OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT ISSUE NO. 1 | 2012

www.paralympic.org

Centre of Attention How the Paralympics are gaining ground in sponsorship and broadcasting

RZ_Paralympian_01_2012_title_final.indd 1 26.03.12 14:16 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“A cumulative TV audience in excess of 4 billion people is set to 89 watch the London 2012 , and this edition looks skiers competed in closely at the growing appeal of Paralympic Sport to broadcasters this season‘s IPC World Cup and the benefi ts this has in terms of commercial revenue.”

Welcome to the fi rst edition of The Paralympian of give visitors more videos, photos and news about 2012, a year that promises so much for the Para- their favourite athletes, and this issue we take a lympic Movement with the London Games fast look at some of the new pages. approaching. IPC International Partner, Allianz, also tells us about A cumulative TV audience in excess of 4 billion peo- its ‘Believe in Yourself’ section on the new website, ple is set to watch the London 2012 Paralympic whilst Ottobock reveals details about an exciting Games, and this edition looks closely at the growing schools project they have launched. appeal of Paralympic Sport to broadcasters and the benefi ts this has in terms of commercial revenue. NPC Hungary, which hosted an IPC Governing Board in Budapest last year, is our NPC Profi le this IPC Governing Board member Andrew Parsons edition whilst the USA women’s Sitting gives us an insight into the success of the Brazil- team feature in our Team Profi le. ian Paralympic Committee’s proactive media stra- tegy which has led to more TV coverage than ever The winter in the northern hemisphere has seen a before for Paralympic Sport in Brazil. As a result, lot of snow sport competition and we look back at sponsorship income has increased by 1,000 per the best events in our Sport Review section. We also cent in the last eight years. Armed with extra money look ahead to May’s London 2012 Test Events, the to invest in athlete development programmes, BT Paralympic World Cup and June’s IPC Athletics Brazil has started to rise up the medal tables, an European Championships. encouraging sign for them ahead of Rio 2016. Looking even further ahead we report on the It is not just the larger National Paralympic progress for London, and Rio, the host cities Committees that are implementing successful of the next three Paralympic Games. media strategies, however. NPC Namibia also tells us about the success it has had in increasing media In the Medical and Science section anti-doping exposure. is explained with the help of world champion Irish para-cyclist Colin Lynch and IPC Athletes’ Council With London 2012 very much on the agenda, this member Kate Rogowiec. and the next edition of The Paralympian, look closely at all 20 sports that will be played in the Finally, we bring you all the latest news from around British capital. We will inform you about the sport, the world and pick out the key points from last ticket availability and which athletes and teams December’s IPC General Assembly in , China. are the ones to watch between 29 August and Enjoy the magazine. 9 September.

Ones to Watch is also one of the many new features on the new look IPC website www.paralympic.org which was launched around the time of 200 days to go until London 2012. Designed and developed Sir Philip Craven, MBE by IPC worldwide partner Atos, the new site aims to IPC President

Switzerland’s Christoph Kunz won three gold and two silver medals in the men’s Giant Slalom Sitting to take the overall World Cup trophy CONTENT ISSUE NO. 1 | 2012

Enjoy this edition of “The Paralympian” – the offi cial award-winning magazine of the Paralympic Movement!

FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND 06 TEAM PROFILE 30 SPONSORSHIP 2200 See what the USA women’s Sitting Volleyball team has to say ahead As London 2012 approaches, we take a look at how the Paralympic of London 2012 Movement is becoming a more commercially attractive proposition MEDICAL & SCIENCE 32 NEW IPC WEBSITE 12 A focus on anti-doping, including a quiz and interview with Irish world Paralympic.org has had a face-lift, and here is a look at some of its champion para-cyclist Colin Lynch new features SPORT REVIEW 34 PARTNERS & PATRONS 14 A winter sport round up of Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing and Wheel- Ottobock hands out some of its gadgetry to schools and Allianz gets chair Curling plus Athlete of the Month and more involved with the new IPC website SPORT PREVIEW 38 NPC PROFILE 16 A look ahead to up-coming events including BT Paralympic World NPC Hungary talks about its big ambitions for the future Cup, IPC Athletics Euros and London 2012 Test Events

FUTURE GAMES 18 EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT 40

Find out the latest on London 2012, Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 London 2012 gears up for World Sport Day and Sir Philip Craven receives the 2012 GSD Humanitarian Award SPORT PROFILES 20 PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT 42 A look at 10 of the sports for London 2012, with the other 10 to follow in the next edition A fi nger on the pulse of the Paralympic Movement around the world

IPC CONFERENCE AND 1122 GENERAL ASSEMBLY 44

3377 A look back at what happened at December’s 2011 IPC Conference and General Assembly in Beijing, China

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www.twitter.com/paralympic www.facebook.com/ParalympicGames www.youtube.com/ParalympicSportTV www.paralympic.org 06 FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP 07 Out of the Shadows and into the Limelight

Media coverage of Paralympic Sport in recent years has grown signifi - cantly. The London 2012 Paralympics are expected to accumulate four billion TV viewers from around the world. In addition, 6,000 media representatives will be reporting on the Games from the British capital.

