Official Magazine of the International Paralympic Committee ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Sport Profile: Table Tennis BT Paralympic World Cup Paralympic Sport in Rwanda g page 7 g page 8 g page 13 Paralympic mascot Sumi enlivens spirit, “ celebrating one year to Vancouver „

g page 4

Sharpshooters Finish Off Winter Season

Ice Sledge Hockey and Slalom. At the event, the overall competitions wrap Nation Ranking was won, for the first up the year for time, by Canada, followed by Austria and the USA. winter athletes Closely in Mt. Washington, Nordic Ski- ers completed their World Cup series The final year before the Vancouver in Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski- 2010 Paralympic Winter Games brought ing. With athletes from 19 different countless high-level performances nations in Comox Valley, the event onto different fields of play, undeni- completed the series with final ran- ably bringing forth great anticipation kings ensuing. for the big event to come. And in Wheelchair Curling, the World Athletes in the Paralympic Sport of Ice Curling Federation (WCF) World Wheel- Sledge Hockey were no less than an chair Curling Championships also had outstanding group of sharpshooters, as athletes finishing their season to the various competitions leading up to qualify for the upcoming Games. The the World Championships Tournaments countries ranked in the top ten com- A and B culminated the winter season. prise Norway, Canada, United States, Most notably, the games in both tour- Korea, Scotland/Great Britain, Sweden, naments determined the qualifiers Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Japan. for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games next year. The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Win- ter Games will take place next year At the 2009 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey from 12-21 March. All Paralympic World Championships Tournament A, Winter sports will be in Canada, in- six teams made that qualification offi- cluding Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross- cial. It was clear in fact from 12 May, Country Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey and the last day of the pool games in this Wheelchair Curling, bringing athletes competition, that teams from Canada, out to show highly-trained and skilled Japan, Norway and USA would proceed performances that will inspire every to the semi-finals, and therefore quali- Paralympic fan around the world. fied for the Vancouver 2010 Paralym- pic Winter Games. For more information about the Paralympic Winter Games, please visit Czech Republic and Italy were two All athletes saw the finals as a clear shot to compete in Vancouver www.paralympic.org. more teams to qualify for Vancouver. After a hard three See footage from Ostrava on www. losses, the Czech Nearly 1,200 kilometres away in Eind- Although the winter season 2008/2009 ParalympicSport.TV. team defeated hoven, the Netherlands, the 2009 IPC is now officially over, and many ath- Korea in the play- Ice Sledge Hockey World Champion- letes undoubtedly have the Vancou- off round 5:1. ships Tournament B took place less than ver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Italy’s play-off two months earlier from 15-21 March, on their minds, the eight team slots for against Germany exactly one year before the Vancouver Ice Sledge Hockey are not completely IPC anniversary had the Italians 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. filled. A Paralympic Qualifier is still in g page 2 scoring in the the wings for four teams whose fate re- penalty shoot- The competition brought out teams from mains undetermined. 20 Years of IPC out, putting them Estonia, Great Britain, Poland, Sweden as the sixth and and host country The Netherlands. The The Paralympic Qualifier in Ice Sledge Interviews with former IPC Presi- final team on the five teams were not only competing for Hockey will include the top two teams dent Dr. Robert Steadward, Hans list. the gold medal, they were also aiming to from Tournament B, Estonia and Swe- Lindstrom and Fred Jansen recall reach the finals which would therefore den, and the bottom two teams from the 20 years of the IPC and the The eight days in put them in the qualification tourna- Tournament A, Germany and Korea. many experiences which have oc- the north-eastern ment for the Vancouver 2010 Paralym- The two winners of those competi- curred along the way. city of Ostrava gave audience mem- score remained 0:0 throughout the pic Winter Games. tions will fill the final two slots for Ice bers and Paralympic fans around the game, but the teams brought on in- Sledge Hockey teams to compete in IPC President Sir Philip Craven also world the chance to experience the creased intensity as the clock contin- Every athlete’s fast-moving sledge on Vancouver. talks about the important role that highly physical Paralympic Sport. The ued to run out. Just when the audience the ice saw this as their chance to volunteers have had on the Para- gold medal battle for example bet- assumed that overtime was inevitable make it to the Games, with Estonia and Finishing up the winter season in Al- lympic Movement and the IPC, and ween USA and Norway filled the first however, Andy Yohe scored the winning Sweden eventually placing in the top two pine Skiing, athletes were in Whistler, the continued support welcomed of three 15-minute periods with power- goal with just over 11 seconds left, spots. The Estonian team took the top Canada, to compete in Downhill, Su- from all around the world. ful strikes and constant defence. The putting the final score at 1:0, USA. position, winning 1:0 against Sweden. per-G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom 2 the PARALYMPIAN IPC 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY – PART I ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Athletes Grow With Organization After

20 Years Former IPC President Dr. Robert Steadward Recalls Progress Over The Years With Hans Lindstrom and Fred Jansen

the president's Message

The number of competi- record six-day run of tions and events this win- the event had many ter season were quite the athletes who were dose of excitement for successful at the Paralympic Winter Sport Beijing 2008 Para- fans around the world. lympic Games see- State-of-the-art venues ing this event as a became fantastic back- key stepping stone in ground settings, and their preparations for countless volunteers did World Championships more than their fair share in 2010/2011 and the in contributing to the suc- London 2012 Para- cess. Now with the winter lympic Games. season 2008/2009 offi- “… we had the cially over, athletes have opportunity to Inside this issue, we the Vancouver 2010 Par- link all Canadians have included a spe- alympic Winter Games in cial section on the 20 with the Paralym- Left Former President Steadward at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games clear view. pic Winter Games year anniversary of the Right The motto ‘No Limits’ was held by all participants throughout the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games next year.” IPC, with interviews of Sport events which have people who have been taken place in Whistler/ a part for the organi- The comprehensive list of changes a disability to work with on an equal without the work in establishing the Vancouver, Canada, this zation for many years. T that has been compiling in recent level. Sport for people with a disability sports technical structure, IPC sports year proved that the upcoming Games Through their eyes and in their years within the Paralympic Movement had in the past principally focused on programme and rules, which was lead will be no less than impressive. Like words, readers have the chance gives anyone a clear picture of accom- rehabilitation through the implementa- by former IPC Executive Committee in Beijing, Paralympic fans will have to experience the past that has plishment and evolution. This year, as tion of remedial exercise and was not Member Hans Lindstrom. Mr. Lind- a chance to witness Paralympic Sport made IPC what it is today. the IPC celebrates its 20 year anniver- really seen as on a high level. strom recalled this as a difficult, but on an elite level, but in its winter form. sary, that list has more defined bor- rewarding task to complete. Winter athletes have been fine tuning We also see the IPC Swimming ders however when focus turns to the “In the 1980s we struggled for our their skills this season in order to not Summit in Berlin covered, with progress of athletes and the actual or- rights, recognition, respect and equal- “When the IPC was founded there was only prepare for the Vancouver Games, athlete interviews from Athletes’ ganization of the committee. ity in order to equate ourselves with no sports programme, no sports tech- but also for qualification purposes. Council members Teresa Perales the so-called normal realm of sport,” nical infrastructure and no compre- and David Smetanine. In the Edu- Dr. Robert Steadward, the former IPC Dr. Steadward said. “Our athletes hensive rules package,” Mr. Lindstrom After the 2009 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey cation and Development section, President, took office when the IPC were considered patients rather than said. “It was necessary to immediately World Championships and the World we examine the success of the was just beginning in 1989. He served high performance athletes and were prepare the constitution for the op- Wheelchair Curling Championships, Paralympic School Day Project until 2001, which erational practicalities of the organ- to name two deciding events, athletes that has been happening in Swe- encompassed three “Sport for people with a disabili- ization.” now have their definitive results with den over the past few years. four-year terms. As their respective ranking, clearing the the first President ty had in the past principally Mr. Lindstrom, who was also with the way for training and Games prepa- The Accessibility section includes of the organization, focused on rehabilitation through IPC at the beginning, said it started ration. an overview of the progress be- he said that there the implementation of remedial almost as a kitchen table operation, cause of the Beijing 2008 Para- was a memorable exercise.” and established itself as a profession- I was at the One-Year-Out celebra- lympic Games. Detailed informa- moment everyday ally recognized and respected organi- tion of the Vancouver 2010 Paralym- tion on the Accessibility Guide and because they dem- zation in the international world of pic Winter Games in March, which an interview with expert Nick Morris onstrated the oppor- sport. Like Dr. Steadward, Mr. Lind- was organized by the Government of both show the plan to success in tunities and changes strom said the enormous change was Canada at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Beijing and how the results re- that were in fact tak- caused by the hiring of qualified, pro- Being there, we had the opportunity main today. ing place right before fessional staff. to link all Canadians with the Paral- his eyes with and for ympic Winter Games next year. Finally, Picking the Vault takes a the athletes. “I think the IPC of today is more united look at the 1960 Games in Rome, and stable, because time has allowed With the winter season complete, Italy, giving readers the chance “There were so many the organization to grow together and other Paralympic sporting competi- to learn about the first Paralym- memorable moments, build and strengthen routines and oper- tions have continued this year. The pic Games. including the debate ating procedures,” Mr. Lindstrom Arafura Games for example, brought and discussions we said. together athletes with a disability in- I hope you enjoy the issue and have had surrounding the tegrated with able-bodied athletes. an incredibly successful summer! creation of the IPC IPC Governing Board Member Fred About 50% of the athletes at the Barcelona 1992 The Games provided a diverse sport- in Dusseldorf, Ger- Paralympic Games competed in Swimming and Jansen said the IPC quickly changed ing environment and experience, and many, to establish Athletics from a gathering of several interest also incorporated the IPC Women in the Headquarters in groups with no funding or regulations, Sport Summit into the 2009 Arafura Bonn,” Dr. Stead- into a solid group of stakeholders sup- International Sports Conference. ward said. “It gave us a home base coached primarily by doctors, nurses ported by professional management with professional staff which would and physical therapists.” in Bonn and better financial support

But the big event was in Manchester Sir Philip Craven, MBE help support our volunteer based or- with harmonized rules. Mr. Jansen had at the 2009 Paralympic World Cup. IPC President ganization at the time, and ultimately After the IPC formed, and the organiza- been part of the IPC for many years, Athletes from all around the world lead to the growth of the Paralympic tion that was built before on volunteers formerly a member of the IPC Execu- competed in four sports, including Movement for our athletes.” grew, the new professional direction tive Committee. Wheelchair Basketball, Track Cy- that was shaping up saw administrative cling, Swimming and Athletics. The From the beginning, the gigantic or- sophistication with technical develop- “The IPC over the years has broadened ganism that is international sport was ments which changed the Paralympic its horizon from exclusively elite sports a challenge for the IPC and other or- Movement quite considerably. Much of to supporting development in nations ganizations representing athletes with that development could not have begun and sports,” Mr. Jansen said. IPC 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY – PART I ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 3

