith and Eay Simay represented their and coaches set up the fi rst Laos blind football country. Simay went on to compete at Beijing team to compete on the international stage. In 2008, where he won bronze in the men’s up December 2016, they faced India and Malaysia to 48kg with a 157.5kg lift, and then London at the Tri-Nations Blind Football Tournament in 2012. Laos’ most recent representative at a Kochi, India. They even achieved their fi rst win, Games was Pia at Rio 2016, where he fi nished beating the hosts 1-0 in their opening game. sixth in the men’s up to 49kg. Even though they lost twice to Malaysia, Laos ended in a much-celebrated second place. But the Lao Paralympic Committee (LPC), which became an offi cial Member of the IPC in The other sport now being developed in Laos 2001, is now seeking to develop new sports with is wheelchair basketball following an intensive the support of the Agitos Foundation. Its aim is training camp held in November 2016. Fifteen to bring more people into the Movement and players and fi ve coaches and referees attend- increase the number of Laotian athletes ed. They also set up a team and are planning competing at Paralympic Games. to compete at future regional and international competitions. In late-2016, the LPC and the Agitos Founda- tion implemented a programme to search for “We want to promote gender equality and have potential Para athletes across the country in more women taking up Para sports. Take the close collaboration with the Ministry of Educa- wheelchair basketball women’s team for ex- We need to recruit tion and Sports and the Lao Disabled People ample,” said Nakamura. “But we need more more young people and Association. intensive training and to compete in more in- spread Para sports across ternational events.” the country to gain Their research led to dozens of people with an impairment being invited to the capital city of Early in 2017, Japanese Olympic runner more attention from Vientiane to test their abilities and potentially Dai Tamesue and Para athletics coach Hiroyuki the private sector. recruit them to compete in one of the sports. Hane led the athletics workshop. Tamesue highlighted the importance of having able- At the same time, the rules and regulation for bodied and disabled athletes training together, athletics, goalball, blind football and wheel- and the Lao Olympic and Paralympic Commit- chair basketball were translated to Lao lan- tees decided to work closely in the future. guage for better understanding. Furthermore, a number of professionals attended educational Nakamura added: “We need to recruit more courses to learn about the Paralympic Move- young people and spread Para sports across ment. the country to gain more attention from the private sector. Project lead Yuki Nakamura said: “There are still many challenges ahead, but this strong in- “But we are sure in the future Laos will be itiative is helping start develop a platform for able to send larger delegations to the Para athletes, trainers and coaches. Paralympic Games. Everyone is working LAOS AT A PARALMYPIC GAMES hard to see the country’s dream come NUMBER OF ATHLETES/SPORT Powerlifter Eay Simay “So far, only powerlifters have competed for true.” won Laos’ only Laos at Paralympic Games. We are hoping that Sydney 2000: 2 / powerlifting Para lympic medal, Beijing 2008: 1 / powerlifting taking bronze in can change at Tokyo 2020 and we can have the men’s up-to-48kg more Para athletes representing the country.” London 2012: 1 / powerlifting at Beijing 2008. Rio 2016: 1 / powerlifting

24 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 TOKYO TALENTS

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games left a legacy not just for Brazil but for the whole world.

We, Paralympic athletes, showed the world that our lives are not just about struggling and overcoming obstacles but we can also achieve big things. Everything is possible.

Winning a title depends on our faith and determination. If we dream about I imagine myself competing and something, we have to work hard giving my best at Tokyo 2020. I will to achieve it. try to improve my performance and top the podium again as at Rio 2016.

I give the best of myself at every daily Petrucio Ferreira practice. Knowing that it is through sports that I can provide to my family TheTh 20-year-old broke the 100m T47 world record at is what gives me the necessary impulse to hhisis home Games in Rio, then lowered it at the 2017 make sustained eff orts and aim high. WWorldo Championships.

26 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 27 DIGITAL DYNAMICS DIGITALDDIGITALDIGITALIGITAL DYNAMIDYNAMICSDYNAMICSDYNAMICSCS Amy Purdy (USA) Five winter sports athletes to follow on social media! One of the most famous Paralympians’ Instagram account is full of wisdom and outdoorsy hikes. She also takes you behind the scenes of her snowboard adventures!

@AmyPurdyGurl on Instagram

Jeroen Kampschreur (NED) The 18-year-old triple world champion alpine skier loves showing off his workouts, travels and medals.

@Jeroenkampschreur Markus Salcher (AUT) on Instagram Alpine skier is ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, speakss at Human Rights Festivals,vals, chops wood on weekendsnds and hangs out with Nascar drivers. Facebook.com/ SalcherSkiingforgold

Greg Westlakeestlake (CAN) World title winning Canadian ice hockey captain is also a sideline reporter for CBC Sports.

Oksana Masters (USA) Nordic skier won an Twitter.com/ GWestlake12 ESPY, writes for ThePlayersTribune.com and hangs out with US gymnast Gabby Douglas.

Facebook.com/ OksanaMastersUSA

28 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 29 ONES TO WATCH ATHLETE INTERVIEW HER LAST HURRAH

One of alpine skiing’s most successful competitors says she will retire after PyeongChang 2018. Can Anna Schaff elhuber go fi ve-for-fi ve again before she bows out of the sport?

The Paralympian: You seem to I know I can be very fast next year but I have travel a lot more in the off -season. ANNA SCHAFFELHUBER (GER) to learn to show this in races. So there is all or What have you been up to? Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games nothing for next season. Anna Schaff elhuber (AS): Oh yes… The last G G G G G couple of years the summer months were What are your thoughts on the course almost as busy as the winter season because Tarvisio 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing after the Test Event in March? of many meetings, media events, training and Championships AS: I really like the course in PyeongChang. In university exams. fact it’s a little fl at except slalom but with a lot G G G S S of rollers etc. which I think is a lot of fun! So I I’ve tried some new things like paddling or think from the start gate to fi nish area it looks PyeongChang 2018 tennis – it’s a lot of fun! But of course that was pretty good. I think a problem is the distance just for fun and I am looking forward to being ? from the Paralympic Village to our race course. back on snow. It’s very far and each single day travelling there In giant slalom of course silver is a pretty good for two weeks will be laborious. But OK, there How would you sum up the 2016-17 season? performance. But I was much too slow in the is nothing to change yet. We have to make the Were you satisfi ed with your performances in fi rst run and did not attack like I normally do. best out of this situation now. And I think there Tarvisio 2017? The whole season except in Tarvisio, I showed should be some more toilets close to the ath- AS: All in all I was very happy with my last sea- quality in GS. So I am not happy with that race. letes’ area. son. In fact my result at Tarvisio was my best But it’s a big motivation for next year! performance at a World Championships in my Who inspires you, and why? career and I was the fi rst winning every single What are your takeaways from AS: I have always been globe that was possible. Of course there were the past season? inspired by multi-world and some races and runs I was not happy with. For And how would you apply Paralympic alpine skiing example my slalom racing was not as good as them for this season? champion Martin Braxen- in the past years. I had several problems with AS: In a couple of races and thaler because in most of the timing. But at this time, looking forward to runs I realised some things his races he found the right PyeongChang, my performance was very good. to improve and that’s perfect tactic between taking the because it’s a new challenge risk and not racing above the For your two silvers (giant slalom, for me. I really have to improve limit. super-G), is there anything you would have myself in slalom on steep courses done diff erently to have gotten gold? and on fl at courses in the rest of the What are your hobbies? AS: No, not in super-G. I raced a very good disciplines. But I still have some ideas for that. AS: I love reading! And I also love every other run and my performance was good. Of course sport and like to test some new things. it was very close to the fi rst and I would have What are your goals and expectations loved to win the gold. But this time Claudia for PyeongChang 2018? Do you have a job while competing? (Loesch) was a little bit faster and deserved the AS: Next season I want to show my best in each AS: I am studying to become a teacher in math- gold. For me there is nothing to complain about single race. That’s for the overall (2017–18) ematics, law and economy. After PyeongChang because the run was really good. season and for the races in PyeongChang. I will be fi nished.