Increased media coverage makes the Paralympic brand more attrac- tive to sponsors and many National Paralympic Committees are developing their own media strategies to capitalize on this interest.

Daniel Dias arriving from Beijing in 2008 to be greeted by Brazil’s media 08 FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP 09

Tiago Barbosa BBRAZILRAZIL leading the race at one of Brazil’s most Sydney Beijing important national 2000 2004 2008 events, with sponsor Loterias Caixa in Gold 61416 the backdrop Silver 10 12 14 Bronze 6717

Final position 24 14 9 Sports entered 91217 Athletes competing 64 98 188

Terezinha Guilhermina (fastest visually impaired athlete in the world) in a press conference at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand 2011

rior to the Athens 2004 Para- sending their journalists to Athens. In fact Out of the shadows “We’re fi nally getting to where we wanted to be at the beginning. lympic Games, the work of the they did not want to pay for anything. Brazilian Paralympic Committee Thanks to the strategy, Brazilian TV broadcast The TV channels are buying the rights because they see the value was “completely ignored by In response, the Brazilian NPC bought TV 168 hours of live coverage and news from the P society” according to its President Andrew rights to the Athens Games, hired a produc- Athens Games, where the team won six gold in the Paralympic Games.” Parsons, leading to problems in attracting tion company, and gave 13 Brazilian TV sta- and one silver medal. and activating sponsors. tions everything for free. They even paid for all journalists’ expenses to fl y to to “Because of initiatives like this, people Full circle New Zealand, it paid The Brazilian NPC decided the best way to cover the Games. recognized the Brazilian NPC as a very for journalists to attend change this and raise the profi le of Paralym- young, dynamic, fun and creative organi- The Brazilian team’s performances at Para- and cover the event, pic Sport in Brazil was to get on TV. Sounds expensive, doesn’t it? zation, delivering high quality services to lympic Games and other major Champion- covering all expenses. the athletes and achieving sporting excel- ships has also improved dramatically in recent “Media strategy is fundamental. In the end, At fi rst the NPC’s membership was skeptical lence,” stated Parsons. years, a consequence of athletes benefi ting “At fi rst it was quite a we need revenue and funding for our sport at such a radical approach. from greater investment from the NPC and diffi cult exercise, be- programmes – whether high level or develop- By raising the NPC’s profi le and drawing Federations, who in turn are receiving greater cause our media had ment. If you’re not in the media, if people are “We were 100 per cent sure this was the way attention to Parlaympic success, the NPC fi nancial support from sponsors. a diff erent perception not aware of what you do, the sponsors will to go, but it was hard to convince people. increased sponsorship revenue from one of Paralympic Sport. have no interest in associating themselves Some of our members said, you’re taking million Reals (US$ 340,000) in 2004 to R$ 3.4 TV Globo, one of Brazil’s most popular TV They never thought it with the NPC,” explained Parsons, who was money out of the sports side to invest in this,” million (US$ 1.46 million) the following year. channels, has also recently purchased the was an elite sport,” said convinced that as soon as people saw Para- said Parsons. In 2011, sponsorship had increased to ten broadcasting rights to show the London 2012 NPC Namibia’s Michael lympic Sport on television, they would begin million Reals (US$ 5.37 million). Games. Hamukwaya. to recognize it as elite sport. “No one had done this in the past. There were Kids from social programmes invited by Brazil’s sponsor to cheer for athletes a lot of concerns, so we really had to stick to Year NPC Brazil’s Sponsorship “We’re fi nally getting to where we wanted “We came to see that However, getting broadcast- our strategy.” 2004 R$ 1 million to be at the beginning. The TV channels are the only way we could ers to agree to show Paralym- 2005 R$ 3.4 million buying the rights because they see the value “It’s important you talk to the media and un- get them involved, was to invite some of them pic athletes on TV was not easy. To fi nance the project the NPC called upon 2006 R$ 3.8 million in the Paralympic Games,” said a clearly derstand their problems – not your problems to the international competitions we were the support of an existing sponsor Loterias 2007 R$ 4.6 million delighted Parsons whose team is tipped for – about why they are not covering Paralym- attending. This helped us very much.” After seeing footage, Caixa, the Brazilian National Lottery. 2008 R$ 6.4 million a top-six fi nish in London after coming 14th pic Sport. By understanding what they want Brazilian broadcast- 2009 R$ 7 million in Athens eight years ago. and their challenges, you can create your Hamukwaya said once journalists saw how ers showed some in- “We convinced them in order to maximize 2010 R$ 9 million own strategy to match your resources and serious the training was and how profession- 2011 R$ 10 million terest, but were not their return on investment they should team Smaller scale works too the event you wish the media to cover.” ally the sports were run, they started cover- too keen on paying up with us in this strategy. They paid for part 2012 R$ 10 million ing the sport more. money for broad- of the operation and then we paid for the The key to a successful media strategy ac- One NPC that has enjoyed success on a casting rights or remaining amount,” said Parsons. cording to Parsons, is understanding and smaller scale is Namibia. For the 2011 “When they went back to our country they tackling the obstacles in the way. IPC Athletics World Championships in made sure this information was published.” Andrew Parsons’s risky strategy paid off 10 FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP FOCUS ON BROADCASTING AND SPONSORSHIP 11