Volunteer Foundation Within IPC

hen looking back at the Paralym- NPCs, Paralympic sports and they popu- The Paralympic spirit that athletes, offi- The IPC acknowledges the talent, com- spirit which is generated by the ath- W pic Movement and its inception, lated the Executive Committee, thus cials, trainers, administrators and Para- mitment and unbreakable spirit that letes and indeed by the volunteers,” the importance of volunteers can never they continue to play a primordial role lympic fans alike have forwarded on to every volunteer has, giving up their he said. “The passion for Paralympic be overstated. They have been crucial in the Paralympic Movement.” other people is created by all of those free time for the benefit of the Para- Sport shown by volunteers is a funda- to the building blocks that have made within the Paralympic Movement. The lympic Sport. mental aspect of this Movement, and the IPC what it is today. Former IPC Executive Committee Mem- idea of putting the needs of others be- without it I am not sure that the Para- ber Hans Lindstrom said that the first fore themselves and living by the ethic Chairperson of the IPC Sports Council lympic Movement will survive.” Volunteers were part of the Opening people engaged in the IPC were in fact of giving first can be considered at the Committee and IPC Governing Board Ceremony in 1948, where Dr. Guttmann volunteers. The numerous enthusiastic heart of the volunteer and others asso- Member Fred Jansen said volunteers The more than 30,000 volunteers in organized the first competition for wheel- people, young and old, spent their full ciated with the Paralympic Movement. have always played a major role in the China for the Beijing 2008 Paralym- chair athletes, called the Stoke Mande- days and at times late nights assisting This brightly-burning spirit remains IPC and it would be difficult for him to pic Games for example showed the ville Games. The first official Para- the organization. today because of the volunteers that imagine the organization without them, openness and desire for people to gain lympic Games in 1960 took place in have devoted their time to the IPC. even with the increased professional knowledge about everything. Sir Philip Rome, Italy, furthering this new develop- “They served the athletes and coaches support in Bonn and elsewhere. said this gave him an immensely posi- ment in sport and bringing along with and team leaders at the Games and All around the world, volunteers have tive impression of their devotion and it dedicated individuals who wanted to it still makes me warm with admira- provided valuable assistance to the “The expertise, drive, passion, energy dedication to the Movement, and great lend a hand in the process. tion and gratitude,” Mr. Lindstrom NPCs, IPC Committees and Councils, and the time that volunteers are giving anticipation for the future. said. “With them and the volunteers and competitions that have taken place. is a great gift,” Mr. Jansen said. “A com- IPC President Sir Philip Craven said that in the NPCs and organizations around Their participation will continue to be a mon saying is ‘you must be nuts to do At the moment, the Headquarters in looking back at the 1950s and 1960s the world, we would not have the great key factor to the Paralympic Movement this’, and I am pleased and proud of Bonn employs more than 30 people, gives perspective on exactly how vital Movement and Games as they are and the IPC. all these ‘nuts’. They really make a dif- but this in no way changes the impor- the volunteers have been to the Para- today.” ference.” tance and continuing need of volun- lympic Movement. teers within the Paralympic Movement. The Paralympic Movement is all about With each person lending their hearts, “The world’s volunteers gathered once a “The idea of putting the needs of others before the people and the volunteers said Sir the four Paralympic values of courage, year at Stoke Mandeville to enjoy Para- themselves and living by the ethic of giving first Philip, and that everyone involved is a determination, inspiration and equality lympic Sport on the highest level, con- can be considered at the heart of the volunteer volunteer at heart. can do no less but continue to shine, currently discussing that it could in further enabling athletes to reach their fact be developed around the globe,” and others associated with the Paralympic “Their hearts have to be locked onto own successes. Sir Philip said. “Volunteers developed Movement.” the spirit of Paralympic Sport and that

“It has made huge steps towards pro- fessionalizing the support for its mem- bers and other relevant bodies dealing The Ability of Athletes With with athletes, sports and nations. The IPC has managed to create much more awareness worldwide and has been successful in attracting media a Disability attention.” Summary of Athletes Who Competed in The Olympic Games Brings The Question of Potentiality to Surface Former IPC President Dr. Steadward said that much of the IPC’s profile over the last 20 years has grown because of its credibility in the international world he Paralympic Games are sus- Even though so many athletes with a dis- The list below comprises athletes with of Sport, Physical Education, and of sport, the good image of the ath- T tainable, and after the enor- ability have previously competed in the a disability who have competed in the Recreation For Those With Disabil- letes, and the media attention. mous success of Beijing, they will Olympic Games, only in 2008 did so Olympic Games. ities. For more information, please continue to be the target for ath- many sporting officials more frequently visit www.palaestra.com. “I believe the other reason for our letes with a disability. There is how- question the dynamics of the Paralym- This article is a condensed version of growth has been the changing atti- ever an extensive history of the pic Games and the Olympic Games. one printed in PALAESTRA: The Forum tude of the general public and the var- Paralympic Movement within not Pistorius has been referenced in cau- ious government agencies around the just the Paralympic Games, but sing a “tipping point” in questioning world,” Dr. Steadward said. “Govern- the Olympic Games. And although the future of the Paralympic Games Athlete Year and City ments have been focusing more and the household name of Paralym- and athletes with a disability. more on opportunities for people and pian Oscar Pistorius (RSA) comes athletes with a disability, as well as re- to mind on the mention of an ath- Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC, George Eyser (USA) 1904 (St. Louis) alizing the importance of focussing on lete with a disability in the Olympic was asked this question in so many ways Oliver Halassy (HUN) 1928 (Amsterdam) public attitudes, law changes and ac- Games, there have been decades over the course of the Beijing 2008 1932 (Los Angeles) cessibility.” of Paralympic spirit already inside Paralympic Games by various journa- 1936 (Berlin) these venues. lists and inquisitive onlookers, as well Karoly Takacs (HUN) 1948 (London) Dr. Steadward said this was realized as during official press conferences. 1952 (Helsinki) because of the growth and success Most recently, but not as publi- He answered each time, saying that Lis Hartel (DEN) 1952 (Helsinki) of the IPC and the Paralympic Move- cized, Paralympians Natalie du Toit the focus is on the present day, and 1956 (Stockholm/Melbourne) ment. (RSA) and Natalia Partyka (POL) to realize the distinction between the Wilma Rudolph (USA) 1956 (Stockholm/Melbourne) competed at the Beijing Olympics two largest sporting contests in the world. 1960 (Rome) “I also believe that throughout the in Swimming and Table Tennis re- Sir Murray Halberg (NZL) 1960 (Rome) last 20 years, we have been blessed spectively. Out of the limelight “At the moment we are happy with the 1964 (Tokyo) with unbelievable leadership,” he said. and into the water, du Toit made format of the Paralympic Games,” Sir Neroli Fairhall (NZL) 1984 (Los Angeles) “Leadership and dedication have come it a point to focus on the competi- Philip said. “I realize that there is a lot Jim Abbot (USA) 1988 (Seoul) from the current President, Sir Philip tion throughout her of interest out there going both ways Tamas Darnyi (HUN) 1988 (Seoul) Craven, the coaches, staff, volunteers, performance, in terms of the future relationship 1992 (Barcelona) and most considerably the athletes. just as Par- between the Paralympic Games Pyambuu Tuul (MGL) 1992 (Barcelona) Not only have they been wonderful am- tyka had her and the Olympic Games, however Paola Fantato (ITA) 1996 (Atlanta) bassadors for themselves, their sport eyes on each the foreseeable future maintains Marla Runyan (USA) 2000 (Sydney) and their countries, but they have also Table Tennis the unique relationship which we Natalie du Toit (RSA) 2008 (Beijing) been great mentors for young people match. currently have.” Natalia Partyka (POL) 2008 (Beijing) with a disability.”

“The Paralympic Games are sustainable, and after the enormous success of Beijing, they will continue to be the Natalia Partyka target for athletes with a disability.” 4 the PARALYMPIAN VANCOUVER ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Vancouver in Less Than a Year

Countdown marker met with festivities at the Canadian capital

Celebrations for the one-year count- Countdown Cake and a festive count- presentations and workshops aiming down to the Vancouver 2010 Paralym- down celebration at the base of the at briefing the NPCs on the prepara- pic Winter Games began in March, with Games venue. tions for the Winter Paralympics, lis- Canadian cities Ottawa, Vancouver and tening to their needs and seeking their Whistler as the background setting. IPC President Sir Philip was at the opinions and suggestions to improve event in Ottawa and said Paralympic the preparations, the seminar included The events of the official day on 12 athletes and fans of the Paralympic a venue tour to competition venues and March included the official raising of Movement are joyfully looking for- the Paralympic Village. the Paralympic Flag at Parliament Hill ward to a unique experience in March and a number of events. Celebrations 2010. At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic were organized by the Government of Winter Games, approximately 600 ath- Canada in Ottawa along with Minis- “From this day onwards, the excite- letes from 45 countries are expected ter of State for Sport Gary Lunn, John ment will mount every single day,” he to compete in five sports: Alpine Ski- Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organ- said. “Preparations related to the Par- ing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, izing Committee for the 2010 Olympic alympic Games are fully underway and Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair and Paralympic Games (VANOC), Carla the courage and determination of Par- Curling. Qualtrough, President of the Canadian alympians will be inspirational for all Paralympic Committee and other high- of us. I can only recommend all to at- For more information, please visit the ranking officials. tend the Games - as a participant, vol- official website at www.vancouver unteer or spectator!” 2010.com. In Vancouver, the public was invited to come and have their photo taken with The following week Sir Philip person- Watch highlights of the event on www. Paralympic mascot Sumi in front of ally invited the National Paralympic ParalympicSport.TV. the Vancouver 2010 Countdown Clock, Committees (NPC) of the world to where cupcakes were served and Par- come to Vancouver and Whistler for alympic stickers handed out. the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. At the same time, the Chef de Mission Whistler at the same time was the place Seminar gathered delegates of around to mingle with some of the world’s top 30 NPCs to receive updates on topics Above Paralympic Flag waves at Paralympic Alpine Skiers starting with including Qualification, Accreditation, Parliament Hill Below Distinguished guests the awards celebration for the IPC Al- Sport Entries, Classification, Sport and were among the many Paralympic pine Skiing World Cup Finals in the af- Venues, Transport, Paralympic Village fans at the event ternoon, followed by the distribution of and NPC Services. Besides various Tickets Now Available for Vancouver

the Closing Ceremony, but pricing will be similar in range.