30 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 HOW TO …

HOW TO … International Paralympic Committee (IPC) “LIVE STREAMING IS A LIVE STREAM A GREAT WAY TO PROMOTE SPORTING EVENT PARA SPORT.” The IPC, BISFed and CBDV share their insights on how to live stream Para sport competitions. These days, many mainstream TV channels pictures can be do not have a lot of space in their schedules used for news and for hours of sports coverage. Getting highlights coverage commitments from broadcasters can be for broadcasters to diffi cult, however, live streaming on your share. own platforms can be a great way to pro- mote Para sport events without the support “You can distribute of broad casters. The IPC’s Broadcasting these images to all Manager Sascha Beck explains more. news agencies and rights holders who might not air your What type of production programme on live TV do you need? but cover it as high- lights. Then you still Just because a sporting event will be live have the live viewing streamed online rather than on TV does not potential on YouTube mean you should settle for average production and Facebook. Once you start that process “Sometimes you need to take the risk to see quality. In the digital age, with Internet access your sport will get greater recognition and it the reward because unless you show some- readily available, people are watching sports could eventually lead to television coverage.” body what you have to off er, they may not more on smart devices (phones, tablets and ever commit to you. But once you jump into even TVs) where content is readily available in the deep end of the pool, you might get the high-defi nition. What is your territory? response you’re looking for. You might catch What is your sport? their eye. And you can build momentum from Considering this, Beck suggests the fi rst factor there.” people should think about when live streaming Beck suggests event organisers should consid- an event is what level of production they want. er how many territories are represented in the event because those territories are the targets Consider your competition There is “bare bones” production with just of the content. cameras streaming the competition. Then Where is the event being live streamed? there is full production that includes graphics Additionally, what sport are you streaming? and commentary, as well as a distribution sig- What sporting event is it? nal to reach the masses. Is it athletics with track and fi eld events hap- pening simultaneously? Is it sitting volleyball or Another big factor to consider, especially if a “To have a full production you have to consid- wheelchair basketball that is played on a con- lot of money is being invested for good produc- er pictures, the sound, the information that is fi ned court? tion, is when is the event happening? Does it going to be displayed on the pictures so the confl ict with another major competition around graphics. Then you need someone helping the This will determine how many cameras are the world or in the territory? viewers along in telling the story, so commen- needed and their operation points. tary.” “What are you competing against? You’re not But if you have someone across a line going to have the World Para Swimming Cham- A lot will depend on the event’s budget. and need immediate results, this is an expense pionships at the same time as the FINA World Of course, a solid production level will cost that comes with the on-venue results provider. Championships. But you might want to piggy money. So wise planning is a must. In the end, it will all take a bite out of the back off the momentum of able-bodied com- budget. But it can be worth the risk, especially petition. I wouldn’t want to go head-to-head Even if a sporting event is not picked up by a if the goal is to promote and raise awareness of with them.” major broadcaster, producing good quality Para sports.

32 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 33 HOW TO …

Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) Brazilian Confederation of Sports for the Visually Impaired (CBDV) “TRY TO PICK THE MOST “LOOK FOR PARTNER- ENTERTAINING GAMES SHIPS TO SHARE LINKS FOR SCREENING.” FOR GREATER REACH.”

The Boccia International Sports Federation “There have been examples where hosts There is one important aspect to consider (BISFed) listened to their supporters. Over have set up a static camera and left it running when it comes to live streaming sports for the last three years, one of the main pieces throughout,” Mallon said. “ …this isn’t great athletes with visual impairments. of feedback the International Federation re- and in the early days, an empty court was ceived was the desire for live streaming and fi lmed many times. “The description of what is happening is scoring at major events. very important,” said Tadeu Casqueira, “But we quickly learned that we needed to press offi cer at the Brazilian Confederation As part of their contract with the competi- put a volunteer on the ground to oversee the of Sports for the Visually Impaired (CBDV). tion Local Organising Committees (LOCs), streaming and got our TD (Technical Delegate) The CBDV manages three Paralympic BISFed has required the LOCs to provide involved in the whole process to ensure that sports in Brazil: football 5-a-side, goalball livestreams and results. there were no scheduling issues.” and judo. Bearing in mind who their audi- ence is, Casqueira tells commentators for The Technical Delegate also plays an important the livestream to be extra descriptive. role in the live streaming.

They decide which matches are played on the “show court,” with the aim to show a mix of classes and athletes from diff erent countries. Thinking about the logistics When fi nding a commentator, they prefer to Big gains for live streaming “We leave it to their discretion to pick the have one who is an expert in the sport. But games they feel will be most entertaining!” The CBDV has been live streaming competi- there is another area to consider. The competition to pick up broadcasters is Event hosts take control Mallon said. tions for fi ve years. high in Brazil. While the CBDV has not had “Another point to take care about is the trans- any major TV broadcaster take on their sports, At boccia events, the LOC must provide a lives- Spectator feedback and Each year, they stage nine regional compe- lation of the international events,” said CBDV CBDV’s own coverage and promotion might tream on at least one court. challenges titions and fi ve national events, four of which President Jose Antonio Ferreira Freire. “We lead to bigger gains in the future, such as they live stream at great eff ort due to their must make sure that everyone can understand potential sponsors. Giving the LOC live streaming responsibility Mallon said spectators have enjoyed the capacity. They broadcast two of their major what is happening.” does carry some uncertainties, such as manag- As BISFed would like to have the best quality commentary, on screen graphics of scores events (a football-5 and goalball competition), While media have come to certain events, the ing the quality displayed on the screen, which production for all of its sanctioned competi- and when multiple cameras are used on as well as two stages of the Judo Grand Prix. The broadcasts are displayed on the organisa- coverages have been limited to news or fea- Richard Mallon, BISFed administrator, has tions, they are always conscious not to put too the courts. tion’s YouTube channel (CBDVTV) and on their ture stories versus full competition coverage. admitted varied from competition to competi- much pressure on their hosts especially with To showcase the action from diff erent angles, Facebook page (/CBDCofi cial). Live streaming But with livestream, the CBDV has been able tion. But lots can be learned from each host. event costs increasing. They have taken that feedback to hosts, rec- as well as capture athlete reactions, the CBDV on these platforms has its advantages, such as to showcase the sports in full, Casqueira said. ommending they set up two cameras on each aims to have three cameras covering football direct engagement with the audience. “Our hosts have partnered with some fantastic “We’ve really just been leaving it to the discre- court, versus the option of selecting from two 5-a-side and goalball competitions. While judo “Our goal is to reach the largest number of companies in the past to provide the streaming tion of the (hosts) and will in the future look to poorly positioned static cameras, on separate bouts happen on one mat, they still aim to have The CBDV further audience engagement by fans, athletes, family members, friends and service,” said Mallon. “Great Britain in particu- ‘set a standard,’” Mallon said. courts. two cameras. organising sweepstakes for shirts or encourag- stakeholders,” Casqueira said. lar did a great job at the 2015 European Cham- ing viewers to send messages to the pionships. They provided two commentators, Tricks to live streaming boccia One of the biggest challenges has been getting athletes. Although live streaming does not come cheap, on screen graphics for scores and had two the links in a timely manner to help promote according to Casqueira it is worth the cost. on-court cameras on their show court to show While there are multiple games happening the availability of the stream. “With this interactivity the audience the action from various angles.” at once, boccia is played on a small court, can also participate in the event in “The broadcasts have had a very positive and BISFed sees that as an advantage in live “Thus far we haven’t really got a solution but we some way, encourage the athletes acceptance from both athletes and the While the LOC live streams the competitions on streaming and saving costs. have asked our hosts to nominate a volunteer during the competitions and publi- public in general, so we will work to broadcast site, Mallon works remotely to ensure links and who is responsible for photos, links, news etc,” cise the Para sport,” said Freire. “An- our events as long as possible and thus allow embed codes are up to date, which he admits But that advantage came with a drawback, Mallon said. “So far this hasn’t been greatly other practice is to look for partner- everyone who has interest to watch. Attracting is a challenge and something they are looking which they recognised and made the neces- successful but we are getting better.” ships to help us share the link and the sponsors and punctual partners could be a way to improve moving forward. sary adjustment. event so that it has greater reach.” out of this high cost,” he said.