Media hype Chicken and egg Allianz is also pleased to be associated with the Paralympic Movement, having fi rst got The essence of the Paralympics and the spirit Greater visibility of the Paralympics has made involved with the IPC in 2006. Today it is the of Paralympians are what draws audiences it an even more attractive proposition for IPC’s fi rst International Partner and a National and broadcasters to the Games according sponsors to invest in, especially in the lead- Supporter of nine NPCs on a local level, a to Gina Lundby, Sports Rights Manager for up to London 2012. partnership that it sees as ongoing. London 2012 at the European Broadcast- ing Union (EBU), which serves 85 national “In all sponsors from the Olympics “Together with the IPC and the NPCs, Alli- media organizations in 56 countries in and also crossed over to the Paralympics for the anz will continue to foster public awareness, around Europe. fi rst time,” said Alexis Schäfer, IPC Market- generate a greater interest in Paralympic ing and Commercial Director. Sport and bring the Paralympic Community “Paralympic athletes do not forward,” said Eike Bürgel, Global Brand perform for money but for “Pleasingly this has been repeated in London. Manager at Allianz SE. However, what we’re now seeing is more spon- recognition of the efforts they sors activating their Paralympic sponsor- Should the Paralympic Movement come out put in their training. ship and using para-athletes to front their of London 2012 with the same momentum it campaigns.” has going into it, then it can only mean great “For many of them competing has changed things and great viewing. their lives, provided them with a goal. View- Whilst supermarket chain Sains- ers are becoming familiar with these excep- bury’s has produced a series of tional performances and over time relate to 90-second fi lms for screening on these athletes which we can all only admire,” Channel 4 featuring British Para- Lundby said. lympians. Visa is using a number of London 2012 hopefuls in its pro- Part of the reason that audiences are engag- motional work and Ottobock has ing more with the Paralympics is the higher erected huge banners of German production standards. athlete Heinrich Popow in Berlin’s The Canadian public became aware of Paralympic sport through media coverage and experiencing the sporting excellence of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics main train station which handles “Only a few editions ago … production was more than 300,000 people per day. Home Games advantage limited to highlights and, given the number of competitions included in each edition of “For a long time, the Paralympics Holding a home Paralympic Games has the potential to leave behind As well as allowing CPC to secure some additional corporate part- the Games, viewers did not have the oppor- was in the shadows and was partly a legacy as the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) found after ners, media coverage of the Vancouver Games has also changed the tunity to understand these sports,” continued pushed out of sports coverage and the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. perceptions of Paralympic athletes. Lundby. into the “Health” category,” said Professor Hans Georg Naeder, CPC’s coverage increased from approximately 25 million media im- CPC is hoping to continue this momentum with a new marketing cam- For the fi rst time, London 2012 will off er live Chairman and Managing Director of pressions during the year before the Games, to 13 to 27 million media paign featuring vignette videos of its “super-athletes” which will be feeds for 11 sports and news and highlights Ottobock, an IPC Worldwide Partner impressions every day during the Games. shown online. packages for every other sport, meaning that since 2005. coverage has the potential to be more exten- CPC is on pace to total 300 million media impressions this year. “We’re trying to emulate the overall sports model where the Wayne sive than ever. “In light of a rapid increase in recent Gretzky’s of the world really increase viewership, participation, social years of public interest in the Para- “Vancouver was a catalyst in getting Paralympic Sport on the map in media numbers, all of those kind of things,” said Storgaard, referring Interest from broadcasters has been im- lympics, Ottobock’s involvement ,” said Henry Storgaard, CEO & Secretary General, Canadian to one of the greatest hockey players of all time. pressive. London 2012 is set to sign agree- in disability sport has markedly Paralympic Committee, which is working hard to get broadcasters to ments with the majority of territories around increased awareness for the com- cover London 2012 in a similar way. the world and, in each case, broadcasters pany,” Naeder added. Marcel Hug is one of the faces of Allianz’s airport campaign have guaranteed record levels of cover- age for London 2012 compared to previous BBROADCASTINGROADCASTING TTIMEIME ((H:MM.SS)H:MM.SS) Paralympics. CCUMULATEDUMULATED AAUDIENCEUDIENCE ((MILLIONS)MILLIONS)

“It’s fantastic that millions of people around the world will have the opportunity to watch the London 2012 Paralympic Games,” said Nick Hockley, Head of Commercial Negotiations for LOCOG.