On hand for the big event were VANOC Executive Vice President (Revenue Marketing and Communications) Dave Cobb and VANOC Vice President (Tick- eting and Consumer Marketing) Caley Denton. Paralympic mascot Sumi was also at the event, accompanied by four Paralympic Winter Sport athletes from Canada aiming to compete at the Van- couver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Josh Dueck (Alpine Ski- ing), Jim Armstrong (Wheelchair Curling), Joe Skillen (Ice Sledge Hockey) and Courtney Knight (Cross-Country Ski-

Official Ticket Kick-off ing) each gave interviews and demonstrated their respective sports and equipment. Official ticket sales for the upcoming VANOC says that 70% of Paralympic Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver events at the Vancouver Winter Games For information on ticket sales and were launched at the beginning of May are available to the general public, with prices, please visit www.vancouver with a kick off that was met with a cele- most tickets ranging in price from 2010.com. bration at the Library Square Confer- CAN$15-30. All Canadian residents, ence Centre at the North Promenade regardless of citizenship, can purchase in Vancouver, Canada. tickets from the Vancouver Organizing Committee either online, by phone, or The 250,000 tickets are currently at box offices in Whistler and Vancou- available on a first come, first serve ver. Non-Canadian residents must pur- basis. They are sold in real-time and chase tickets through their respective there is not a random lottery process NPC or the Official Ticketing in their for any Paralympic event. Paralympic respective territory. fans do have the opportunity to buy Sumi, the Paralympic Mascot, tickets for every session, however some For the Opening Ceremony on 12 March is passionate about the environment sessions have limits on the number of 2010, tickets range from CAN$30- and is a fan of all Paralympic sports tickets one can purchase. 175. Tickets are not yet available for FUTURE GAMES ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 5

Anouncement London 2012 Upcoming Athletes’ Council Elections The latest London 2012 webcam images are always The call for nominations for the All NPCs who have widely and reg- available on the IPC Athletes’ Council (AC) Elec- ularly practiced Paralympic Winter official website tions taking place during the Van- Sport in the past four years will couver 2010 Paralympic Winter have the chance to submit can- Games will be sent out by the IPC didates who demonstrate strong Massive Survey on Accessibility Underway Fourth Co-ordination Commission at the beginning of September. qualities of leadership, accomplish- ment, knowledge and respect, both A major survey has been commissioned to improve accessi- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co-ordina- The IPC AC is composed of nine on and off the field of play. bility in London for all people with and without a disability, tion Commission for the London 2012 Games, including Paralympic athlete representatives for the purpose of creating the most inclusive Paralympic IPC representative Patrick Jarvis, received updates in April elected for a four-year term. Six Further information regarding the Games in 2012. from the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG), the athlete representatives are elected submission process will follow in Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the other organiza- from summer sports and three the coming months. The Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, has made an tions involved in preparing for the Games. from winter sports at the Paralym- official call on everyone who has any difficulty getting around pic Games. Athlete candidates are the British capital to bring in their ideas and suggestions This fourth visit to London was held over three days, and in- nominated by their respective NPC, to improve the city ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic cluded a tour of the site of the Olympic Green in the city’s and must have competed at a Para- Games. Mr. Barnes said that all Paralympians, spectators north east, which will host the majority of the Paralympic lympic Games within the previous and visitors must be able to participate in what London has sports in 2012. During a Paralympic working group ses- eight years. to offer without experiencing obstacles. sion, LOCOG and the IPC discussed the general progress on the Paralympics, with additional focus on Accommoda- The goal of the survey is to bring in everybody who finds it tion, Transport, Venue locations as well plans for selling the difficult to get around the city, including persons with a dis- broadcast rights for the Paralympics. Latest news ability, parents with young children and older adults. The city’s government sees this as a great opportunity to show Said Mr. Jarvis: “We are very pleased with the progress made the world an inclusive and accessible London in 2012, ma- on the planning for the Paralympic Games. Following fantas- king hospitality services available for everyone. tic and colourful Games in Beijing, the distinct potential of Candidate City the Paralympic Games has been fully embraced by LOCOG This accessibility survey is held in partnership with Direct through an integrated working approach.” Enquiries, the Nationwide Access Register. It is part of Tour Concludes a series, and other surveys will follow, covering a range of Around 4,200 athletes from 150 countries are expected issues like parking and getting around London, as well as to participate in the London 2012 Paralympic Games from how people are treated in the city. 29 August to 9 September 2012. The International Olympic Commit- over the course of four days and tee (IOC) Evaluation Commission included meetings with and pres- To take part in the accessibility survey, please go to For more information, please see the official website at for the 2016 Olympic and Para- entations by several Government http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/olympics/accessibility. www.london2012.com. lympic Games finished its busy representatives, such as Minister four-city tour in early May, offi- of Sport Orlando Silva, Rio Mayor cially completing the site inspec- Eduardo Paes and Governor Sergio tions. The Commission including Cabral, Rio 2016 Bid Committee IPC representative Greg Hartung, members, as well as Paralympic is lead by Chairperson Nawal El and Olympic athletes from Brazil. Sochi 2014 Moutawakel. The fourth and final city was Ma- The first stop on the list was Chicago drid (Spain). From 5-8 May, the First Project Review Completed Accessibility Legacy (USA) in early April. The Commis- 2016 Evaluation Commission was sion was presented with details of in the Spanish capital for a series The delivery of the first accessible Para- The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will help to ac- the city’s Candidature File, ranging of meetings and presentations by lympic Winter Games in Russia was over- celerate social cohesion, give access to winter sports and from Environment to Paralympics. representatives from the Spanish viewed in Sochi at the end of April, in- improve quality of life for the 11 million people in Russia During the visit, various federal, Olympic and Paralympic Commit- cluding topics from Venue Development, living with a disability. Sports venues in Sochi will also be state and local government offi- tee, the Spanish government and Transport, Marketing and Communica- fully equipped for people with a disability in keeping with cials, leaders from the business, the bid committee as well as Olym- tions, to Education, Technology and the the IPC requirements. Additionally, the region’s transport civic and community world as well pic and Paralympic athletes. Sochi 2014 Paralympic Legacy. vehicles, infrastructure, and information provision will be as Olympic and Paralympic ath- enhanced for residents and visitors with a disability. letes introduced their respective In Madrid, as well as every other The IPC delegation, which included five representatives, met areas of expertise. The visit ended city visit, the Evaluation Commis- with key officials from the Sochi 2014 Organizing Commit- Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 President and CEO, said: with a tour of the proposed venue sion had an in-depth look, provided tee, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Russian “The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games have reinforced Rus- sites. through presentations and on-site Paralympic Committee and the Olympstroy State Corpo- sia’s commitment to social advancement. In preparation for visits, into 17 different themes, in- ration. During the meetings, Sochi 2014 presented two the Games and Sochi’s continued development into a world Second on the list was Tokyo cluding Paralympic Games, Trans- major programmes to the IPC aiming on changing attitudes class tourist destination, we will set new standards for urban (Japan) in mid-April. The inspec- port, Accommodation, Technology, towards people living with a disability in Russia. planning and development to improve the lives of people tion in the Japanese capital in- Media Operations, Environment with a disability in Sochi and across the nation.” cluded meetings with several and Meteorology, Finance, Secu- One landmark activity agreed to help achieve this is a ‘Para- Government representatives like rity, Sport and Venues and Athletes lympic Day’, which will celebrate the Paralympic Move- For more information about the Sochi 2014 Paralympic the Prime Minister, the Japanese Village(s). ment, and thus educate people living in cities across Winter Games, please visit the official website at www. Olympic and Paralympic Commit- Russia in December 2009. sochi2014.com. tees, Sports Federations, the Jap- The outcome will be summarized anese business community, and in a technical report, which will be Another key element will be fully integrating the Sochi 2014 numerous Olympians and Paralym- published and submitted to all IOC Volunteer Programme into the Paralympic Games prepara- pians which Tokyo has involved in members no later than one month tion, which will see volunteers trained specially to provide the planning process. Along with before the election of the Host City, maximum support for athletes and visitors with a disability. members of the sports community, which takes place on 2 October the Commission also met with vol- during the IOC Session in Copen- The second major programme presented at the Project Re- unteers and was briefed on several hagen, Denmark. view focuses on creating an environment without barriers, subjects such as the Tokyo 2016 with Sochi becoming an accessible and barrier-free city legacy and sustainability. For more information about the bid for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for the 2016 Olympic and Para- and beyond. The third city visited was Rio de lympic Games, please visit the of- Janeiro (Brazil) in late April and ficial website of the IOC at www.

early May. The inspection was olympic.org. The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee plans to promote the Paralympic ideals in Russia 6 the PARALYMPIAN IPC SWIMMING SUMMIT ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Swimming Summit Meets Expectations

Members of the Swimming Community Outline Future with Berlin as a Backdrop

The first three days in June brought out “I hope to bring an Australian vision IPC Swimming to Berlin, Germany, with for Swimming,” Mr. Keogh said. “From the overall goal of engaging each at- my own perspective I would like to see tendee and promoting a real dialogue. coaches having more of a voice. We This was the first IPC Swimming Sum- want the best for the swimmers and mit and it followed in the spirit of the we are the ones dealing with them on IPC Athletics Summit which occurred a daily basis.” just months earlier in Bonn. Mr. Keogh decided to attend the Sum- Before the IPC Swimming Summit, mit because he recognized the oppor- members of the Swimming commu- tunity for him to not only voice his nity undoubtedly had their list of items opinion, but also listen to what other and expectations that they were ready participants wanted to contribute, with to bring to the table in Berlin. As a re- the hope of beginning a new era for sult, the Summit brought organizers IPC Swimming. and participants together to develop many planned-for objectives, as well Athlete David Smetanine from France, David Smetanine, Teresa Perales and Brendan Keogh as find newly discovered ones. member of the IPC Athletes’ Council, saw the Summit as a chance to bring IPC Swimming Sport Manager Agnes a new vision to IPC Swimming, bring- Like other attendees at the Summit, the table for the purpose of listening dations from the 70 participants toward Szilak was the main organizer behind ing people who are connected to the Ms. Perales was very excited about the and learning from others. Finally, “Cre- the future of the Paralympic Sport. the inaugural event. She said there Paralympic sport together to make it event and knew there would be a lot of ate the Wave” wanted participants to was no such gathering since the 2006 stronger. people with the same goal. make the input known and therefore The end of the Summit is but another Sports Forum and there was a need to build the future of the sport. step forward for the Paralympic Sport, align thinking, directions and priorities. “I have been dealing with Swimming “I hope we improve the sport of and will continue to bring more and for a long time now, and I am sure Swimming, work in the athletes’ best The format of the Summit was based on more individuals into the influencial “The IPC Swimming Summit collected that because of this experience, I could interests, and make our competitions Open Space Technology, which is the dialogue. experts from different fields and put contribute to its development,” he said. more attractive to everybody,” Ms. idea that each person will have topics them together to correlate and combine “This is a great opportunity for all of Perales said. or ideas to share, as well as contribute thoughts,” Ms. Szilak said. “The Summit us to take the time and discuss impor- to other topic areas. The organizers of determined our priorities, where we had tant changes.” Sessions Extract Priorities the Summit set the themes mentioned, t o f o c u s fi r s t , a n d w h a t c o u l d b e d o n e l ater.” but the specific order of events and One of the changes that fellow ath- When the IPC Swimming Summit ran workshops was left up to the partici- Ms. Szilak saw the Summit as a chance lete Teresa Perales from Spain hoped through its third and final day, it was pants in the first hour of the first to learn from the past, identifying all to see is improving Swimming for ath- clear that the expectations and goals session. challenges. With 20 countries repre- letes with high support needs. presented were reached. sented at the Summit, this information Discussion papers which were sub- is valuable in finding what does need “I know that it is very difficult, but if The themes of the Summit, “The Water mitted from participants from around to improve to determine the future of we do not, we will lose the Paralym- is Open, Make Your Splash, Create the the world were utilized in each session IPC Swimming. pic spirit and the magic of the sport,” Wave”, gave the participants a chance and expanded upon as everyone had a Ms. Perales said. to put together their ideas and answer chance to have their own opinion heard, “It is important that everybody under- questions beforehand in preparation. getting direct feedback from others. stands the needs of others, and to ac- Ms. Perales was able to bring her ex- “The Water is Open” aimed to look at cept that there might be other matters perience of three Paralympic Games things from all aspects, and thinking The third and final day included a sum- more important,” she said. “Being ob- to the Summit. She competed in Syd- broadly to create changes in the future. mary session which closed the Summit Participants exchange ideas jective is important, as we then are ney, Athens and Beijing. “Make Your Splash” brought ideas to with general feedback and recommen- able to accomplish more.” “I want to explain the importance of Australia’s Swimming coach Brendan practice and sport from an active point Keogh agrees with Ms. Szilak. Before of view,” Ms. Perales said. “I train a lot, the Summit he explained that there I compete and I know what it means was a need to have a vision in which to make a dream come true. I want other “The organizers of the Summit set the themes mentioned, but the everyone can agree upon, and which athletes to have the chance to do that accurately reflects where the Paralym- as well.” specific order of events and workshops was left up to the participants pic Sport is headed. in the first hour of the first session.”