34 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 35 A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF …

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF … TUE TUE

WED THU FRI

SUN MON

3.86KM SWIM FRI SAT

180.2KM CYCLE

MON 42.2 KM RUNNING (RACING CHAIR)

The Dutch dual-sport machine initially planned to take 2017 off after winning triathlon gold and handcycling bronze at Rio 2016. > 20 HRS 15 KM 45 MINUTES 90 KM 2 KM 95 KM 1 HR 7 L 100 KM 30 MINUTES 4 KM 90 KM 1 HR But his plans changed. AmsterdamTRAVEL Hawaii HANDBIKE RACING CHAIR HANDBIKE SWIM HANDBIKE RACING CHAIR IN 4 HRS HANDBIKE RACING CHAIR SWIM HANDBIKE RACING CHAIR

In September alone, Plat won two golds at the UCI Para Cycling SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Road World Championships, gold in the ITU Para Triathlon World Departure day from Amsterdam to Six hours of sleep, not bad! Un- This was a full training day. We One of the hottest days! Around A last check on the bike course Rest day! With the exception of Exactly one week before race day. Championships and fi nished fi rst Hawaii! We had to gather the lug- packed and put together the bike headed over to Kona (the site of 33-34 degrees, with the burning before we picked up my uncle and one lap in the open water swim- Three hours on the bike and one in the handcycling division at the gage (e.g. handbike, racing chair, and racing chair for a mid-morning the Ironman) with my coach by sun and a lot of wind. Tested the fi lmmakers from the airport later ming course. Since we drove to hour in the racing chair, and re- Berlin marathon. day chair) and head to the airport. ride to wake the muscles up. Had bike; it was about 45km away. second part of the bike course in the day for more media. the course instead of cycling, we peat on Sunday before tapering Our fl ight included 10 hours to to squeeze in a trip to the super- We toured the race course on (95km), and then one hour on the used the car to tour the city, found fi ve days before the big day! The 26-year-old took us through Seattle, USA; a four-hour layover; market for food and other essen- the bike, got a 2km swim in, then racing chair. After a shower and a lunch spot, then returned to the his week as he prepared for then another six hours to Hawaii. tials. biked back to the apartment. seven bottles of fl uids, it was time apartment for my favorite activity his last race of the season: the We arrived at 21:00 local time in to relax in the swimming pool. The – napping! Ironman World Championships Hawaii , picked up the rental car rest of the evening was easy with on 14 October in Kailua-Kona, and fi nally got to the apartment at a few media interviews via phone. Hawaii, USA. 23:30.

36 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 37 FEATURE

The dawn of a new era Meet IPC President Andrew Parsons

38 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 39 FEATURE

Strengthening relation- TIMELINE OF IPC PRESIDENTS ship with the International Olympic Committee It was anything but a quiet start to life as IPC 1960 President for Parsons. First Paralympic Games held inn Rome, Italy “A very busy one,” he said about his fi rst week. “Really busy, but fantastic.”

Just days after winning the election, Parsons fl ew to Lima, Peru, to attend the 131st IOC Session. 1989 International Paralympic It was a time fi lled with meetings including with Committee founded on IOC President Thomas Bach, site visits with 22 September the organising committee of the Lima 2019 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, introduc- tions with the “Olympic world” and “fantastic moments,” especially the ratifi cation of Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 as the next Olym- pic and Paralympic hosts. Attending the IOC Session was more than a 1989–2001 formality. It was the start of his presidency for Dr. Robert Steadward building on the IPC’s relationship with the IOC. Back in June 2001, a co-operation agreement serves as IPC’s founding was signed aimed at protecting the organisa- President tion of the Paralympic Games and securing the practice of “one bid, one city.” It is an agree- ment that has been extended over the years and in 2016, principles for a new agreement 1 through to 2032 were agreed upon. These in- cluded increasing the visibility of the Paralym- pics and enhancing its brand; and ensuring the fi nancial stability and long-term viability of the Andrew Parsons reacts after winning the IPC Presidential election. IPC, the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement. 2001–2017 Sir Philip Craven’s term as Andrew Parsons pounded his fi sts on the table. But Parsons said the IPC-IOC relationship is You have a new President. A water bottle toppled over, glasses clinked “not only about the Games.” IPC President And I would like to formally with the force, and his wife ran over to embrace him. “We want to have a closer relationship with announce and congratulate from what I would say is the Olympic Movement as Brazil Mr. Andrew Parsons,” Tension that once fi lled the room was a whole because I think that, for example, the suddenly released. Replacing it was celebra- regional organisations can benefi t from the 2 announced the IPC’s fi rst tory applause, handshakes and many more partnership – for example – with the Americas President Dr. Robert Steadward emotional embraces for Parsons – the third Paralympic Committee and PASO (Pan Ameri- during the elections held President in the history of the IPC. can Sport Organisation) when it comes to the at the IPC General Assembly ,” Parsons said. With 84 votes, he was chosen ahead of fellow on 8 September candidates China’s Haidi Zhang (47 votes), He has seen how a partnership with both in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Denmark’s John Petersson (19) and Canada’s Movements made a diff erence at a regional 2017 Patrick Jarvis (12). level, for example, in the National Olympic AndrewAnd Parsons begins Committee (NOC) in Chile helping in build a “Now it is time to roll up the sleeves and work NPC for the country from scratch. four-yearfour term as the really hard with the membership and the ParalympicParaly Movement’s new Governing Board,” Parsons said after the “We saw how the support of the NOC was thirdt President elections. important from the beginning,” Parsons said. InI his fi rst week of “So it’s not only about the IOC-IPC, it’s broader presidency,p Andrew Parsons met with IOC President than that.” ThomasT Bach in Lima.

THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 41

FEATURE

Supporting members, Parsons said it is not only the outside world, but supporting Para athletes also within the Movement where classifi cation issues need to be tackled. Parsons said one of the changes he would make with the IPC and the Paralympic Move- To do so, he said the IPC needs to work very ment is how the IPC supports its 202 members, close with IFs and the Classifi cation Commit- which include NPCs, International Federations tee to fi nd solutions. As part of his fi rst weeks (IFs), Regional Organisations and Interna- in the Presidency, Parsons attended the VISTA tional Organisations of Sport for the Disabled 2017 conference in Toronto, Canada, and took (IOSDs). the opportunity to meet with the IPC Classifi ca- tion Committee and “debate with them these He wants the IPC, as the global governing body challenges.” of the Paralympic Movement, to be more proac- tive rather than reactive to its members, and to ANDREW PARSONS “We also have a problem with how we commu- better understand their needs and challenges. nicate classifi cation, and how we position clas- sifi cation within the Paralympic Movement and NATIONALITY “As a member organisation, we exist to serve the outside world,” Parsons said. Brazilian our membership, and together we can pro- vide the best path for the Para athletes of the As for the fi rst Youth Paralympic Games, DATE OF BIRTH world,” Parsons said. Parsons said he is proposing to simply start 10 February 1977 discussions about those Games. First he needs in Rio de Janeiro It is a belief that stems from his nearly 20 years to understand what the membership expects working at an NPC. Additionally, with his edu- from these Games, such as how many sports EDUCATION cational background, Parsons also said to ex- should feature and whether there should be Fluminense Federal University – pect more communications and marketing ini- collaboration with the Youth Olympic Games. Bachelor’s in tiatives from the IPC to help members develop. Marketing & Communications

“It’s not only about communication and mar- LANGUAGES keting with the IPC, but how we can better Top back from left to right: Mohammed Alhameli, Chelsey Gotell (IPC Athletes’ Council Chair), Leonel da Rocha Pinto, Andrew Parsons, Debra Alexander, Tim Reddish, Portuguese, English and Spanish Xavi Gonzalez (IPC CEO), Rita van Driel, Sung Il Kim, Yasushi Yamawaki support the NPCs and IFs in these fi elds … We Bottom from left to right: Sir Philip Craven (IPC President 2001–2017) Muff y Davis, Luca Pancalli, Duane Kale, Juan Pablo Salazar have members who are very well established PREVIOUS MAJOR APPOINTMENTS in these programmes but I would say a huge IPC Vice President majority of our members still don’t have it.” (2013–2017) NEW IPC GOVERNING BOARD

He wants to see the IPC provide more solutions President of NPC Brazil 10 Members at Large were elected and will serve a four-year term until the next elections in 2021 and co-ordinate eff orts between IFs and NPCs, (2009–2017) between NPCs and regions, and so on, not Member of Rio 2016 Executive Council only in communications and marketing, but (2009–2017) “everything to do with development and high performance.” President of Americas Paralympic Committee (2005–2009)

Introducing new ideas IPC Governing Board Member Mohammed Alhameli Leonel da Rocha Pinto* Debra Alexander* 2009–2013 United Arab Emirates African Paralympic Committee International Triathlon Union In his manifesto, Parsons introduced two new points that would be new for the Paralympic Movement: professionalising the athlete Succeeding a ‘legend’ classifi cation process, with closer monitoring of classifi ers and performances; and a Youth Parsons, 40, takes the torch from Sir Philip Paralympic Games. Craven who has served in the role for 16 years.