In the UK, Channel 4 acquired the broadcast 617:18.00 1810:18.08 285:20.00 442:20.00 rights and is already broadcasting weekly pro- grammes profi ling Paralympic athletes and 1,862.89 3,842.97 1,421.34 1,559.34 their journeys to compete at London 2012. Athens 2004 Beijing 2008 Torino 2006 Vancouver 2010 Athens 2004 Beijing 2008 Torino 2006 Vancouver 2010 12 NEW IPC WEBSITE NEW IPC WEBSITE 13 IPC Launches New-Look Website

To mark 200 days to go until London 2012, the IPC launched its new- With everything located in one central location, visitors can now read look website on 13 February, which aims to be the world’s leading about their favourite sport or athlete with just one click of the mouse source of information about the Paralympic Movement, including the and can view related videos, images, biographies, results and social Games, its athletes and sports. media feeds.

Designed and built by international IT services company and IPC Allianz, the IPC’s trusted international partner, has a new section on Worldwide Partner Atos, www.paralympic.org integrates the latest the website entitled “Believe in Yourself” that is committed to foster- news, features and blogs with thousands of images of athletes in ing public awareness and generating further public interest in Para- action and hundreds of hours of video footage from previous Para- lympic Sport through promotional videos, information graphics and lympic Games. athlete interviews.

CCARROUSEL:ARROUSEL: The latest news, videos and photo galleries will immediately draw users’ attention to the Paralympic Movement when they land on All NPCs now have their own page on the IPC website, and all www.paralympic.org. include the latest news, photos and video for their respective nations. These sections also incorporate tables that display AATHLETETHLETE OFOF THETHE nations’ medal achievements from the latest Paralympic MMONTH:ONTH: Summer and Winter Games, as well as their NPC social media feeds, athlete biographies and contact information. The fi nal Users can now vote for the IPC’s Devoted readers of the IPC’s award-winning magazine can now feature is a pictograph that illustrates participants by year in SSPORTS:PORTS: Athlete of the Month via a poll on its homepage, and the winner will easily scroll through editions from the past decade and pre- the last few editions of the Paralympics, including the break- All 28 have their appear here. view highlights from the most recent issue in the media centre. down of men and women. own pages, which include the lat- est news, photos and video, as well as historical results and essential contact information.

AATHLETES:THLETES: Fans can take a look at biographies and news for para-athletes SSOCIALOCIAL MEDIA:MEDIA: around the world, and this section includes a new “Ones to Watch” The IPC’s offi cial Paralympic feature, highlighting top athletes Games Facebook page and and teams the IPC believes you @Paralympic Twitter account are should keep your eye on heading now directly linked with the web- into London 2012. site, to make all Paralympic fans feel like they’re in the fi rst row. With a very user-friendly scrollbar, fans can make their way In the lead-up to the London 2012 Games, the IPC is working through past Paralympic Games pages to fi nd out informa- closely with Facebook to create offi cial pages for all of its “Ones tion regarding the competitions, ceremonies, Torch Relay and to Watch” athletes and teams. This will give fans easy access attendance and coverage of each Games edition. They can to follow top competitors as they train for the Paralympics and also view photos and videos, in addition to medals tables and will give them an opportunity to learn more about the athletes a news archive. on a personal level. 14 PARTNERS & PATRONS PARTNERS & PATRONS 15

Believe in Yourself Schools get Hands-On with Gloabal fi nancial-service provider Allianz, Paralympic Equipment the IPC’s trusted international partner, has its own section on the IPC’s new website en- Ottobock, a partner of the Paralympic Games since 1988 titled, “Believe in Yourself.” and IPC Worldwide Partner, will soon distribute resource kits to science and physical education teachers to help build The featured section focuses on the moti- excitement for London 2012 by educating children about vation and strength of Paralympic athletes the equipment para-athletes use to compete. via various short video clips, info- graphics, athlete interviews and a weekly fact for The resource pack is full of useful facts, images and instruc- users. Allianz’s aim is to share knowledge tions on how to build a carbon-fi bre running blade, and con- and inspire everyone to believe in their own tains useful content for lesson planning and group work. abilities. Jerome Singleton’s image will travel the USA on the side of BP trucks The kit contains: Allianz has already released video clips on Paralympic running blade: Description of the blade, Australian sprinter Kelly Cartwright and Swiss BP America Sponsoring Four including how it works, how it is made and how it diff ers wheelchair racer Marcel Hug, both of whom from an everyday prosthesis. are on the IPC’s “Ones to Watch” list. Team USA Athletes Build a Paralympic running blade: A cut-out mould and instructions on how to make a Paralympic running blade It has also published a feature clip and in- In the lead-up to the London 2012 Games, BP, one of the world’s using papier-mâché. formation graphic on ’s Sebastian largest energy companies with operations in more than 100 countries, Paralympic athlete information: Meet Kelly Cartwright Iwanow and Ireland’s Orla Barry, and it will will sponsor four Paralympians from Team USA. from and Heinrich Popow from Germany, two be publishing several more items in the lead competitors the IPC has deemed “Ones to Watch” at up to London 2012 on both the IPC website American swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson, archer Matt Stutzman, London 2012. and Global ParaSport Facebook page. sprinter Jerome Singleton and wheelchair racer Tatyana McFadden Facts and fi gures – With over 20 years’ experience span- will all receive fi nancial support. ning the globe as a Paralympic partner, Ottobock shares wwebeb >> www.paralympic.org/ believeinyourself its knowledge of the Paralympics. “These athletes personify courage and dedication. Many have had Images – Access to images of how a Paralympic running Students in London learn how a Paralympic running blade works to overcome tremendous adversity, which we fi nd inspirational as blade is made and what it looks like in detail. individuals and as a company,” said Steve Williams, Head of U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Programmes for BP America. Throughout the London 2012 Games, 80 Ottobock prosthetists, orthotists and wheelchair technicians will In 2012, the company will support charities related to the athletes’ operate out of three repair centres in the Athletes’ Village, personal causes, as well as local sports clubs to nurture the next the Olympic Park and Weymouth Sailing Village. They will generation of Paralympians. oversee as many as 2,000 repairs for athletes, co-ordinate 15,000 spare parts and replace 2,000 wheelchair tyres. BP America unveiled a series of innovative, interactive trading cards through an “augmented reality” platform this winter. Held up to a computer screen or mobile phone camera, the printed cards come to life as the athletes digitally appear in front of the user with exclu- sive training tips and information about themselves and their sports.