Discussion papers were sent from all around the world for the Summit The Open Space Technology allows themes to be set at the beginning of an event SPORT PROFILE: TABLE TENNIS ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 7

Para Table Tennis Matched at International Federation

tive media generated. There are var- ious national associations which are not well-off and thus believe that the integration will be costly. We are pro- moting the concepts of reducing du- plication overall in the sport and that there is a value added concept as a result for governments to consider as well as the private sector.

What are the advantages of having the accountability line to the ITTF Board of Directors?

The advantages for us at an interna- tional level mirror those at a national Jordi Serra level. We are able to promote a sin- gle international federation respon- sible for our sport. We incorporated the specific rules for Para Table Ten- ITTF Executive Director Jordi Serra Explains nis into our rules in 2005 and this al- Encompassing Table Tennis Umbrella lows us to move into training umpires and referees to officiate at any Table Tennis event at all levels of our sport. Our Equipment Committee approves As a child, Jordi Serra had always re- How has the integration at a national the tables which are compatible for garded Table Tennis as the sport of his level progressed? players who use a wheelchair. We are ITTF motto life. After trying out his own skills as a working towards an integrated develop- player, he went on to become a coach There is a variation in the level of in- ment programme and have already pro- and an umpire, thoroughly learning tegration from full integration through duced a level one coaching course for about the sport from several perspec- to separate structures in several other potential PTT coaches. This all arises “We are working with the IPC to move up the tives. Eventually, Mr. Serra became in- nations. We are working with the IPC from the accountability to the Board pace of integration, and we hope this will volved in the Barcelona, Catalonia and to move up the pace of integration, and of Directors. Spanish Table Tennis Federations. we hope this will happen in most of our happen in most of our member nations by member nations by the beginning of How can sustainability be best achieved? the beginning of 2010.” Now as Executive Director of the In- 2010. This is when the ITTF national ternational Table Tennis Federation members will be responsible for the Sustainability is not only an issue ap- (ITTF), Mr. Serra recognizes how the entry process to ITTF Para Table Ten- plicable to PTT, but also to ITTF. Every- stakeholders including funders as well remain relevant to internal and ex- sport has grown and the significance of nis (PTT) events including the World day we grapple with how we can im- as ensuring we have a positive reputa- ternal stakeholders, promote good gov- his leadership in moving it forward to- Championships to be held in Korea. prove our services to our membership tion in terms of good governance. ernance, and ultimately expand our gether with the Paralympic Movement. and provide a return on investment. membership. It has become clear that in many na- Sustainability is integrally linked to What are some challenges ahead? Can you describe the integration pro- tions, even though there may not be commitment, and in reality, the com- For more information about ITTF, cess of Para Table Tennis (PTT) into full integration, players with and with- mitment of individuals to Table Tennis The main issue in relation to PTT is please visit www.ittf.com. the International Table Tennis Feder- out a disability often play at the same is the key to sustainability. ensuring that the national and local ation (ITTF)? clubs and indeed against each other integration process is facilitated and To watch Table Tennis footage, visit in local leagues, including sitting play- Many think that sustainability only re- takes root in all of our activities. One www.ParalympicSport.TV. The first contact with ITTF was in ers against players without a disability! fers to finances, but without people the of the main issues for ITTF is to de- 2001. The IPC was also involved fol- I think for both the IPC and ITTF, it ITTF would not exist. Having said that, velop the funding streams for the or- lowing its decision in 2003 to promote has been a steep learning curve but funding does promote overall sustain- ganization including PTT which is a sports independence. The decision by the ITTF promotes “One Sport, One ability particularly since the ability of particular challenge in the current eco- the ITTF was taken in 2005 to inte- Family” and thus is a sport without any volunteers to contribute in the current nomic climate. With the proliferation of grate what was then the International barriers to entry or participation. economic circumstance is certainly sports in the international arena, we are Paralympic Table Tennis Committee being put to the test. Our sustainabili- working to ensure that Table Tennis into the ITTF. The IPC Table Tennis Can you describe your motto “One ty is therefore based on people, our de- and the ITTF remain top of Assembly formally resolved at its as- Sport, One Family”? velopment programmes, delivery to our mind which means we must sembly held in Montreux, Switzerland, appropriately close to the ITTF head- I think it is a very easy way to com- quarters in Lausanne, to recommend municate to everybody our wish of to the IPC Governing Board that it be- full integration. We do not think there comes part of the ITTF. This was for- is a specific “Table Tennis for able- malized in 2007 with the transfer of bodied athletes” and another, “Table governance agreement being signed, Tennis for athletes with a disability”. and the Para Table Tennis Division We all believe that we have only one being born under the ITTF on 1 July sport, which is “Table Tennis”. Every- 2007. This is the technical aspect of body practicing this sport is part of the the integration process between IPC Table Tennis family. and ITTF. Why do some national associations need What has been the response in the inter- guidance in the integration process? national community of the integration? Firstly, many societies have not been It has generally been positive as it is tolerant of disability traditionally and a process being implemented in seve- therefore they need to overcome the Table Tennis ral international federations. With in- stereotypes with which they have grown in Beijing creasing integration at a national level, up. This is an ongoing education issue there is a clear filtering process into and the Paralympic Movement in sport the nation’s society and this can only has promoted this particularly with be good for us all. the Paralympic Games and the posi- 8 the PARALYMPIAN NEWS IN SPORTS ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

BT Paralympic World Cup Finishes Nordic Skiing Finals in Manchester Conclude in Mt. Washington

he annual world class multi-sport James Singleton (USA) and Ian Jones fter the 2009 IPC Biathlon In the Women’s Sitting Biathlon T event for elite international ath- (GBR) took the silver and bronze in the A and Cross-Country Skiing race, Olena Iurkovska from Ukraine letes with a disability did not disap- 100m respectively. Jones also won in World Cup Finals in Mt. Washing- was at the top of the list with 340 point Paralympic fans in Manchester, the 400m, taking the silver medal, fol- ton, Canada, completed the World points, followed by Irina Polyakova Great Britain. In what was created to lowed by David Prince (USA) who took Cup series, final rankings were sub- from Russia and Lyudmyla Pavlenko bridge the gap between the four yearly the bronze. sequently calculated, additionally from Ukraine. In the Men’s Sitting Paralympic Summer Games brought encompassing the 2009 Paralym- category, Georges Bettega from out over 400 participants from over 31 In the Women’s 200m (T46), Russia’s pic Winter World Cup in Solleftea, France took first with 385 points, countries this year from 20-25 May. Nikol Rodomakina and Evgeniya Kuta- Sweden, and the 2009 IPC Biath- followed by Irek Zaripov from Rus- sonova took the gold and silver medals, lon and Cross-Country Skiing World sia and Trygve Larson from Norway. Athletes competed for a total of 357 followed by Poland’s Alicja Fiodorow. Cup in Whistler, Canada. medals with the final two days seeing The Women’s 100m (T44) results had The Women’s Biathlon Standing swimmers cutting through the water at a good mix of winners with Germany’s The big event in Mt. Washington category saw Oleksandra Konon- the Manchester Aquatics Center. The Katrin Green in first, followed by Marie- was the final series of World Cup ova from Ukraine take first with 2008 BBC Young Sports Personality Amelie Le Fur (FRA) and Stefanie Reid races, taking place from 11-14 400 points, followed by Shoko Ota of the Year, Eleanor Simmonds (GBR), (CAN) respectively. March, with athletes from 19 differ- from Japan with 365 points, and took the gold medal in the Women’s ent nations at the Canadian venue Pamela Novaglio from Italy with 100m Freestyle (S6) with a time of The Track Cycling event had an exten- in Comox Valley. 273 points. The Men’s Standing 37.15sec. Simmonds was followed by sive three days of competition, with category saw Nils-Erik Ulset from Natalie Jones (GBR) and Erika Nara a qualification round in the 4km and Finishing atop the list in the Wom- Norway take first with 460 points, (JPN). In the Men’s 100m Freestyle 3km Pursuit filling the first day. On 21 en’s Sitting Cross-Country Skiing followed by Yannick Bourseaux from (S11), Poland’s Damian Pietrasik took May, Great Britain’s Jody Cundy took category was Liudmila Vauchok from France and Grygorii Vovchynskyi the gold with a time of 1:03.41, fol- the gold in the Men’s 1,000m (LC1/ Belarus with a total of 580 points. from Ukraine. lowed by Keiichi Kimura (JPN) and LC2/CP4). Cundy finished at 1:06.03, Following Vauchok were Monica Philip Scholz (USA) respectively. followed by Ishii Masahi (JPN) and Bascio from USA and Olena Iur- Yadviha Skorabahataya and guide Mark Bristow (GBR) respectively. In kovska from Ukraine. In the Men’s Vasili Haurukovich from Belarus Familiar Paralympian Natalie Du Toit the Women’s 500m (LC1/LC2/CP4), Sitting category, Irek Zaripov from once again took first position in The Paralympic World Cup bridges the gap between the Paralympic from South Africa also reached her USA’s Jennifer Schuble set a new world Russia finished first with a total of the Women’s Biathlon Visually Im- Games gold medal target in the Women’s record in her class with 38.957sec. 380 points, followed by Dzmitry paired category with 386 points. 100m Freestyle (S9) with a time of Schuble was preceded by Sarah Storey Loban from Belarus, and Roman She was followed by Russia’s 1:02.42. Du Toit was followed by Great (GBR) and followed by Greta Neimanas Petushkov from Russia. Tatiana Ilyuchenko with guide Valery Britain’s Louise Watkin and Stephanie (USA) in the overall placing. Koshkin and Liubov Vasileva with Milward. In the Men’s 200m Individual In the Women’s Standing Cross- guide Viacheslav Goldinov. In the Medley (SM10), Brazil’s Andre Esteves Athletes in Wheelchair Basketball had Country Skiing category, Anna Bur- Men’s Visually Impaired category, placed first, over four seconds ahead four full days to compete in their Para- mistrova from Russia finished first Thomas Clarion from France with of silver medal winning Lucas Ludwig lympic Sport, with Women’s teams with 340 points, followed by Larisa guide Tommy Terraz took first po- from Germany. Australia’s Rick Pend- from China, the Netherlands, Mexico, Varona from Belarus and Katarzyna sition with 435 points. He was fol- leton and Jeremy Tidy took third and and Great Britain. Men’s teams were Rogowiec from Poland. In the Men’s lowed by Irek Mannanov with guide fourth place respectively. from Germany, Australia, Great Britain Standing category, Ilkka Tuomisto Salavat Gumerov from Russia and and USA. The first day’s third session from Finland finished first with 336 Vitaliy Lukyanenko with guide On 24 May, Paralympic fans got their began with China (Women) winning points, followed by Yoshihiro Nitta Volodymyr Ivanov from Ukraine. first taste of Athletics since athletes against Great Britain 48:46. The sec- from Japan and Nils-Erik Ulset from were inside the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, ond and final game saw The Nether- Norway. The complete World Cup Rankings competing at the Games. Well-known lands (Women) win against Mexico can be found at www.ipc-nordic- Paralympian Oscar Pistorius from 56 : 37. In the Women’s Visually Impaired skiing.org. South Africa was the focus of many Cross-Country Skiing category, spectators as he took two gold medals In the Men’s Final on 23 May, Aus- Yadviha Skorabahataya with guide over the span of the day in the Men’s tralia outscored the USA in every Vasili Haurukovich from Belarus fin- 100m (T44) and the Men’s 400m. quarter, giving them the gold medal ished first with 410 points. Coming win 69:48. The Men’s bronze medal in second and third were Tatiana game saw Great Britain win against Ilyuchenko with guide Valery Koshkin “Paralympic fans got their first taste of Germany 69:49. In the Women’s Final, from Russia and Robbi Weldon with The Netherlands took the gold medal, guide Brian Berry from Canada. In Athletics since athletes were inside the with the silver going to Mexico and the the Men’s Visually Impaired category, Bird’s Nest in Beijing, competing at the bronze to China. Vasili Shaptsiaboi with guide Games.” Mikalai Shablouski from Belarus For full results from the 2009 BT Para- finished first with 405 points, lympic World Cup, please visit www. followed by Russia’s Nikolay btparalympicworldcup.com. Polukhin with guide Andrey Tokarev and Evgeniy For footage of the 2009 BT Paralym- Safronov with guide pic World Cup, go to www.Paralym- Salavat Gumerov. picSport.TV.