“None of them will be easy at all,” Parsons said. “Philip is a legend. He is a role model. I keep “We see more and more issues around classi- saying it will take time for the Movement to Tim Reddish*Great Britain Rita van Driel The Netherlands Sung Il Kim*South Korea Yasushi Yamawaki Japan fi cation. As we are a more relevant organisa- realise his legacy,” Parsons said. “We went tion, we are more open to the external world from a disability organisation to one of the top discussing classifi cation, challenging classi- sport organisations out there. We are stronger fi cation. … It is very important for them that than ever. And this was through the work of classifi cation is understandable, that it can be NEW IPC VICE PRESIDENT many people but also through his vision and trusted. So I think we have a lot to do when it Duane Kale (NZL) the direction he set for the NPCs and he was so comes to classifi cation being more friendly.” strong in making the IPC follow that direction.” * fi rst time on the Governing Board Muff y Davis* USA Luca Pancalli* Italy Juan Pablo Salazar* Colombia

42 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 43 CASE STUDY

“In fact, if it was not because we won the bid to organise the 2019 Parapan American Games, I believe we would still be on a deadlock, left pic As m soc Peruvian delegation at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. ly ia aside,” Villar said. ra t a io P n l a o The ANPP has stepped up in promoting Lima f Getting people to care n The 2019 Parapan American P o

i

e 2019 in Peru.

t

r a

Games are heading to Lima, ú Villar got involved with the Paralympic Movement N Peru. But at the time of the in the 1980s, when she met Peru’s Toronto 1976 They have been active on social media, post- announcement in 2013, the Paralympic bronze medal swimmer Jose Gonzales, ing often on their Facebook and Twitter pag- who explained the Movement to her. This led to dif- es @PeruParalimpico, and even on Instagram nation had a NPC that was ferent initiatives to promote Para sports in the coun- “The country needed a na- @ParalimpicoPeru. In 2016, they launched struggling. try in the following years, such as explaining what tional organisation respon- their NPC’s website www.anpperu.org/ to raise Para sports are to her physical education class. sible for promoting sports awareness of Para sports in the country ahead It did not have a well-established entity to promote among people with an impair- of Lima 2019. Additionally, the NPC sought out and develop Para sports across the country ahead of But how could they promote Para sports if their own ment in a more organised way local talents to become ambassadors for Lima Lima 2019. Athletes had to fund themselves to com- athletes were not showing enough podium results? and to have better representa- 2019. Swimmer Alejandra Callirgos, cyclist Israel pete. When they would compete, they were reliant tion at international competi- Hilario Rimas and track and fi eld athlete Luis entirely on financial support from public or private In 2014 at the first Para South American Games in tions,” Villar said. Miguel Sandoval are among those signed up. institutions, or personal investments. Santiago, Chile, Peru won just five bronze and end- Additionally, the NPC led eff orts in fi nding the “The country ed last in the medals table. The following year, 16 But there was one particular event’s mascot; a contest was held in which In early 2015, the IPC suspended the NPC of Peru. needed a national Peruvian athletes competed at the Parapan American event that sped up the develop- school children would help in designing the organisation Games in Toronto, Canada, but left without a medal. ment of NPC Peru. mascot. Acknowledging the problem, Lucha Villar, a physical responsible for education teacher in Peru, began working to build an promoting sports After much struggle, the National Paralympic Associ- NPC from scratch. ation of Peru (ANPP) was founded at the end of 2015, among people with Villar elected its first President. It was recog- “It was very hard, we had to push for that and not with an nised by the Peruvian Institute of Sports; and in Feb- many people paid attention or cared about what we impairment…” ruary 2016 it became a provisional IPC member prior were trying to make,” she said. to ratification at the 2017 IPC General Assembly.

“How can disabled people start practising sport if “Before the ANPP was founded, Paralympic sports in they live in cities which are not accessible enough Peru were left aside. No one at the Peruvian Institute for them to even take the bus to training?” Villar said. of Sports was actually thinking about them,” said Vil- “Our aim goes way beyond the competitive field. We lar. “Since we did not have a structure, athletes did want to help create a more equitable society and a not have any kind of support and used to face many country which is accessible for all.” obstacles when trying to qualify for and compete in Lucha Villar with the Lima The NPCs of Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru extended a partnership agreement, in international events. 2019 mascot Milco which the Brazilian NPC would support the development of the other three.

44 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 45 CASE STUDY

I’M NOT MISSING ANYTHING.

2013 2015 2016 2017 Lima awarded Former NPC Peru NPC Peru NPC Peru WELL, MAYBE In contrast to the 16 athletes who represented 2019 Pan and has IPC membership approved as ratifi ed Peru at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Parapan American terminated provisional IPC as full Games member IPC member Toronto, Canada, Villar said the country is hop- ing to send a delegation of 180 to Lima 2019 and be represented in all 17 sports. ANOTHER MEDAL. Outside the competitive fi eld Sports through the Ministry of Economy and “We are growing but it is a hard and expensive Finance. process. It is a big challenge which is why our The ANPP has been off ering workshops at goal is not just for the two weeks the event high schools, universities, hospitals and sport Other partnerships in Latin American have lasts,” she said. institutes, inviting all who are interested to try also been key for the ANPP. To reach your goals, dare to break down barriers. Para sports. Ellen Keane, Paralympic Swimmer Despite the challenges, Peruvian wheelchair In March this year, the ANPP renewed their basketball player Pilar Jauregul has seen “We want to show them they are as fun and co-operation agreement with the Brazilian a change in awareness: “Since Lima was challenging as sports for able-bodied people,” Paralympic Committee (CPB). Under its terms, announced as host city for the 2019 Para- said Villar, who is also working towards chang- the CPB will continue exchanging information, pan American Games, we have noticed that es to the national sports law. “We want every- and technical and organisational knowledge Paralympic sports have started a steady growth one in the country, including people with im- with the ANPP to help them develop in various not just in Lima, but all around the country.” pairment, to have the right to practice sports.” areas.

Peruvian swimmer Maria de Jesus Trujillo said: This year, the ANPP, together with the Peru- “They have been supporting us for some “Up until 2015, I had no idea Paralympic sports vian Institute of Sports and the Ministry of time already and have helped us develop the existed. Actually, I did not practice any kind of Economy and Finance, launched ‘Meta 20’ Paralympic Movement in Peru,” Villar said. “I sport when I was a little girl.” (Goal 20) to develop Para sports from the see Brazil as a great example of how to make International Partner grassroots. Villar said the initiative allows mu- the Paralympic Movement grow. The work they Two years later, she won a silver medal at the nicipalities in Lima who develop Para sports have done with schools, municipalities and Youth Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, to receive an economic incentive by the end their talent search is something I pay close at- Brazil. of the year given by the Peruvian Institute of tention to in order to replicate it in Peru.”

46 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 47 PYEONGCHANG WINTER WONDERS

No win is ever done alone.

I absolutely was not expecting four golds (at the 2017 World Champion ships). I believed in myself, but to win all three cross-country events was surprising, especially with the tough competitors who have been training all year round. The Para biathlon gold was the biggest shock. I still have lots of improvements to make on my shooting so I knew a gold would be tough to get.

I am not going to put any pressure on myself in PyeongChang. My biggest goal is to race calm, relaxed and in control.

Paralympic rowing medallist swapped her oars for ski poles; swept Para cross-country events at 2017 World Championships.

48 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 49 WORLD SPORT ROUND-UP

14–23 July World Para Athletics Championships

The 2017 World Championships were held at the , the site of Para athletics competitions during the London 2012 Paralympics.

Great Britain’s Aled Davies broke his previous world record in Mexico’s Diana Laura Coraza Castaneda charged down the home straight passing all three of her the shot put F42,throwing 17.52m, 1.39m farther. rivals to take gold in the 800m T11.

ance eclipsing all previous editions of the event MEDALS TABLE combined. London 2017 saw 23 rights holding China 30 17 18 broadcasters (RHBs), fi ve more than the 2015 Worlds in Doha, Qatar. They covered 87 territo- USA 20 19 20 ries, up 20 from Doha. Great Britain 18813 Tunisia’s Walid Ktila and Canada’s Brent Morocco’s defending The eighth edition of the World Para Athletics Lakatos secured four world titles each, champion Mohamed Championships marked the fi rst time the event while Great Britain’s Hannah Cockroft be- Amguoun set a world was held back-to-back with the Inter national came a 10-time world champion on home record in the men’s SPOTLIGHTSPOS TLIGHT ONN 400m T13. Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) tracks. Brazilian Petrucio Ferreira deliv- equivalent. ered more standout performances, leaving TATYANA London 2017 as a world record MCFADDEN (USA) Despite missing much Para athletes returned to the iconic London holder in the men’s 100m and 200m T47. of the build-up to the World Champion- Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the ships after being same venue that staged athletics events dur- Meanwhile, Morocco’s Youssef Beni- hospitalised due to blood clots in her ing the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic brahim clocked 14:20.69 in the men’s legs, she claimed Games. And the 10-day competition saw the 5,000m T13, a 13-second improve- four golds in the 200m, 400m, London 2012 Paralympics legacy live on. ment on the mark set by Tunisia’s 800m and Bilel Aloui at Rio 2016. 1,500m T54. Around 1,300 athletes from 100 countries took part in this year’s Worlds, contesting 213 China fi nished topped of the med- medal events. A grand total of 33 world records als table, highlighted by Zhou were broken in front of record breaking vocal Hongzhuan’s triple gold (wom- crowds and masses of media. Around 305,000 en’s 100m, 400m and 800m tickets were sold, with the total fans in attend- T53).