The company has created several videos telling fans why they should support these athletes, held meet-and-greet sessions and even revealed new BP trucks with large images of the Paralympians displayed along the side.

Garcia-Tolson, who won gold and bronze medals at the Beijing 2008 Games, said the sponsorship is simply helping him achieve his dreams.

“BP’s impact on my life is huge,” Garcia-Tolson said. “I’ve always wanted to be the best, and they are able to help me in that pursuit. Germany’s Heinrich Popow educates students about the Paralympic I’ve always believed you can do anything you want to do, and BP is Movement and his training as an athlete helping me make this a reality.” wwebeb >> www.ottobock.com wwebeb >> www.bplondon2012.com 16 NPC PROFILE NPC PROFILE 17

Hungarian medal contenders: Tamas Sors (left), S9 world record holder, Pál Szekeres (centre), a multi-Paralympic medalist in Wheelchair Fencing, and Zsuzsanna Krajnyak (right), a world champion wheelchair fencer

ROAD TO INTEGRATION “We would like to have a bigger team than in Beijing

The process of integration with able-bodied and we would like to win more medals than in Beijing. sports is something Hungarian NPC Presi- At the moment, this seems possible.” dent Zsolt Gömöri sees as the future of sport for persons with a disability. “It was a great challenge for us to be able “For us a very good example is to see how “The biggest challenge for us is integration of to organize such an important IPC event as the IPC is communicating with its sponsors disabled sport and able-bodied sport. the Governing Board meeting,” said Gömöri, and marketing. We would like to follow this who believes the meeting was a great suc- example and use the sponsors that the IPC “For the last two years we have been a mem- cess, both on a wider political level and for already uses,” Gömöri said. “I see a lot of open ber of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and launching the NPC into the media spotlight. possibilities for us that I’ve been working on this relationship is getting stronger. We ex- recently.” The Hungarian Team won four gold, one silver and one bronze at the 2011 Wheelchair Fencing World Cup in Eger, Hungary pect next year to integrate even more with “The President of Hungary received Sir Philip the Olympic Committee, so that in Hungary Craven and they had a very nice long conver- LONDON MEDAL GOALS the two organizations will work together,” said sation in his residence. It was a good oppor- Gömöri. tunity to be in the media and show that the In 2008, 33 athletes represented Hungary at Hungarian Paralympic Committee is impor- the Paralympic Games, winning one gold and Hungarian Gömöri is passionate about sport and believes tant in Hungarian sport life. We wanted to fi ve bronze medals. Gömöri hopes to improve it is only through integration that athletes of show the IPC that we can organize events in both fi gures this year. all physical abilities can achieve sporting ex- the future.” cellence. “We would like to have a bigger team Paralympic Committee The NPC has high ambitions. One event that than in Beijing and we would like to win “The most important point we would like to Gömöri is particularly keen to organize is a more medals than in Beijing. At the moment, emphasize is that this is about sport and not conference for sport medicine and research this seems possible.” Passionate about sport and ambitious The Hungarian Paralympic Com- a social issue. workshops for scientists. mittee was established in 1997, for the future though the Hungarian Sport Federation for “It is very important that the same profes- “I don’t think we’re strong enough in these HHUNGARIANUNGARIAN L LONDONONDON the Disabled had existed before that. sional sporting leaders also train disabled fi elds, so they need to be developed,” Gömöri 22012012 PPARALYMPICARALYMPIC TTEAMEAM ZSOLT GÖMÖRI, PRESIDENT OF NPC HUNGARY athletes with the same sporting venues and said. Hungary fi rst participated in the Rome 1960 on the same level as able-bodied athletes,” Para-Table Tennis Paralympic Games, but did not win a medal Gömöri said. SPONSORSHIP STRATEGY Péter Pálos, Dezső Berecki, András Csonka Zsolt Gömöri founded the Hungarian Wheelchair Fenc- until Fejes András won bronze in a 60m wheel- Judo Nikolett Szabó ing movement in 1991, together with fencing legend Pál chair race in Heidelberg in 1972. To date, BIG AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE Gömöri hopes the NPC’s new sponsorship Wheelchair Fencing Szekeres. After that, Gömöri got more involved in Paralympic Hungarian Paralympians have won 29 gold, strategy will help make it fi nancially stronger. Pál Szekeres Sport, becoming Vice President of the Hungarian Sport Feder- 34 silver and 50 bronze medals. Though the NPC has a small offi ce of just four Richárd Osváth ation for the Disabled and later the Vice President of the Hun- people, Gömöri believes its enthusiasm and “We are trying to introduce ourselves to the Zsuzsanna Krajnyák, garian Paralympic Committee (HPC). Since 2007 he has been the President. In 2000 the Hungarian Sport Ministry was desire to seize communication opportunities, sponsors of the IPC. We’ve managed to make Gyöngyi Dani established under the leadership of Pál will help to launch it to the next stage. a relationship with Allianz, which is the offi cial Shooting Gyula Gurisatti, Szekeres, a Wheelchair Fencing Paralympic insurance company of the Hungarian Para- Krisztina Dávid champion and one to watch at London 2012. In 2011 it hosted a Table Tennis International lympic Team and we signed a special con- Budapest Swimming As a result, in 2004 the Hungarian NPC be- World Ranking Championship, Fencing World tract with them for the Paralympic Games. Tamás Sors, came an umbrella organization for disabled Cup, Powerlifting European Cup and an IPC Zsolt Vereckei sports organizations and able-bodied sports Governing Board meeting. federations with disability sports like table András Csonka (front) is tennis and fencing. training for the London 2012 Paralympic Games 18 FUTURE GAMES LONDON | SOCHI | RIO 19