The fifth day saw over 100 athletes competing in Athletics in Manchester A total of 19 countries were represented in Mt. Washington NEWS IN SPORTS ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 9

Athletes Power Through Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals Full Programme at Arafura Games

ith eight Paralympic sports on W the schedule at the 2009 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, spectators had the chance to experience a fantas- tically integrated event.

A total of 367 athletes with a disabili- ty from 30 different countries were among the over 3,000 participants. The various sports included Athlet- ics, Cycling (Road), Football 7-a-Side, Powerlifting, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Wheelchair Tennis.

Football 7-a-Side was one of eight Paralympic sports in Darwin On the final day of competition on 17 May, Great Britain claimed their win in Football 7-a-Side against the The event was held from 9-17 May in place at the Darwin Convention Centre, host country. With the final score at partnership with the Oceania Paralym- attendees at the conference had the 2:0, goals were scored from Michael pic Committee and the Australian Para- chance to share knowledge, exchange Wilson and Richard Fox. The bronze lympic Committee, and incorporated information and learn about the cur- medal game earlier in the day between athletes with a disability in the Oceania rent issues which are relevant to their Ko re a and Japan s aw Ko re a win, als o 2: 0. Paralympic Championships. The Oceania respective sport. Canada won the overall Nation Ranking for the first time, followed by Austria and the USA Paralympic Championships were open In the Men’s Powerlifting competition, to eligible athletes with a disability Tine Rindum Teilmann, chairperson of Mohammed Khamiss Khalaf from the from all countries around the world. the IPC Women in Sport Committee, total of 130 athletes from 19 son. The Slalom World Cup Point United Arab Emirates took the first po- was the keynote speaker on the first A countries came to Whistler, Can- List was won by Harald Eder (AUT), sition with a formula score of 195.42. IPC Women in Sport Summit day, addressing Paralympic Sport and ada, for the final races in Downhill, whereas Japanese Taiki Morii placed Coming in second position was Darren in Darwin the growth of the Paralympic Move- Super-G, Super Combined, Giant first in the Giant Slalom World Gardiner from Australia with a score of ment. Ms. Teilmann spoke to the Slalom and Slalom. And after Cup Point List. The speed disci- 180.37. In the Women’s competition, At the beginning weekend of the audience on female participation in four days of exciting competi- plines were dominated by USA’s Tzu Hui Lin from Chinese Taipei took Games, the Arafura Games Interna- sport and sports leadership, and on tions, the 2008/2009 IPC Al- skiers, with Christopher Devlin- first with 114.51, followed by compa- tional Sports Conference held three how to increase the awareness of pine Skiing World Cup season Young winning the Super-G World triot Ya Hsuan Lin with 78.42. The streams as programme cornerstones, female participation and increase the officially ended on 14 March with Cup and Tyler Walker taking the scores are calculated according to the one of which incorporated an IPC opportunities for women in leadership many athletes having reached their Downhill World Cup. German Martin so-called A.H. Formula. This means Women in Sport Summit. inside the Movement. respective finish lines. Braxenthaler finished first in the that the bodyweight of each athlete is Super Combined World Cup and equated to a coefficient that in turn is Called the “Paralympic Sport Stream”, For more information about the 2009 With her wins in the Giant Slalom managed to repeat his win in the multiplied against their best result. the conference provided development Arafura Games, please visit www. and Slalom, Lauren Woolstencroft overall World Cup from last season, opportunities to athletes, adminis- arafuragames.nt.gov.au. (CAN) became the dominating ath- just 13 points ahead of Morii. Paralympian Michael Gallagher from trators, coaches and officials. Taking lete in Whistler, and subsequently Australia stole the spotlight days ear- the best Alpine skier of the sea- After winning the last Giant Slalom lier, after winning the gold medal in the son. In the Women’s Standing cate- race of the season on 13 March, Men’s Cycling Time Trial on 14 May. gory, Woolstencroft won the World Canadian Vivian Forest and her guide Gallagher covered 31.6 km with a time Cup Rankings in Slalom, Giant Sla- Lindsay Debou managed to win the of 45:50min, faster than all other ath- lom, Super-G and Downhill, and Giant Slalom, Downhill, Super Com- letes, including able-bodied. the overall World Cup Ranking of bined and overall World Cup Rank- all disciplines combined. Melania ings this season in the Women’s Gallagher is no stranger to a gold medal Corradini from Italy won the ran- Visually Impaired category. Henri- however, finishing first in the Men’s In- king in Super Combined. eta Farkasova and her guide Nata- dividual Pursuit (LC1) at the Beijing lia Subrtova from Slovakia won the 2008 Paralympic Games, and also the Germany’s Gerd Schoenfelder was as Slalom on 14 March, and finished bronze medal in the Men’s Individual successful as Woolstencroft this sea- first in the Super-G World Cup Point Road Race (LC1-2/CP4). son in the Men’s Standing category. List. The Slalom World Cup was won Schoenfelder won the final Giant by Anna Cohi from Spain and her In Athletics, a World record was broken Slalom and Slalom races in Whistler, guide Raquel Garcia. in the Women’s T42 200m event. Aus- and finished first in all World Cup tralia’s Kelly Cartwright and Michelle Rankings, except the Slalom where Jon Santacana (ESP) together with Errichiello finished their heats both Vincent Gauthier-Manuel from his guide Miguel Galindo domi- before the previous 40.20sec France managed to take first place, nated the Men’s Visually Impaired record. Errichiello ran first, clocking followed by Adam Hall from New category, winning the overall World at 37.79sec. Less than five minutes Zealand and Schoenfelder respec- Cup Rankings, and the Giant Sla- later, Cartwright finished at a time of tively. lom, Super-G, Downhill and Super 36.48sec in the following heat. The Combined World Cup Rankings. athletes share the same coach, Para- The Women’s Sitting category was The Slalom World Cup was won by lympian Tim Matthews. dominated by Austrian skier Claudia Jakub Krako (SVK) and his guide Loesch and Laurie Stephens from Juraj Medera. New Zealand’s Grant Phillip took the the USA. Loesch placed third in the second position in the Men’s Shooting final Giant Slalom race of the sea- The overall Nation Ranking was Air Rifle competition on 13 May, about son, first in the Slalom, and as a re- won, for the first time, by Canada, one point behind Australia’s Jason sult, she placed first in the Slalom followed by Austria and USA. Maroney. In the Men’s Shooting World Cup Rankings. Loesch also Air Pistol competition, Australia took won the Super Combined World Cup For complete results of the IPC Alpine control of the results, with James and the overall World Cup Ranking. Skiing World Cup Finals and the Nomarhas in first position, while team- Laurie Stephens took first place in complete World Cup Rankings, mates Steve McCormack and Mark the Giant Slalom race on 13 March, please visit www.ipc-alpineskiing.org. Gleeson followed in minor placings. and was first in the Downhill and the Giant Slalom World Cup Point Lists. For highlights, watch www.Paralym- Arafura Games have been held every two years in the capital of Australia‘s The Men’s Sitting category saw picSport.TV. Northern Territory, Darwin, since 1991 many different winners this sea- 10 the PARALYMPIAN NPC PROFILE: COLOMBIA ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Paralympic Sport Accelerates in Colombia

With 5,000 athletes represented by the Committee, NPC Colombia has a full schedule of events this year

To be gin with a lit tle his tor y and The two Paralympic medals we won background, the National Pa- made our country very proud. Swim- ralympic Committee (NPC) of Colombia mer Moisés Fuentes took the bronze was created from a legal framework medal in the 100m breaststroke (S4), set by the Associated Sport System and Elkin Serna got the silver medal for people with a physical, mental and in the Men’s Marathon event (T11) on sensory disability. Being part of the the last day. Together, it was the same national sport system, the foundation number of medals that our country’s of the Committee was conceived, pro- Olympic athletes brought home from cessed and submitted by various leaders Beijing. in the Paralympic community. Because the Colombian legislators supported What other competitions or champion- the formation, a clearer pathway for ships have been important globally and NPC Colombia has taken shape. regionally?