50 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 www.paralympic.org/london-2017 WORLD SPORT ROUND-UP

8-10 June; 13–16 July; 7–10 September 31 August – 3 September French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open Para Cycling Road World Championships

India sent athletes for the fi rst time to a UCI Para Cycling Road World Championships.

Japan’s Yui Kamiji won three Grand Slams to sit at No. 1 in the women’s singles.

After three rounds of the 2017 UCI Para Cycling Road World Cup, the world’s top cyclists fi nished the season in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, for the Road World Championships.

Alfi e Hewett followed up his Paralympic debut with his fi rst Grand Slam title.

SPOTLIGHT ON All three Grand Slam events saw a diff erent title Kerstin Brachtendorf’s and Tobias Vetter’s victo- MEDALS TABLE SPOTLIGHT ON STEFAN OLSSON (SWE) winner in the men’s singles. ries contributed to Germany’s total haul to fi nish TRISTEN CHERNOVE (CAN) Defeated Argentina’s atop the medals table in Pietermaritzburg, South Germany 10 4 6 Two-time world champion No. 1 Gustavo Fernandez at Great Britain’s Rio 2016 silver medallist Alfi e Hewett Africa. Italy were second, swapping positions with on the track in 2016, Wimbledon for his fi rst Italy 743 Chernove added two Grand Slam success in and Sweden’s Stefan Olsson won their fi rst Grand Germany from the last edition from the 2015 World titles on the road. His road 19 years of playing Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland. Netherlands 654 race C2 title made up the sport. for his crash at respectively, while France’s Stephane Houdet won Rio 2016. his fourth at the US Open. The USA’s double Rio 2016 champion Shawn Morelli also delivered a standout performance by winning Japan’s Yui Kamiji wrapped up a fantastic year, win- both events in the women’s C4. Despite being new ning the French Open and the US Open, to add to her to the circuit, Sweden’s Anna Beck won a four- Australian Open title earlier this year. The Nether- way in the women’s road race C3. Slovakia’s lands’ Diede de Groot won her maiden Grand Slam reigning Paralympic champion Jozef Metelka contin- at Wimbledon. ued off his success from Rio 2016 by winning his fi rst World title in men’s time trial C4 In the quad singles, USA’s David Wagner celebrated on home soil as he lifted the US Open trophy.

www.itftennis.com/wheelchair www.cyclingsa.com/2017-uci-para-road-world-champs

52 THEH PARALYMPIANPARALALA YMPYMMPPIAIANIAN 022|2012020170117 TTHEHEE PAPARALYMPIANARALRARAALLYMPYMYMPMPIANANAN 0022|22020120170017 5353 WORLD SPORT ROUND-UP

23–26 August 12–17 September Para Canoe World Championships World Archery Para Championships

MEDALS TABLE China 412

Russia 243 Iran 221

DespiteDespite sayingsaying this yearyear waswas her toughest,toughest, GreatGreat Britain’sBritain’s Emma WiggsWiggs stillstill heldheld ontoonto herher worldworld title.title.

MEDALSMEDALS TABLTABLEE AustraliaAustralia 55000

GGreatreat BritaiBritainn 33222 BBrazilrazil 11313

Italy came back to win the men’s team compound gold medal by one point over Iran.

SPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHT ON AustraliaAustralia and GGreatreat Britain once aagaingain sshowed they More than 200 athletes from nearly 40 nations com- CURTISCURTIS are the strongeststrongest countries, fi nishinnishingg atop the medals peted across 14 medal events in Beijing, China. MCGRATHMCGRATH ((AUS)AUS) table in Racice, CCzechzech RepubliRepublic.c. DefendedDefended bothboth hishis The host nation showed their strength by winning world goldgold medals, fi ve yearsyears after he lost both his legslegs after AfterAfter experimentinexperimentingg with rowinrowing,g, AustrAustralia’sa Curtis four golds through Zhao Lixue in the men’s recurve ssteppingtepping on a homemade landland-- McGrath decided to stick with canoe. ItIt proved to open, Ai Xinliang in the men’s compound open, Zhou mine in Afghanistan.Afghanistan. SPOTLIGHT ONN be the rirightght decision after winninwinningg the KKL2 and VL2 Jiamin in the women’s compound open and the Chi- ZAHRAZAHRA woworldrld tititles.tles. nese team in the women’s recurve open. NEMATI ((IRI)IRI) IraIraniannian archerarcher unitedunited thethe GGreatreat Britain’s Emma WiggsWiggs has dominateddomin every Great Britain performed a clean sweep in the wom- ParalParalympicympic and world titlestitles withwith her victoryvictory in the women’s WWorldorld ChampionshipsChampionships since 2013,2013 and this en’s W1 event thanks to Jessica Stretton (gold), Jo recurve open.open. yyearear was no exceptexceptionion as she aagaingai took gold Frith (silver) and Victoria Rumary (bronze). in thethe women’swomen’s KL2KL2 event.event. HerHer fellow Rio 20162016 champion Jeanette ChippingtonChippi took The USA’s Jeff Fabry won a long-awaited gold in the ththee wowomen’smen’s 20200m0m KKL1.L1. men’s W1 competition with an arrow upgraded in the fi nal end of his 15-arrow fi nals match with Turkey’s AsAs in RiRio,o, Ukraine’s Serhii Yemelianov pproved he is Omer Asik. too strongstrong in the men’s KLKL33 event.

www.www.canoeicf.comcanoeicf.com www.worldarchery.org 544 THETHT PARALYMPIANPAPARALRRAAALLYMPYMPM IANANAN 0022|201220177 WORLD SPORT ROUND-UP

MEDALS TABLE Australia 100

Brazil 100

Great Britain 100

Netherlands 100 Norway 100

24 September – 1 October World Rowing Championships

Five world champions were crowned in claiming bronze at the 2017 World Para Nordic Sarasota-Bradenton, USA, which was the fi rst Skiing Championships. Worlds held over the new doubled distance of 2,000m. The Dutch boat of Annika van der Meer and Corne de Koning claimed the PR2 mixed In a thrilling PR1 men’s single sculls (PR1 double sculls (PR2 Mix2x). Brazil’s Diana SPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHT ON M1x) race, Australia’s powered Barcelos and Jairo Klug were the fastest in the past Ukraine’s Paralympic champion Roman PR3 mixed double sculls (PR3 Mix2x) and the BIRGITBIRGIT SKSKARSTEINARSTEIN ((NOR)NOR) Adapted quicklyquickly to the new race Polianskyi for the gold. British crew of Grace Clough, Giedre Rakau- distance, winning the gold medal skaite, Oliver Stanhope, James Fox and Anna on top of the World CupCup II eventevent earlier this yyear.ear. Norway’s dual-sport athlete Birgit Skarstein Corderoy fi nished fi rst in the PR3 mixed cox won the PR1 women’s single sculls (PR1 W1x), four (PR3 Mix4+). rounding off a great year which saw her www.worldrowing.com/events/2017-world-rowing-championships/

56 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 WORLD SPORT ROUND-UP

21–22 October 19 October World Para Dance Sport Championships World Para Taekwondo Championships

MEDALS TABLE Ukraine 944

South Korea 231 Belarus 210

Karlygash Tynabekova’s Bollywood choreography helped secure the Kazakh’s fi rst world title.

Amy Truesdale beat Morocco’s Rajae Akermach in the fi nal for the world title.