Sochi 2014 Light up the Future Sochi Volunteers to Learn From London

Rio 2016 First Venue Opens to Public

The Sambodromo became the fi rst London 2012 Rio 2016 Paralympic Games venue to Paralympic Torch to Visit All Regions of be opened to the public in February.

Nearly 1,000 athletes and carnival The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay will A 24-hour Torch Relay, involving 580 torch- revelers took part in a 5.5km race begin in London on 24 August with the light- bearers running in teams of fi ve, will then to mark the reopening of the venue, ing of England’s fl ame in Trafalgar Square. take the fl ame from Stoke Mandeville to the which will host Archery events. Olympic Stadium to light the cauldron at the The United Kingdom’s other three capital Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Para- After the race, veteran ladies from sev- cities – Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh – will lympic Games. eral samba schools performed a tra- then light a fl ame on each of the following ditional fl oor-washing ceremony for days, at special events, and each city will de- Paralympic-only sponsor Sainsbury’s has good luck. velop its own unique method of lighting. produced 10 stirring 90-second films featuring a number of British athletes. The Brazilian government spent R$35 Once the Paralympic Torch (pictured) has Screened on Channel 4, the Games’ offi cial million to renovate the venue four been lit, it will visit local community groups host broadcaster, the clips tell the incredi- years ahead of the Games. and key locations in and around the city. In ble stories of the athletes. addition to the lighting events there will be a Close to 600 construction workers series of evening celebrations called Flame In addition, LOCOG announced that China Two years before the start of the will work at the London 2012 Paralym- took turns to guarantee a 24-hour Festivals, which will include plenty of activi- Central Television (CCTV) will be the Games, the Sochi 2014 Organizing pic Games to gain experience they can workfl ow. Four new grandstands were ties and entertainment. Chinese Rights Holding Broadcaster for the Committee has announced its volun- bring back to their colleagues in Sochi. built on one side of the Sambodromo Each flame will then be taken to Paralympic Games this summer. CCTV teer recruitment programme. similar to those located on the oppo- Stoke Mandeville, spiritual home will broadcast a minimum of fi ve “Sochi 2014 Volunteer Centres have site side, increasing its capacity. of the Paralympic Movement, hours per day during the Para- Anyone between the ages of 18-80 as started massive recruitment of volun- where the four fl ames will be lympic Games to a potential of 2014 will be eligible to volunteer. teers in February 2012 – two years combined at a Paralympic audience of one billion prior to the Games,” said Dmitry Flame Lighting Ceremony viewers in 140 countries Prior to the Games, volunteer events Chernyshenko, President of the Sochi on 28 August to create the and regions. will be held all over Russia, with the 2014 Organizing Committee. London 2012 Paralympic biggest one being organized in Sochi Flame. at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Centre in “We will be the fi rst Organizing Com- wwebeb >> www.london2012.com Krasnaya Polyana. In the presence of mittee in the history of Winter Olym- Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, pic and Paralympic Games to provide volunteers will set on fi re a giant heart a large scale games-time test to our that has already become a symbol of volunteers’ performance prior to their the Sochi 2014 volunteer movement. exposure at Sochi 2014.” wwebeb >> www.rio2016.com The London 2012 Organizing Com- mittee, meanwhile, has selected An estimated 25,000 volunteers will around 100 members of the Sochi work at the Games in Sochi in more 2014 volunteer team to travel to Great than 20 areas, including meeting and Britain this year and become part of greeting delegates at the airport and the London 2012 Games Makers organizing the Closing Ceremony. volunteering initiative. After Russia, Canada has the high- est number of people interested in The rigorous selection process whit- volunteering. Tickets for London 2012 can still be tled down the shortlist of 250 hopefuls purchased through the IPC’s offi cial ticket drawn from the 26 Sochi 2014 Volun- reseller at: teer Centres in Russia. The lucky few wwebeb >> www.sochi2014.com wwebeb >> www.paralympictickets.com 20 SPORT PROFILES SPORT PROFILES 21