Under the umbrella of the committee The important competitions include are five federations, which include the the Parapan American Games, Youth Colombian Wheelchair Sport Federa- Parapan American Games, and the Na- tion, Colombian Sport Federation tional Paralympic Championships. for People with a Visual Impairment,

Colombian Sport Deaf Federation, NPC Colombia also participates in Moises Fuentes won the bronze in 100m breaststroke in Beijing Colombian Sport Federation with World Championships. For example, Cerebral Palsy, and the Colombian we were for the first time at the IPC Special Sport Federation. Athletics World Championships (France What have some of the recent chal- television, getting the most out of the important exposure from the media, 2002), Cycling World Championships lenges been? sports events. We have made an insti- which have spread the awareness NPC Colombia spoke with The Para- (Switzerland 2006), Boccia (Rio de tutional bulletin, called “Paralympic about Paralympic Sport in our country. lympian, highlighting their growth and Janeiro) and Swimming (Bordeaux, The main challenges are the Parapan Facts”, distributed through e-mail. We We had a three and a half hour broad- success in recent years. France). American Youth Games this year in also had an international seminar about cast during the Beijing Games where Bogota, the upcoming Boccia Ameri- Paralympic Sport within the frame of high level sports journalists changed Could you explain the Beijing 2008 We hope to increase our participation ca’s Cup, the Para-Cycling Champion- the upcoming Parapan American Youth their own minds about the Paralym- Paralympic Games experience and the in all Paralympic Sport competitions ships in Cali (Colombia 2010), the Natio- Games in October, and we will organize pic sport concept after becoming more team’s results? in the future. nal Paralympic Championships in 2011. an international Swimming course to- familiar with it. gether with the IPC during the event. Colombia’s team felt it could really Could you explain the main objectives We are also working on the support The audience is learning more about have strong results with our twelve ath- of the Committee? of the candidature for the Panameri- What is the media and audience these sports and they are recogniz- letes in Beijing. It was the first time can and Parapan American Games in response to Paralympic Sport in ing it as high performance, but also in history there were more than ten NPC Colombia is the entity that pro- 2015, taking place in Bogota, and we Colombia? as an opportunity for inclusion. Even competitors at the Paralympic Games. motes the formulation and implemen- would like to strengthen the Paralym- though we currently have a very young At the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic tation of the sport public policy, recre- pic system in looking ahead to the Lon- It is very much optimal. It has been system, it is recognized by all media Games, the participation was almost ation and the sport rehabilitation within don 2012 Paralympic Games. an absolute surprise and something in the country. about half that of Beijing. the Colombian Paralympic System. It we really appreciate. We have had very also co-ordinates and implements the What educational programmes have different programmes of Paralympic taken place in Colombia, related to sports in the Colombian territory, along Paralympic Sport? with its previously mentioned federa- +++ NPC Ticker +++ tions. We are implementing agreements with universities to establish a professorship in Paralympic sports in technical, medi- cal and administrative topics. Mr. Gerard Masson is the new Mr. Davaa Nyamkhuu is the new President of NPC France, Mr. President of NPC Mongolia, and We are also using the web as a teach- Yves Foucault is the new Vice Ms. Nasanbat Oyunbat is the ing method. We have made pedagog- President and Mr. Jean-Paul new Secretary General. ical videos about Paralympic Sport, Moreau is the new Secretary which have been broadcasted on public General. In Austria, Ms. Maria Rauch- Kallat is the new President of Ms. Anne d’Ieteren is the new the NPC, and Mr. Peter Wittman President of NPC Belgium, and is the new Honorary President. Mr. Philippe Mees is the new Secretary General. The term of office is four years. Panagiotis Stamatopoulos is the new President of NPC Greece, Georgios Kouzas is the new First In the United Arab Emirates, Vice President, Ioannis Kara- His Excellence Mohammad Al koulakis is the new Second Hameli is the new President Vice President, and Georgios of the NPC, His Excellence Tariq Fountoulakis is the new Secre- Al Mansouri is the new Vice tary General. President, His Excellence Thani Berregad is the new Second Vice President, and Mr. Majid Columbian athlete Jainer Cantillo Portada Rashed is the new Secretary General. PARTNERS AND PATRONS ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 11

MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC NEWS

allianz Visits World Cup Boosting Scientific Survey in Whistler Presses Education

During the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in Canada, Allianz took the opportunity to film some footage of three athletes. The portraits recorded focused on Danja Haslacher, Martin Braxenthaler and Tyler Walker, all of whom competed in Whistler and are hoping to reach the podium in Vancouver next year. Additionally, Allianz met with the IPC Alpine Skiing Sport Technical Committee, the Vancouver 2010 Preparing Boosting Organizing Committee (VANOC), IPC President Sir Philip, investigation with and the Disable Skiers Association of British Columbia. Stuart Willick at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Allianz, as the Gold Patron of the IPC, has said that Games throughout 2009 they will be creating more “Paralym- Allianz had a strong presence in Whistler pic Moments” in other Paralympic Winter sports like Ice Sledge Hockey, Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing. n 2006, the IPC successfully applied Approximately 40% of the participants I for a World Anti-Doping Agency felt that boosting was more useful in IPC Gold Patron Allianz made its first visit to an IPC World In looking back at the last three years of co-operation with (WADA) Social Science Grant to con- some sports compared to others, while Cup event in March this year at the 2009 IPC Alpine Ski- Allianz, together with its partners have helped foster pub- duct a study on the awareness of 15% indicated the opposite. The re- ing World Cup Finals in Whistler, Canada, in a clear effort lic awareness and create a greater interest in Paralympic boosting by Paralympic athletes. The maining 44% of the participants were to support the Paralympic Winter Sport series. Sport in general. The partnership initiated with the IPC final report was submitted at the end unsure whether boosting was more and the Deutsche Behindertensportverband (DBS) by Al- of April 2009 to WADA by research- useful in some sports compared to This visit is a part of a much broader goal in producing lianz in 2006 continues the commitment to supporting ers in the scientific community, recom- others. a new edition of their “Paralympic Moments” project, athletes in preparing for the Paralympic Games. mending more education programmes which follows their previous work leading up to the Bei- regarding the issue. Contributors to the The following recommendations were jing 2008 Paralympic Games. This time around, Allianz is Together with Paralympic athletes, Allianz wants to share report included representatives of the made by the investigators based on focusing their “Paralympic Moments” on the athletes its passion for Paralympic Sport and provide insight into IPC Sports Science and Anti-Doping the findings: aiming to compete in the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter the Paralympic Movement, spreading emotions associated Committee. Games. The project is a collection of video clips which show with the sports to a broad audience. 1 Develop written educational mate- athletes in their sporting life, taking a look at past Para- Athletes with cervical or high thoracic rials pertaining to the effects of au- lympic Games and looking ahead to Vancouver. For more information about Allianz, please visit www. spinal injuries can suffer from an ab- tonomic dysreflexia and boosting allianz.com. Paralympic Moments will be available start- normal sympathetic reflex called auto- so that athletes, coaches and train- ing next winter on www.ParalympicSport.TV. nomic dysreflexia. This reflex is caused ers can increase their awareness by painful stimuli to the lower part of and knowledge about this prohib- the body, particularly distension or ir- ited method which can be danger- ritation of the urinary bladder. The ous to their health. symptoms of dysreflexia are a rapid rise Edelman and Outstanding in blood pressure, headache, sweat- 2 Coaches and trainers should be ing, skin blotchiness and gooseflesh. educated about this practice and IPC Continue Public Events In serious cases, confusion, cere- convey this information to their ath- bral haemorrhage and even death can letes so that the overall incidence Relations Advance Movement occur. But it also is known that the of boosting can be reduced. condition leads to enhanced perfor- mance capacity. The sympathetic re- 3 Boosting educational programmes The IPC renewed its global working relationship with With each fund- flex may happen spontaneously or may be targeted Edelman as its Official Media & Communications Agency. raising event that be deliberately caused (“Boosting”). The assignment is an extension of an agreement originally carries the banner As this is a health hazard, the IPC for- in regions where the awareness forged in 2006, when Edelman was selected as the IPC’s of the Paralympic bids athletes to compete in a hazard- is low first global public relations agency of record. Movement and the ous dysreflexic state. to junior level so that these in- IPC, further com- dividuals are fully aware of the IPC President Sir Philip Craven said Edelman has been mitment to the fu- The report, entitled “Boosting in Ath- dangers of boosting when they a terrific partner to the IPC over the past three years, ture of Paralympic letes with High Level Spinal Cord become competitive athletes and particularly around the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Sport is openly dis- Injury: Incidence, Knowledge and Atti- to specific sports (e.g., Wheel- Games. “Their expertise in the sports industry and media played. tudes of Athletes in Paralympic Sport”, chair Rugby, Athletics) in which relations, combined with their global reach, has helped had several objectives. The first was the incidence of boosting is likely us improve our global communications efforts, expanding A good example to examine the incidence of boosting to be high the Paralympic message to a much broader audience,” is the IPC Gala in competitive high level spinal cord The IPC Gala was held in 4 said Sir Philip. which took place in St. Laurenskerken, the biggest injured athletes. Additionally, the re- Increase the frequency of boosting Rotterdam, The Ne- church of Rotterdam port aimed to evaluate the knowledge tests at competitions so that the in- Edelman will continue to support the IPC on the devel- therlands, toward and beliefs of the participants with cidence and trends in this practice opment of its global public relations programme and im- the end of last year. respect to the effects of boosting on can be systematically evaluated. plementation in key countries, leveraging the firm’s exper- Funding partner of the IPC, Charity & Sport, organized sport performance and overall health, tise in sports marketing, corporate reputation, consumer the big event to support various development projects of as well as to document their attitudes 5 Further research should be con- and multicultural marketing, and issues management. the IPC all around the world. President of Charity & Sport towards boosting and other perform- ducted on a larger sample size of Edelman’s IPC team, based across the UK, USA, Cana- Rob Visser presented IPC President Sir Philip Craven with ance enhancement strategies in com- competitive spinal cord injured ath- da, Germany and China, will expand to include offices in a cheque for EUR 151,000 that evening, evidence of the petitive sport. letes of both genders with lesion Russia and Australia as part of the new agreement. strong commitment that the organization has toward the levels above thoracic vertebral seg- IPC and Paralympic Sport. Sir Philip said that the suc- The four-phase study had 99 parti- ment six (T6) so that the findings Kate Gordon, Edelman’s UK Head of Sports & Sponsorship, cess of the event in Rotterdam clearly promotes the Para- cipants who completed the survey, can be generalized to a larger seg- said: “Our relationship with the IPC means a great deal lympic Movement on a large scale. wherein only a little over half had pre- ment of this population. to Edelman on many levels. This project not only offers viously heard of boosting. an interesting and challenging assignment for our sports The Dutch organization aims to bring the worlds of sport To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, teams around the world, but we truly believe in the power and charity closer together. Their goal is to support the Because some competitors were using this is the first study that has systema- of the Paralympic Movement to change attitudes and sporting world in showing more social responsibility and it, the participants in this study, both tically examined the incidence, know- perceptions in a positive way. It is rewarding for us to put doing more for the community. Guided by four key prin- males and females, were strongly op- ledge and beliefs, and attitudes to- our expertise to work for such an important organization.” ciples, including helping others, involvement, goodwill posed to the use of boosting to improve wards boosting in Paralympic athletes and community spirit, Charity & Sport has agreed to raise training capacity, enhance perfor- with high level spinal cord injuries. For more information about Edelman, visit www. funds in the Netherlands for the IPC and the Paralympic mance during competition. This opinion edelman.com. Movement through various activities. was independent of their sport, edu- The full report can be found www.wada- cation level, employment status, and ama.org g Education g Social Science For more information about Charity & Sport, visit www. duration of injury. Research g Funded Projects. charityensport.nl. 12 the PARALYMPIAN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Paralympic School Day Project in Sweden