The fi fth edition of the World Championships held Multiple-European champion Amy Truesdale did not SPOTLIGHT ON MEDALS TABLE SPOTLIGHT ON in Malle, Belgium, saw the biggest gathering of RHEA MARQUEZ AND JUN disappoint on her home mat as she won the women’s LISA GJESSING (DEN) Para dancers to date. Nearly 170 athletes from 22 JULIUS OBER (PHI) over 58kg K44 at the seventh edition of the World Russia 625 Defeated Russian No. 1 countries competed over 18 medals events (up four Marquez fought through a Championships in London, Great Britain. Ayshat Ramazanova shoulder injury as the Filipino pair Turkey 443 for her fourth from the 2015 Worlds), with the freestyle discipline defended their freestyle title and consecutive returning for the second time and being a spectator added the eluded combi Latin to In the women’s up to 58kg K44, Denmark’s Lisa Kazakhstan 200 world title. their golden collection favourite. Gjessing won her fourth world title to remain unbeat- Mongolia 200 event they just missed out on the podium for en at World Championships. Ukraine topped the medals table with 17 total, in- two years ago. Paralympic Kyorugi events only cluding a memorable gold medal performance from Spain’s Alejandro Vidal Alvarez did not let Bopha Ivan Sivak in the men’s single class 2. Although a Defending champion Jesus Yermain Kong continue his hot streak in 2017, as he defeated multi-world and European champion, Sivak won his Fernandez jazzed up the competition the French fi ghter in the fi nal of the men’s up to 61kg qualifi cation points. It welcomed over 260 athletes fi rst individual world title without his wife Nadiia, who with his winning performance in the K43. In another standout performance, Iran’s Mahdi from 59 countries who competed across 14 medal passed away in October 2016. men’s single freestyle class 2. This time Pourrahnama continued his domination in the men’s events. While Poomsae (martial art forms) and Kyoru- he was joined by a bigger and stronger up to 75kg K44, winning his fourth consecutive World gi (sparring) were both contested in London, Kyorugi The Philippines’ Rhea Marquez and Jun Julius Obe- Mexican delegation that took home gold. will be the only discipline contested at Tokyo 2020, ro captured the heart of the judges and audience in fi ve medals total. where the sport will make its Paralympic debut. the combi freestyle class 2. They successfully de- The 2017 World Championships was an impor- www.worldtaekwondo.org fended their title and also added the combi Latin, an www.worldparadancesport.com tant step for the athletes to earn vital Paralympic

58 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 MY GAMES EXPERIENCE

Furrer began celebrating as he approached Grip contracted polio in his left hand At his fi rst Paralympics in 1980 in Geilo, “The Opening Ceremony and the Closing Cer- focus on the winter, competing in fi ve more Gripping Jouko’s the fi nish line, too early as it turned out. when he was four. But he has been a sports Norway, Grip won all three of his cross-country emony were smaller and more modest than editions between 1988–2002. Grip took advantage of his rival’s slowdown, enthusiast since he was young. events: the short and middle distances, today,” Grip said. “The Athlete Village was a Games experiences overtaking him to snatch the gold medal by and relay. magnifi cent mountain village. “There was no other reason than the fact 0.6 seconds. “As a young guy, I found that I was physi- that the competition was tightening all cally talented. In school, I won ski races, even The Paralympics have come a long way since “The atmosphere among the audience was the time,” he explained. “I worked fi ve Amid a glittering career that includes 12 “I reached him to the end and the feeling after against other skiers who raced with two sticks his fi rst Games experience. great. I was a little tense, but after the fi rst ski days a week and I felt that I could not give Paralympic gold medals, Finland’s Jouko Grip the fi nish line was memorable,” Grip said. “The and I with one,” Grip said. “That gave me moti- races I noticed that the hard work I had been everything to both sides. Up to a point, they recalls the one that really stood out. team leader Jouko Sauro shouted lap times vation to compete with able-bodied athletes as doing for several years had made me very com- serve each other, but endurance training the last 2.5km, and I really appreciated that an adult. I often won those competitions both petitive. Therefore I did well in the Games.” eventually suff ers. In skiing you can also be It was his gold in the biathlon race at the encouragement. I felt like he was everywhere. in running and skiing.” successful longer at a higher age. As a runner, 1992 Paralympic Winter Games in Albertville, He then went on to defend his three Paralympic you get slower forcibly in the top level.” France. “It was absolutely an awesome feeling when I titles at Innsbruck 1984. looked at the scoreboard and saw I won with a He tried to repeat his 1984 success in the 1988 Why? Because Grip admits he actually would 0.6-second diff erence.” When the snow melted and the winter season Paralympic Winter Games but could not medal. not have won the race if it was not for the help was over, Grip’s competitive nature kept him of his Swiss opponent Bernhard Furrer. hungry for more. But his passion for the Paralympic Movement remained. So he turned his attention to athletics. He mentored younger Finn athletes like He devoted between two and three hours per Paralympic medallists Ilkka Tuomisto, who day, fi ve days a week, to the sport, and again, took cross-country silver at Sochi 2014, and he saw his hard work pay off . Maija Jarvela, Vancouver 2010 biathlon silver medallist. At New York 1984, Grip claimed gold in the 400m and 1,500m. Grip’s achievements were recognised when he was inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame He says the 400m was one of the most in 2006. He keeps all his medals in a closet at exciting race he has ever taken part in. home.

He was leading until he suff ered a “What makes the athlete a winner? One must hamstring strain. Fellow teammate have so called internal fi re within. Sport needs Reino Peltonen got closer to him to go before everything else. If the fi re burns but Grip still managed to win by out, the athlete will not be able to practice one second. properly and not focus on the essential things of the sport.” He could not repeat his success at the 1988 Sum- mer Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea. He turned his Jouko Grip 12-time Paralympic champion in Nordic skiing and athletics

Jouko Grip at the Paralympic Winter Games in Innsbruck 1984

Jouko Grip also competed in athletics at Seoul 1988 and Stoke Mandeville & New York 1984.

Jouko Grip keeps all his medals in a closet at home.

60 THEHEH PARALYMPIANPARALRAALLYMPYMPPIANIAAN 0202|20122017010 7 THETHTHEHE PAPPARALYMPIANARALRARAALLYMPYMYMPMPIANIAIANAN 0022|201202201700117 UPCOMING EVENTS

The 2017–18 World Cup circuits in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and snowboard will be World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing even more important for athletes as they prepare for PyeongChang 2018.

World Para Alpine Skiing World Cup www.paralympic.org/alpine-skiing

Benjamin Davietet France Has a point to prove,ove,e,e, having won biathlonathlololon 9−17 December 2017 World Cup lastt season, as welll Canmore, Canada as several Worlds medals; 20−28 January 2018 onlyo missing ParalympicP Oberried, Germany goldg 11−16 December 2017 St. Moritz, Switzerland France 3−9 February 2018 Vuokatti, Finland 14-time world and four-time 19−22 December 2017 Paralympic champion. Kuhtai, Austria Can anyone stop her in the women’s standing? 8−9 Januaryry 2018 Zagreb-Sljeme,me, CCroatiaroatia Oleksandra Kononova Carina Edlinger 11−12 Januaryary 20201818 Ukraine Austria Kranjska Gora,ra, SSlovenialovenia Collected plenty of gold hard- Had an outstanding 2016–17 ware from Finsterau 2017, in- season as overall World Cup 15−18 Januaryary 20201818 cluding three individual world winner and two-time world titles in both cross-country champion with guide brother Veysonnaz, Switzerlandwitzerland and biathlon Julian 21−26 Januaryry 20201818 Tignes, Francee World Para Snowboard World Cup www.paralympic.org/snowboard 7−11 Februaryy 20201818 Kimberley, Canadaada (World Cup Finals)als) Anna Schaff elhuber Germany Multi-Paralympic and world champion topped the 2016/2017 World Matti Suur-HamariSuur-Ha Cup overall rankings in the FinlandFinland women’s sitting From 11t11thh pplacelace aatt Sochi 20142014 toto doubledouble worldwor 15−16 November 2017 champion in men’s SB-LL2SB at BigBig White 2017 Mac Marcoux Landgraaf, Netherlands Canada 30 November − 2 December 201717 Four-time champion from Tarvisio 2017 proved he is Pyha, Finlandnd the man to beat in the men’s visually impaired, with guide 5−8 Februaryy 20182018 Jack Leitch Big White, Canadaanada

Live streamed at www.Paralympic.org BibianBibian Mentel-SpeeMentel-Spe Brenna Huckaby NetherlandsNhl d USA Paralympic legend went unbeaten in the women’s After giving birth to her SB-LL2 in the last two Worlds daughter, was unstoppable editions at Big White 2017; now seeks fi rst Paralympic title in women’s SB-LL1 62 THE PARALYMPIANPARALYMPIAN 02|20120177 THETHTHEHE PAPPARALYMPIANARALRARALALYMPYMYMPMPIANIANAN 0202|202012201701017 UPCOMING EVENTS

21–26 November 29 November – 3 December 2–8 December BWF Para Badminton NEC Wheelchair World Para Swimming Championships and World Championships Tennis Masters World Para Powerlifting Championships

ONES TO WATCH

Rebecca Meyers USA Brazil

Sealed her fi rst Paralym- Brazil’s most decorated pic titles at Rio 2016 Paralympian won nine (100m butterfl y S13; medals (four golds) at his 400m freestyle S13; home Paralympics and 200m individual medley returns to his fi rst major SM13), setting world competition since then. records in the 100m and The Korea Badminton Association for the Disabled (KBAD) will host this For a fourth consecutive year, Great Britain will host the year-end tour- 400m along the way. year’s tournament; another important step ahead of the Tokyo 2020 nament which features the top eight men, top eight women and top six Games in which badminton will make its Paralympic debut. quad players in the world.