London 2012 Sports Profile (Good availability) (Some availability) (Limited availability) Green Amber Red In the next two issues of The Paralympian, all 20 London 2012 sports will be profi led, including quick facts, ones to watch, which teams have We also have a handy ticket availability colour coding: qualifi ed and how the medal standings looked for Beijing 2008. wwebeb >> www.paralympictickets.com

BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008 BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008 Boccia Brazil 2–1 Para-Equestrian Great Britain 55– Korea 2–1 Germany 312 Athletes with severe disabilities showing Portugal 131 … is going home South Africa 2–– incredible abilities Interest in Para-Equestrian has never been Each test is divided into between 20 and 40 QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS as strong as at the London 2012 Paralym- movements. Five judges sit around the arena Boccia is a game of skill, accuracy and Ticket availability: pics with organizers doubling the number of to mark the movements from 0 to 10 and the QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS mental cunning where players with cerebral Venue: Greenwich Park tickets available. marks are added to give the fi nal result. Ticket availability: palsy and other physical impairments try to Dates: 30 August - Venue: ExCeL aim coloured balls as close to a jack ball as 4 September Trond Asmyr, Fédération Equestre Inter- Para-Equestrian is unique in that it involves Dates: 2-8 September possible. Medal Events: 11 nationale (FEI) Director of Para-Equestrian a special co-operation between an animal Medal Events: 7 Classifi cation: Dressage says this is down to the superb and a human being, something Asmyr says Athletes play against the clock. There are Based on the riders’ disability, which infl uences Greenwich Park venue and the British love will transfi x the crowds. four Ends in each match and during each their ability to ride, they compete in one of fi ve of the sport. Classifi cation: grades (1a, 1b, II, III and IV). Riders in 1a have End, each individual or pair throws six ball. “That is the most fascinating both for those BC1 - Players with Cerebral Palsy (CP) who the least functional ability and riders in IV have are able to use their hands or feet to propel a Although it is a physical game, above all, the most functional ability. “Great Britain has always been one of the involved in the sport and also for those who ball into play. Boccia is a game of strategy. Paralympic Games debut: Stoke Mandeville leading nations in Paralympic Equestrian, are watching,” he said. 1984 BC2 - Players with CP with a greater func- which means the interest around Para- tional ability than BC1 players. “When players are sitting there looking at the Athletes expected to compete: 78 dressage in London is huge,” said Asmyr. Riders are able to adapt their riding style, game, you wonder what’s going on in their depending on their disability, such as carry- BC3 - Players with CP or other disability who use a ramp to propel the ball into play mind? How are they going to play this one out? At the Paralympic Games, athletes compete ing the reins in their mouth or carrying extra and are supported by a sport assistant or For them to nail the jack right on is totally in three Dressage tests: a Team Test (with equipment, like a second whip. ‘ramper’. amazing,” Leslie Halicki, Chair of the CPISRA three to four riders per team), an Individual BC4 - Players who do not have CP but have Boccia Committee explained. Championship Test, which is also the wwebeb >> www.fei.org another disability with similar functional abil- second round of the team compe- ity to BC2 athletes. After new qualifi cation rules were introduced, tition, and a Freestyle Test, for Paralympic Games debut: Stoke Mandeville London 2012 will be the fi rst time individual which athletes choose their own 1984 players can qualify without being part of choreography and music. Ones to watch Athletes expected to compete: 104 a team. There is only one gold for the “It’s the fi rst time we’re going to be high- Team Test, making it very Lee Pearson (Great Britain) The Paralympic legend is lighting the very best players in each class,” prestigious. bouncing back from an injury to said Halicki. compete for home crowds. “It’s a fantastic event when you wwebeb >> www.CPISRA.org have a mix of diff erent grades