What began as the Paralympic School Day (PSD) con- The students for example, experienced Alpine Skiing with sit cept has turned into a highly developed educational skis and ski carts, as well as going down hills blind-folded initiative that has been well implemented around Eu- and using a guide. They also had the possibility to try out Education Committee rope. Starting back in 2004, the IPC, in close collabo- Cross-Country Skiing under different conditions. At the ration with the European Paralympic Committee (EPC), same time, summer sports were included in the programme Aims at Awareness initiated a two-year PSD pilot project in Europe. The Swed- including Wheelchair Basketball and Goalball. ish Development Centre for Disability Sport (SUH) was one of the partners that worked together in collaboration with One of the highlight activities during the day was the chance The IPC Education Committee has Changing the perception and atti- the IPC to develop Paralympic Education with PSDs. to meet Paralympian Per Jonsson, an athlete in Athletics. propelled itself over the last few tudes towards people with a dis- Jonsson gave a testimony about his experiences as a partici- years to further its integrating of ability will continue to be on the The pilot project went further, as SUH collaborated with the pant in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and answered Paralympic ideals and values into table of ideas that will guide educa- National Paralympic Committee of Sweden (NPC Sweden) the children’s questions. a system of education. Around the tional programme directors around to initiate a subsequent three-year project. With the pilot world, there already are Paralympic the world into the future. Chairper- project aimed at following the English resource kit provided At the moment, approximately 3,500 children, ages 6-12, School Days which have been heav- son Ann Cody said that Paralym- by the IPC, the three-year project included a resource kit have participated in PSDs, and about 300 high school stu- ily influenced from the committee pic athletes demonstrate courage designed to meet Swedish culture and Swedish needs. dents have been involved as activity leaders. In addition to for example, teaching acceptance and determination and they inspire these numbers, university students and primary school staff and appreciation for people with a others to believe that anything is In order to conduct PSDs successfully, SUH targets having have also been part of the country-wide project. disability. The Paralympic School possible. at least one Paralympian as part of the programme. It is im- Day project in Sweden is one model portant for the children to meet and interact with these ath- The Swedish resource kit for PSD is not only aimed to sup- for what is possible in other coun- “The Paralympic Brand is a bridge letes SUH says, as it provides real sport figures with expe- port organizers in Sweden. Beginning in August 2009, SUH tries, according to the IPC Educa- which links sport with social aware- rience in their field. And with a good resource kit and some will have a web based PSD resource on its website where tion Committee. ness to challenge stereotypes education, many people can be activity leaders including new information and material will constantly be added. and ultimately leads to equality,” high school students. The objective of the committee is Ms. Cody said. The philosophy of Pa- For more information about the Swedish Development Centre to educate the general public with ralympic education will continue As SUH is a resource at a national level however, it is not for Disability Sport, please visit www.suh.se. a specific focus on youth about the to be grounded in a social-rela- possible for actual involvement in every PSD. Therefore, Paralympic Movement. Whether tional model that instils positive SUH has been working in collaboration with NPC Sweden, creating high-quality resources, values.” as well as establishing a university course in adapted physi- encouraging programme implemen- cal activity held in co-operation and on behalf of the Uni- tation, providing Paralympic-speci- For more information about Para- versity of Gaevle. One of the particular tasks of this course fic training or promoting scholarly lympic Education, visit www.para- is for the students to organize a PSD, preferably in their research activities, the IPC Edu- lympic.org g Education. hometowns. After finishing this course, students can be- cation Committee hopes to extend come good resources themselves for continuing to orga- the knowledge and understanding nize PSDs throughout the country. to a global audience.

Currently, PSDs which focus on summer sports have been greater in number across the country. However, because of the high popularity of winter sport in Sweden, emphasis on these other sports has been implemented into the PSD pro- gramme. The organization of the PSDs which focus on win- ter sports has proven to be more demanding and a bigger challenge for SUH, but it continues to be a priority. “At the moment, approximately 3,500 children, In late March for example, the second PSD in winter sports ages 6-12, have participated in PSDs, and about took place at the Lillbo School in the small municipality of Edsbyn, Sweden. A total of 130 students took part in the 300 high school students have been involved as educational sporting event, with various activities to edu- activity leaders.” cate youth about Paralympic Sport. The PSD enabled the The weather in Sweden permitted winter sports to be children to learn about individual differences and disabili- experienced ty issues in a fun and playful environment.

Top Children at Paralympic School Days gain respect and understanding for people’s differences Left Children’s open forum and discussion on Paralympic Sport EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 13

Paralympic Sport Expands in Rwanda

Workshops Lead by NPC Increase Athletes’ Skills in Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes region in Africa has recently been busy A total of 12 coaches and eight referees with creating an improved platform for athletes with a were trained at the workshop in Sitting disability, even amongst the political and economic Volleyball, with coaches from Burundi, difficulties in the area. the Democratic Republic of Congo Kigali and Uganda. Mr. Bizimana said The term “Great Lakes” region refers to a group of countries the two experts helped to con- on the massive continent which includes Burundi, Rwanda, duct the seminar and activities, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya and and as a result, helped to set up Tanzania. And recently, the countries in the region have a calendar for developing the been convening for the betterment of Paralympic Sport, sport up to the London 2012 Para- which therefore increases opportunities for athletes with a lympic Games. disability. “NPC Rwanda is ready to help develop Sitting Volleyball in One of these busy leaders of the workshops and activities Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania by sending experts

Lively instruction with Q&A was part of the programme is the President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) to those countries,” Mr. Bizimana said. “We also had our of Rwanda, Dominique Bizimana. Mr. Bizimana has been in National Championships in Sitting Volleyball from 2-3 May the middle of much of the planning and carrying out for in Rwanda’s North Province.” the education of trainers, judges, referees and athletes in the region. The overall objective at the moment is to prepare the na- tional teams for July’s Open Great Lakes Sitting Volleyball NPC Rwanda organized a seminar this year in April for train- competition in Rwanda, which will be a qualification op- ing in the Paralympic sports of Athletics and Goalball for portunity for the 2010 World Cup Sitting Volleyball com- visually impaired athletes. A total of 20 participants were petition in USA. from Rwanda, as well as one from Kenya and one from the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a result of the trai- NPC Rwanda President Dominique Bizimana has been in- ning, Athletics and Goalball became more of a reality after- volved in sports for most of his life. After he lost his left wards, as the region gained coaches, judges and referees leg in Rwanda’s civil war in 1994, he decided to continue for the sports. competing in sports. In 2001, Mr. Bizimana was asked to develop sports for people with a disability, as only Swim- Mr. Bizimana said the athletes and coaches get to experience ming was available at the time. The same year he partici- the activities and improve their performance techniques pated in a seminar in France about sports for people with with each workshop. a disability, where he received information that lead to the founding of the National Federation of Sports for People “Those activities that we have already done give the athletes with Disabilities in the country. in the Great Lakes region a better path to playing in compe- titions,” Mr. Bizimana said. “And we are planning to bring After being elected Vice President in charge of develop- more athletes to the London 2012 Paralympic Games in ment and technique, Mr. Bizimana started to recruit new Athletics and Goalball, as well as in Cycling and Sitting athletes from the university where he studied how sports Volleyball.” can contribute to the integration of people with a disability into society. Rwanda’s NPC has also been focusing much of their resour- ces on Sitting Volleyball. In November 2008, the committee “I started in Sitting Volleyball as a player, and I managed organized a workshop on the Paralympic Sport, bringing to create a link with WOVD,” he said. “I was elected in the surrounding countries in the region. The workshop President of NPC Rwanda in 2004, and re-elected this year was sponsored by the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in 2009.” and managed to have Jouke de Haan on hand to lead the group. Mr. Haan is an expert in Sitting Volleyball from The Mr. Bizimana said that he will continue to organize semi- Netherlands. He was joined by the President of the World nars in the region, in the hopes of expanding the Paralym- Organization Volleyball for the Disabled (WOVD), Pierre pic Movement as well as athletic opportunities and success

Inside the classroom Van Mannen. for people with a disability.

“The overall objective at the moment is to prepare the national teams for July’s Open Great Lakes Sitting Volleyball competition in Rwanda.”

Top Practical training included competitionon on the court Right Rwanda is pulling together other countries for the future benefit of Paralympic Sport 14 the PARALYMPIAN ACCESSIBILITY ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

Seemless Pathways Mark Beijing

Experience in Beijing and IPC Accessibility Guide Target Future

When the IPC Accessibility Guide Nick Morris is one of two Directors at “One of the biggest challenges was Sally Swanson, an American architect And this pursuit of higher design stan- started to take shape, several goals Morris Goding Accessibility Consul- the day before IPC President Sir Philip specializing in Accessibility and univer- dards is exactly what Nick Morris has were put on the table. Main objectives ting in Australia, and worked with the Craven had to carry the Paralympic sal design who attended the Games, held strong these days. included responding to the needs of IPC during the planning stages for the Torch,” he said. “There was no attach- said the dedication and hard work that the host cities of Olympic and Paralym- Beijing Paralympics. Mr. Morris said the ment to his wheelchair, so we met with went into hosting and staging the event “If you are building venues and pic Games, and creating a benchmark team really had a powerful voice in direc- the Otto Bock Repair Crew to adapt the were evident everywhere. facilities that are going to stand for 40 on accessibility for a global audience. ting the Organizing C ommit tee in Beijing, Torch to make it usable.” years, it is essential that they are uni- These needs can be anything from as many areas in Accessibility were “I was simply overwhelmed by the versally accessible to all community designing venues and services, to re- taken on from the very beginning. Mr. Morris said that winning the silver Opening Ceremony and the joy of the members,” Mr. Morris said. “Because cognizing insufficient legislation, buil- award in Event Services at the Sport- athletes with a disability and visitors one day your city may want to bid for ding codes and learning about estab- One of the first experiences in his Business Management Awards in 2008 alike through an overarching theme of a National Championships, Regional lished practices in the field. going to Beijing prior to the ATHENS was fantastic recognition for not just inclusiveness,” she said. “And getting Championships such as a Common- 2004 Paralympic Games, was pre- his company, but also for the IPC around the city was made relatively wealth or Pan American Games, FIFA Around the same time, everyone who senting workshops to the Organizing team and the Paralympic Movement in simple by a comprehensive transit sys- World Cup or even the Olympics and attended the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Committee on many of the important general. tem, including accessible buses.” Paralympics.” Games witnessed an incredible series Paralympic planning areas including of events that have since gone down in Accessibility. the history books. The people behind much of the work that was needed for “Probably the biggest thing is keep- such a success however, continue to ing the Paralympics on the agenda as utilize the results in maintaining the the Olympic planning is so massive in “Standards in China were raised to incorporate high standard set. its own right,” he said. “I remember accessibility in not only venues and the Athletes’ discussing with the IPC that Air China The building of the IPC Accessibility had little or no ‘aisle’ wheelchairs on Village, but monumental sites like the Great Wall Guide and the experience in Beijing their planes.” and the Forbidden City.” were together driving forces. Just like Beijing, the guide was a long time in Mr. Morris said that soon after word the making. As the now global audi- had gotten through about the lack of “It was widely recognized after the Ms. Swanson continued saying that ence is learning, and so too is the Para- wheelchairs, a total of 956 had been Beijing Paralympics that the impact Beijing made great strides in provid- lympic Movement along with it, many purchased to distribute on the planes. was monumental in terms of changing ing access for people with a disabili- people have wanted to have a stand- China’s perception, integration, expec- ty and has clearly established a new ard to find and reference when plan- Some of the other challenges in Beijing tations and inclusion of people with a threshold for excellence in hosting the ning various facilities. occurred just days before the Games disability,” he said. “Never forget that Games. according to Mr. Morris. He said the there are at least 100 million Chinese Standards in China were raised to busiest time is always the ten days people with a disability, and they now “As someone who has dedicated a ca- Mr. Morris added that many organizers incorporate accessibility in not only before the Opening Ceremony, with can visit the Great Wall of China. That is reer toward enhancing access, I con- of major events, not exclusively with a venues and the Athletes’ Village, but tasks like checking every venue and the impact that the IPC has made and gratulate the people of China for their Paralympic component, are starting to monumental sites like the Great Wall the village making sure the shower to be recognized for that is fantastic.” remarkable achievement and encour- realize that the concept of universal ac- and the Forbidden City. Changes im- seats are correct. age their continued pursuit of universal cessibility presents so many positives. plemented paralleled changes in legis- But the progress and heightened stan- design standards to further embrace Furthermore, it is not just in bidding lation, wherein public buildings and dards was something that was also recog- the concept of mobility for all,” she for major events, but also to be used city transport were also included in nized by many others not directly con- said. by all of the community. the aim toward accessibility. nected to the IPC. A total of five chapters make up the aforementioned IPC Accessibility Guide, beginning with concepts and funda- mental principles comprising equity, dignity and functionality. More specifi- cally, it describes how the benefici- aries of accessibility are a significant segment of the population. The second chapter focuses on the main elements that bidding or hosting cities of the Games should be committed to having to ensure accessibility. Chapter three addresses requirements on Games infrastructure, while chapter four goes into technical specifications. The final chapter targets the staff members of the Games Organizing Committees (OCOGs) and the volunteers.