Ulsan will be the host city of the event, which will gather the world’s best After three years at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this time Para badminton players. The most recent edition of the Para Badminton the tournament moves to Loughborough. Competitions will take place ONES TOO WATCH World Championships, held in Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain, in 2015, at the Loughborough University’s state-of-the-art indoor tennis centre, attracted 232 athletes from 35 nations who competed in 22 medal which was selected by the Tennis Foundation. events. The 2017 edition will be the 24th ITF Masters tournament since the KBAD and South Korea have hosted a number of signature Para inaugural event in the Netherlands in 1994. badminton events in recent years including the Para Badminton World Championships in 2009 in Seoul, the Asian Para Badminton Champion- ships 2012 in Yeon Ju-Gun and the 2014 Asian Para Championships in Siamand Rahman Amalia Perez Incheon in which badminton was played. Iran Mexico

http://bwfcorporate.com/para-badminton www.itftennis.com The strongest man in The nation’s most popular Paralympic history, Paralympian will try to breaking the world record follow-up her Rio 2016 in Rio with 310kg. Will he gold, which was her third go further? consecutive Paralympic title. ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCHWAT Athletes will go for swimming and powerlift- Sport Festival. The Junior World Para Power- ing titles and records in Mexico City, where lifting Championships will also take place on around 1,200 athletes, offi cials and staff from 2 December. 89 countries will gather for the sports’ World Championships. Mexico City 2017 was postponed following a devastating earthquake near the city on OTHER MAJOR EVENTS The World Para Swimming Championships 19 September, almost a week before the com- will be held 2-7 December, while the World petitions were set to begin. Bartlomiej Mroz Karin Suter-Erath Jung Jun Kim Gustavo Fernandez Yui Kamiji Alfi e Hewett 25 November–4 December Poland Switzerland South Korea Argentina Japan Great Britain Para Powerlifting Championships will run 2–8 IBSA Blind Football American www.paralympic.org/mexico-city-2017 December; together, they form the 2017 Para Championships Santiago, Chile Ranked No. 2 in the Will look to regain her No. 1 in men’s singles Enjoying the best year of Went on a 30-match After a breakthrough SU 5, looks to redeem title after a fi nals upset WH 2 will have home his career, having won the winning-streak that 2016 year, won his fi rst himself from silver at the in 2015 in the women’s court advantage. Australian Open. Reached included the Australian Grand Slam in 2017 at 30 November – 6 December last edition in 2015. singles WH 1. the fi nals at Roland Garros Open and Roland Garros the French Open. and Wimbledon, and be- titles, between January IWAS World Games came world singles No.1 and June. Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal for the fi rst time.

64 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 65 THE BIG DEBATE

GREG POLYCHRONIDIS (GRE) 3-time Paralympic medallist; European champion in boccia

high support needs could attract new athletes if they athlete is a person with had seen it on TV. JOHN PETERSSON (DEN) a severe disability that It is a pity boccia – the sport Former IPC Governing Board member, Chairperson of Athletes causes very limited for the athletes with the most with High Support Needs Working Group range of movements. severe disabilities – was not The type of disability may vary televised during Athens 2004, he Paralympic Move- tion, especially grassroots. This and can be caused by genetic London 2012 and Rio 2016. ment is committed to is one barrier that hinders par- abnormalities, problems during Future athletes must watch the What can be done to increase participation of following four athlete- ticipation and development. birth or accidents. sport played at the highest level focused values: courage, to be attracted to it, motivated determination, inspiration Proper adaptation of sporting In my opinion, a HSN athlete is to get involved and inspired to athletes with high support needs (AHSN)? and equality. facilities is one way to better sup- one who needs assistance to compete. port AHSN. Another is to provide perform daily needs such as eat- With this in mind, for me, it is better human resource support. ing or going to the bathroom. This Secondly, the IPC as well as important that the IPC – and the But this leads to increased assistance could be needed 24/7 all the governing bodies of Governing Board in particular – costs. A solution could be low- or for just a few hours per day. the Movement must pay spe- iri Kaderavek is one of the AHSN (e.g. Paralympians!) are work toward implementing its ering entrance fees of AHSN for cial attention to the needs of high support needs (HSN) great motivators and need to values and aspiration by taking competitions, or opening fund- The Paralympic Movement is HSN athletes in the fi elds of swimmers I train. After his get more involved through daily equal care of the entire pool of ing streams for competition or- probably the greatest tool in the assistants, accommodation and bronze medal from Athens programmes. Then hopefully athletes. But discussions about ganisers by applying for Agitos socialisation of persons with special equipment. 2004 in 100m freestyle in people with HSN will naturally what can be done to increase the Foundation grants to increase impairments. This happens in class S1, he said to me: develop their own desire to train participation of AHSN always the number of staff support for two ways: First, the publicity sur- In boccia, athletes from all cat- at the top level. raise questions. AHSN. Another solution to in- rounding the Paralympic Games egories are allowed to have an “The medal is great, I trained hard JAN NEVRKLA (CZE) creasing participation is raising demonstrates the skills, possibili- assistant. In one category, the for that. But you know, people Swimming coach, director and founder of KONTAKT bB I have organised camps for peo- Currently, AHSN represent the visibility of AHSN through ties, willpower and achievements athlete needs minimal help in Swimming Academy beyond Borders always ask me ‘How many of you ple who have obtained spinal about 20 per cent of participants media exposure. of persons with impairments. his/her daily routine, and during competed?’ When I answer six, then cord injuries with a lot of tetra- at the Paralympics. It is hard to the match the assistant is not in- they say ‘Hmmm …’” or immediately after an accident, It can be diffi cult to incorpo- plegics like Jiri, who has come say what the percentage should Whatever solution applied, we This helps change people’s feel- volved. While in another category therefore are self-suffi cient, not- rate them into training with the by as a motivational speak- be, but personally I think it could need to ensure to address the ings from pity and underestima- the athlete needs help 24/7 in It is possible to say HSN swimmers withstanding they require per- higher- class swimmers because er. Paralympians like Vojtech be higher. specifi c needs of athletes and tion, to respect and admiration, his/her daily routine, and during suff er most from the insuffi cient sonal assistance to compete. they need more lane space and Franek and Martin Kovar also their sport. Therefore, fi rst and as well as promoting equalisa- the matches (sometimes three number of competitors; they feel it swim slower. Coaches needs to helped by sharing their person- Who is the group of AHSN? foremost, we need to fi nd a way tion and accessibility. Secondly, matches per day) the assistant is devalues their eff orts and achieve- We have a small number of work out how to give all swim- al stories. AHSN need to serve Generally speaking this group to better understand the specifi c persons with impairments, es- also competing as a ‘sport assis- ments. swimmers with HSN competing mers worthwhile, fair training; as inspirations for others. We of athletes requires greater or needs of AHSN and bring their pecially HSN, are inspired, gain tant.’ In this situation the assis- around the world, and only a and fi nd the right feedback to need developmental and educa- additional human support or fur- concerns forward. This is where respect, and will strive to give tant may not be able to perform Jiri woke up every day before 05:00 select few will go to big compe- HSN swimmer, such as tech- tional camps for coaches, new ther assistance to participate in the IPC Athletes’ Council comes their best. his/her duties. Problems may to train. After training, he went titions. The team with more HSN nique. So improving coachingg potential AHSN swimmers and their sport. An example may be in. With a HSN athlete represent- occur in accommodation as well, directly to his job and returned for athletes usually has more staff education is one solution too toto involveinvolve successfulsuccessful AHSNAHSN a swimmer who needs extra sup- ed on this Council, he/she can But it is important a HSN person mostly because of non-accessi- the afternoon session. He put in support. But more staff support increase participation. ParalympiansParalympians as motivators.motivators. port in the call room before the help push concerns and ideas to knows about the opportunity to ble bathrooms, but also with sin- the work and sacrifi ce like other can be a fi nancial issue. So if race. The type of support diff ers Para sport decision-makers. become an athlete. They need gle rooms for athletes that need high-performance athletes. To reach the number of AHSN is low at Additionally, most swimminging per sport and person. to know there are sports (e.g. assistance during the night. the Paralympic podium, and for oth- events, teams may decide not programmes are orientedted The AHSN Working Group was boccia) based on the power of ers not understand what the medal to enter them in competitions around the top-level athletes andnd Accessibility in facilities has established to tackle issues the mind, not just the body. It has All these obstacles should be meant, is hurtful. because of costs. do not cater to the developmen-en- been a common issue for AHSN. here. But we must do more and changed my life. It can change minimised in order to maintain tal, rehab and socialising level.vel. If facilities are not built to sup- aim not to treat aspects of AHSN others’ lives as well. the quality of life for the athletes But it is true that there needs to be So how do we change this and It is especially hard for peopleple port athletes with high support independently, but to engage during every competition and more AHSN participation. increase AHSN participation? with HSN in the beginning to getget needs, it becomes diffi cult for with other IPC structures (e.g. To attract more HSN persons to keep current athletes involved. motivated to compete at the toptop them to get around and proper- Paralympic Games Committee) become athletes, there needs to At the same time, it will encour- In my defi nition, AHSN are perfectly Swimming is my area of ex- level. We need to be more ly compete. Accessibility is not to improve the athlete experi- be more TV time for sports other age new HSN athletes not to be compensated by rehab since child- pertise, so let us look into HSN motivating and encouraging only important at the Paralym- ence. than athletics and swimming. afraid when competing in these hood (in the case of inborn defects) swimmers. at all levels. pics, but all levels of competi- There are a variety of sports that new environments.

Jiri Kaderavek 66 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 67 ATHLETES’ COUNCIL NEWS APPOINTMENTS AROUND THE PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT Para ice hockey and Athleticsthle Advisory Group formed Para dance sport rep- resentatives elected

Italian Para ice hockey player Andrea Macri and Belgian Para dancer Sofie Cox were voted the Athlete Representatives for their Carlee Beattie Jason Dunkerley Gyu Dae Kim Liam Malone Stephen Miller Marc Schuh Jason Smyth respective sports. Australia Canada South Korea New Zealand Great Britain Germany Ireland

Macri, 26, will serve on World Seven members will form the new World Para Athletics Athletes (F32); Germany’s Marc Schuh (T54); and Ireland’s Jason Smyth Para Ice Hockey’s Sport Technical Advisory Group (AAG). (T13/F13). Committee (STC), and 23-year-old Cox will do likewise on World Para The group consists of athletes from various classes and countries The group’s aim is to represent the views of current athletes and Dance Sport’s STC. They will act as around the world: Australia’s Carlee Beattie (F46/T47); Canada’s make their voice heard within World Para Athletics. To achieve this, the liaison between the athletes and Jason Dunkerley (T11/F11); South Korea’s Gyu Dae Kim (T54); they will consider issues related to athletes and provide advice to the STC, as well as the direct link to New Zealand’s Liam Malone (T43); Great Britain’s Stephen Miller the STC and World Para Athletics Management Team. the Athletes’ Council.

“I especially would like to ensure Paralympic champion Annika Zeyen shows participants some wheelchair basketball moves before playing a game. a balanced approach in the rep- resentation of athletes’ interests, Para sport athletes from around the world Paralympic champion Annika Zeyen led the New Presidential appointments in the Paralympic Movement noting diverse needs of the Para ice came together for the fi rst IPC Athletes’ Forum games. hockey athletes, from the high-per- held 8–11 June in Duisburg, Germany. formance to developing levels,” Rio 2016 bronze medallist Moran Samuel Macri said. More than 80 athletes from 22 IFs and 35 attended as World Rowing’s representative NPCs, as well as representation from the World and commented: “I think it’s very good to Cox said: “As athletes, we experi- Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Athlete Commis- learn not just from your experiences and your ence a Championships or a compe- sion and the IOC Athlete Commission, had an federation’s experiences but from others as BRAZILIAN tition in a totally different way than opportunity to meet with each other and with well, especially from an athlete point of view, PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE a judges or the ones who organise IPC representatives on various topics relating not just from the manager because we are all it. So I think it is very important to to the Paralympic Movement. coming from the fi eld of play and want to help have a voice as athletes in things the sport. I think the combination with the IPC that thetheyy discuss and the choices Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council and the athletes who sit on the diff erent com- they mamake.”ke.” Chelsey Gotell said: “The IPC Athlete Forum al- missions and the mix of diff erent federations Emmanuelle Assmann Mizael Conrado lowed us an opportunity to take a huge step for- was the right passage to build conclusions and ward in improving communication and athlete insights on everything.” representation across all areas of the Paralym- pic Movement. To be a truly athlete-centred or- ganisation, we need to ensure our athletes are informed and educated, and have the ability to be part of the dialogue and decisions that di- rectly impact them.”

Athletes participated in two Proud Paralympi- an workshops to support them both on and off the fi eld of play. John Fulham Thordur Arni Hjaltested They also got to showcase their competitive spirits and play sports. Rio 2016 silver and bronze medallist Grigorios Polychronidis led a boccia demonstration and competition, while Association of Worldwide Paralympic Partner Ottobock pro- Paralympic vided eight new playing chairs for participants Sports to play wheelchair basketball. Former IPC Organisations President and Paralympic wheelchair bas- Reigning Paralympic silver medallist Greg Polychro- nidis demonstrates his sport of boccia at the Forum in (APSO) ketball player Sir Philip Craven and German Duisburg, Germany.

Marc Truff aut Sabrina Ibanez

68 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 69 TOPICTHE LAST WORD

ose Luis Campo was walking create the Youth Parapan American Games. through the in THE LAST WORD The fi rst edition was held in 2005 in Rio de Janeiro in September 2016 Barquisimeto, Venezuela, involving athletes with a smile from ear to ear, star- from 10 countries. He oversaw the latest ing with amusement at the hun- edition this March in Sao Paulo with 800 Jdreds of thousands of people attending IN MEMORY OF athletes from 19 countries taking part. Latin America’s first Paralympic Games. JOSE LUIS CAMPO Months after the hugely successful Toron- He could not have imagined such suc- to 2015 Parapan American Games, Cam- cess 20 years earlier, when he was just po signed a historic agreement on behalf starting to tread the path which would of the APC with the Pan American Sports turn him into one of the main leaders of Organisation (PASO) to work jointly on the the Paralympic Movement in the Ameri- bid process for future Pan Am and Parapan cas. Am Games.

Back then, most countries did not have a He always confronted every new exciting NPC, and the majority of the members of challenge with the same professionalism the IPC from the Americas Region were and love, either when he was giving one of federations for the visually impaired, his physical education classes for people wheelchair athletes or the government. with impairment or when he was leading an APC General Assembly as its President. Despite the size of the challenge and the few resources available, Jose Luis Away from the APC, Campo served on the showed passion, determination and cour- IPC Executive Committee from 1997 to age to help take the Movement forward, ❋ 18 October 1957 – ✝ 16 October 2017 2005 and was an IPC Governing Board enjoying every step he made along the Americas Paralympic Committee President member between 2009 and 2013. He was way. “Jose Luis had the Paralympic spirit (1997–2001, 2001–2005, 2013–2017) also part of the Rio 2016 International coursing through every vein and artery in Olympic Committee Co-ordination Commis- IPC Governing Board Member his body,” said former IPC President Sir (2009–2013) sion, a Paralympic Games that saw NPCs Philip Craven. from the Americas win more medals than ever before. A huge champion and advocate of ath- “I will never forget how he organised almost letes with high support needs, APC Pres- by himself the 2003 Parapan Am Games,” Campo passed away while doing what he ident Campo oversaw the organisation of recalled IPC President Andrew Parsons. had done his entire life: helping others. the inaugural Parapan American Games He suff ered a suspected heart attack while in Mexico City in 1999. “It was amazing to see his passion exciting a participating in a fundraising walk/run event group of volunteers in Mar del Plata and unit- to raise funds for organisations fi ghting Four years later, he received Para ath- ing them around the dream to deliver the best children’s cancer. letes from across the continent at his possible Games, with almost no funding, to the home town of Mar del Plata, Argentina, athletes of the Americas. He was a fi ghter, an His wife Sonia, his children Bernardo, for the next edition of the Games. Cam- example of resilience,” added Parsons. Manuel and Josefi na, and the many friends po was a genuine and humble man who and people he inspired along the way will treated Games volunteers and national In order to give young athletes more oppor- miss him deeply. But his enormous legacy Presidents with the same respect. tunities in the region, Campo also helped will live on.

70 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017 71 Inspiration · Determination · Courage · Equality

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THE PARALYMPIAN 02|2017