There are direct and indirect benefits to the guide. The OCOGs benefit most directly, as it provides the outline on making all Games-related infrastruc- ture and services accessible and inclu- sive. Indirectly, local governments and authorities, businesses and tourism organizations will be providing solu- tions and practices, creating a culture of inclusion.

For more information on the IPC Accessibility Guide, contact IPC Head of Paralympic Games Strategic Projects Apostolos Rigas at apostolos.rigas @paralympic.org.

The specially designed torch holder was swiftly made by Otto Bock at the last minute PICKING THE VAULT ISSUE No. 2 | 2009 the PARALYMPIAN 15

Rome 1960

Starting Point For Paralympic Games Still Extraordinary

Sometimes history can blur the past into simply names, Opening Ceremony on 18 September saw a crowd of 5,000 places and a timeline. But if the historian in question takes spectators greeting the colourful entry of the wheelchair the extra minute or two to delve into the fact at hand, then athletes at the Acqua Acetosa stadium. Camillo Giardina, much more can come from that discovery. the Italian Minister for Public Health at the time, declared the Games open. It was the largest international Games to The Games in 1960 were extraordinary. This was the first date with 400 athletes from 23 countries, the largest dele- time the Paralympic Games were put together and assem- gation coming from Italy. bled to be equivalent to the Olympics, in the same city. Founder of the Paralympic Movement Sir Ludwig Guttmann The competitive programme included eight sport events and Director of the Spinal Centre at the Italian institute considered beneficial and suitable for athletes with spinal INAIL Antonia Maglio started preparations in 1958 to stage cord injuries: Snooker, Fencing (foil or sabre), Javelin and what was called the 9th Annual Inter- Precision Javelin, Shot Put, Indian Club national Stoke Mandeville Games (the Throwing (throwing a baton), Men’s term “Paralympic Games” was only Basketball and Swimming (Freestyle, approved by the International Olympic “It was the largest Breaststroke and Backstroke). Other Committee later in 1984). events were: Table Tennis (singles and international doubles), Archery, Dart Archery and The Games were held from 18-25 Sep- Games to date with the Pentathlon (Archery, Swimming, tember under the auspices of the INAIL 400 athletes from Javelin, Shot Put and Club Throwing) and the Italian Olympic Committee, 23 countries, the Programme cover of the Rome Games six days after the Closing Ceremony of Medals were presented in 57 different the XVII Olympic Summer Games. The largest delegation events, with Italy finishing on top, fol- coming from Italy.” lowed closely by Great Britain and USA.

The Closing Ceremony on 25 Septem- ber was held in the Palazetto dello Sport in the Olympic village in the presence of the Patron of the Games and wife of the Italian President Donna Carla Gronchi, and Sir Guttmann.

At the time, Sir Guttmann summed up the Games saying, “the vast majority of competitors and escorts have fully un- derstood the meaning of the Rome Games as a new pat- tern of re-integration of the paralyzed into society, as well as the world of sport.”

Meal tickets for athletes in 1960 ? Crash Course: The Movement

Do you know…

1 Where was the first General Assembly held?

2 How long is the 2009 IPC Conference and General Assembly?

3 What is one of the most important items to be covered at the General Assembly this year? Sir Ludwig Guttmann

4 How many delegates is each member allowed to bring?

5 Where is the General Assembly taking place this year?

alaysia M umpur, L uala K 5

elegates D wo T 4

lections E oard B overning G he T 3

ays D our F 2

ermany G usseldorf, D 1 1 Sir Ludwig Guttmann, Prince Philip and archer at the Opening of the Stoke Mandeville Stadium (1969) 16 the PARALYMPIAN NEWS IN BRIEF ISSUE No. 2 | 2009

New Honorary Board Governing Board International Member Meeting in USA Paralympic Day

er Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Astrid of Belgium accepted he Governing Board (GB) concluded its 52nd official meeting n 11 July, the International Paralympic Day will again be H the IPC’s invitation to become a member of the IPC Honorary T in Colorado Springs, USA, at the end of March. During two O the main event at the Pariser Platz in Berlin, Germany. That Board in late April at an event in Brussels to discuss various issues successful days of meetings at the US Training Centre in Colorado Saturday, Paralympic fans can make their way to the centre of regarding sport for people with a disability. Springs, Headquarters of the US Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Germany capital and experience the excitement of Paralympic US Paralympics, the GB discussed and approved several issues, Sport. In agreeing to join the Honorary Board, HRH Princess Astrid sup- including the adoption of the audited accounts and financial results ports the IPC’s goal in keeping the issue of Paralympic Sport high of the Financial Year 2008. An interesting variety of Paralympic sports will be demonstrated, on the agenda of the global community. including Football 5-a-Side, Long Jump, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Furthermore, the GB approved the action plan presented by the Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Dance Sport. With IPC/ the International Sports Federation for Persons with an In- the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games on the horizon, tellectual Disability (INAS-FID) Working Group as well as a policy the IPC has added the Paralympic Winter sports Biathlon and Ice Laureus Award Winner for recognizing International Federations, a position statement on Sledge Hockey to the programme. Boosting, the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Classifi- cation Programme and a new set of IPC Ethic Procedures, Rules Presentations from the Organizing Committee of future Paralympic he winner of the 2009 Laureus World Sports Awards is Daniel and Regulations. The Board also received updates on the work of Games will also be in attendance, including the London 2012 T Dias from Brazil (Swimming). Nominations had been various IPC Standing Committees and Councils. Organizing Committee. A VIP area will also serve as the reception announced in late April for the World Sportsperson of the Year area for all Governing Board Members, Honorary Board Members, with a Disability category. The list comprised six athletes who were as well as Partners and Patrons. prominent competitors at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games: Highlights will be on www.ParalympicSport.TV. Daniel Dias (Brazil), Swimming (winner); April Holmes (USA), Athletics; Darren Kenny (Great Britain), Cycling; Jonas Jacobssen (Sweden), Shooting; Teresa Perales (Spain), Swimming Zhang Lixin (China), Athletics.

Footage of the Laureus Award winner will be shown on www. Imprint ParalympicSport.TV. Editor: Steffi Klein Assistant Editor: Jeff Wolfshohl Graphic Design: Clever + Klug GmbH Paralympic Values Inside the Movement Printing: welzel+hardt GmbH

All rights reserved © 2009 International Paralympic Committee The Question: ISSN 1609-1329

For subscriptions please visit www.paralympic.org With the Vancouver 2010 Paralym- pic Winter Games one year away, International Paralympic Committee Adenauerallee 212-214 how has it made you aware of the D-53113 Bonn, Germany Paralympic Values? Tel. +49 228 2097 200 Fax. +49 228 2097 209 E-mail. [email protected] Web. www.paralympic.org

Worldwide Partners: Courage Inspiration

“Courage is one of the qualities I value most in people, and “One year before the start of the Paralympic Games is like a I found this to be the case in speaking to athletes with a dis- timeline of the Paralympic cycle energizing the whole system ability at Paralympic events. The One Year Countdown showed of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine. We see the the world how big this event will really be for the athletes, and inspiring and intensive work from all coaches, specialists and I think this value will be easily recognized by anyone who wit- managers as they aim to prepare for the most elite sport event nesses the events.” of the Paralympic Movement. Every day brings us closer to the Games and to those unique and unforgettable feelings of competition and victory.” Gold Patrons:

Her Royal Highness Princess Valery Suskevich Astrid of Belgium President of NPC Ukraine IPC Honorary Board Member

The views expressed in The Paralympian are not necessarily those of the IPC. In case of republication of any part of The Paralympian, please send a copy to the IPC. Determination Equality The publisher reserves the right to edit submitted articles. The International Paralympic Committee endeavours to be as current and accurate as possible with this publication, aiming “With the Vancouver Paralympics being less than a year away, “In watching the celebration, it was clear to me that organizers to treat all readers with courtesy and respect. the event takes on even more significance for the athletes and in Canada are delivering an incredible event, and have been We can not guarantee however that the information contained in this publication is complete and accurate in all respects and teams involved. After waiting and training for over three years incorporating equality into everything, including the Paralym- readers are taken to understand and agree to this disclaimer for this event, it feels like we are finally on the home stretch pic test events in Whistler. The IPC received a very special upon reading any part of The Paralympian. Articles, pictures and other written or graphic devices pub- which is both exciting and nerve-racking. It is at this time that recognition in the One Year to Go Celebration with the raising lished in The Paralympian may not be reproduced without the determination is critical to continue to push and strive for your of the Paralympic Flag on Parliament Hill as well as a warm prior written permission of the International Paralympic Com- goals in Vancouver.” welcome from Canada’s Governor General, the Rt. Honourable mittee. Michaëlle Jean.” © Photo Credits: Lieven Coudenys (p. 1/2/7), Craig Brough (p. 1/8), NPC Rwanda (p. 1/13), IPC (p. 1/2/4/6/15/16), Jitka Krutlikova (p. 1), VANOC (p. 4), VANOC-COVAN (p. 4/9), Toby Kane Stephanie Keller Gettyimages (p. 5), Sochi (p. 5), Jordi Serra (p. 7), ITTF (p. 7), Michael Regan (p. 8), Sport The Library (p. 8/9), Australian Paralympian IPC Head of Protocol Brent Reid (p. 8), NPC Columbia (p. 10), Allianz (p. 11), in Alpine Skiing and Hospitality Stuart Willick (p. 11), Charity and Sport (p. 11), SUH (p. 12), Ulf Palm (p. 12), Nick Morris (p. 14), IWAS (p. 15), WheelPower (p. 15)