Ones to watch which work together to ob- Stinna Tange Kaastrup tain the best possible (Denmark) Nigel Murray (Great Britain) Marco Dispaltro (Canada) result,” said Asmyr. The 17-year-old new talent Greg Polychronidis (Greece) The world number one BC2 The former rugby player has hopes to challenge Pearson’s The Beijing silver medallist will player will hope to take advan- come out of nowhere to become dominance. be looking to do one better in tage of being on home soil to a real medal contender in the the BC3 category in London. play for gold. BC4 class. Pepo Puch () Is currently the highest ranked rider on the FEI Paralympic Athletes Individual Ranking List going into London 2012. 22 SPORT PROFILES SPORT PROFILES 23

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Brazil 2–1 Korea 2–1 Football 5-a-Side Para-TableTennis Portugal 131 One of world’s hottest sports to rock Riverbank Arena All-inclusive sport promises an array of entertainment

During matches, which consist of two Paralympic Sport is already unique in itself, All-day passes are still available to see Para- QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS 25-minute halves, each team will be allowed BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008 QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS but Para-Table Tennis is even more distinct Table Tennis at ExCeL, and there is bound Ticket availability: one guide for each third of the pitch to call Brazil China Argentina Ticket availability: in that it integrates a variety of disabilities. to be an equal representation of competi- Venue: Riverbank Arena out instructions. Venue: ExCeL tors from around the globe in London, insists Dates: 31 August - Dates: 30 August - For the fi rst time since 2000 athletes with an Burchell. 8 September Brazil is the only country to have ever won 8 September intellectual disability will be allowed to com- Medal Events: 1 Football 5-a-Side gold, beating Argentina and Medal Events: 29 pete in the Paralympics. “Table tennis is a fairly accessible sport Classifi cation: Visually impaired athletes China in the past two Paralympics. It also won Classifi cation: Athletes are grouped into 11 dif- for all people with disabilities,” she said. “I Teams Qualifi ed: , Spain, China, Iran, the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Parapan ferent classes based on their functional ability. “We’re able to off er the full spectrum,” said think that particularly in developing areas like Five classes are devoted to wheelchair athletes, Brazil, Argentina, Great Britain, Turkey American Games. Alison Burchell, Deputy Director of the ITTF Africa, South America and some parts of Asia fi ve to standing athletes and one to those with an Paralympic Games Debut: Athens 2004 intellectual disability. Para Table-Tennis division. “In each class, and Oceania, there’s been a huge growth.” Athletes expected to compete: 64 “We’ve seen similar levels of development and Paralympic Games Debut: Rome 1960 there is a level of excitement.” growth in all the continents over the past few Athletes Expected to Compete: 276 Para-Table Tennis was handed over from the years,” said IBSA’s Football 5-a-Side Chair- (174 men, 102 women) Para-Table Tennis is similar to the able-bodied IPC to the ITTF in 2007, and since then, the man Carlos Campos Lopez. game, though wheelchair players must serve sport’s number of national associations has Since its Paralympic debut at the Athens over the end line so that their opponents do increased to 215. 2004 Games, Football 5-a-side has ex- “Having said that, it’s diffi cult to ignore the not have diffi culty reaching the ball. panded to 44 countries and four continents. sport’s roots and traditions, so Brazil and wwebeb >> www.ITTF.com Argentina, countries synonymous with blind Players will compete in singles, doubles and At London 2012, the competition will use the futsal, will be up there battling for the gold team events in London. World Cup format, with two groups of four medals.” Ones to watch teams squaring off on the blue-coloured fi eld at Riverbank Arena. Spain could also fi ght its way into the medal Natalia Partyka (Poland) round, as could China, which has come on The Polish Olympic and Para- The pitch will be surrounded with a rebound leaps and bounds as of late. Host Great Britain lympic star has claimed the last two Paralympic golds in the wall, and each squad – made up of visually has also benefi tted from training with former women’s Class 10 competition. impaired athletes – will fi eld four outfi eld England captain David Beckham. players and a goalkeeper. They will play using a ball with a bell fi tted inside. “It’s a special sport,” Lopez said. “It’s exciting Will Bayley (Great Britain) and passionate, and the public can easily The British 24-year-old has To ensure fairness, all outfi eld players wear relate to it.” jumped to the top of the stand- ings after winning gold at the eyeshades, though the goalkeeper may be 2011 European Championships. fully or partially sighted. wwebeb >> www.IBSA.es

Mateja Pintar (Slovenia) The Slovenian Paralympic champion always promises surprises once she hits the Ones to watch international stage.

Brazil As the only team to ever win Argentina Paralympic gold, Brazil boasts The 2004 runners-up will look a Paralympic Pele in star to seek revenge on rival Brazil striker Jeff erson da Conceicao in London. Goncalves.

Spain The squad fell just short of a world title in 2010, losing to Brazil in the gold-medal contest. 24 SPORT PROFILES SPORT PROFILES 25

BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008

MEN China Lithuania Sweden WOMEN USA China Denmark Football 7-a-Side

Putting your body on the line in front of a 80km/h ball Exciting end-to-end action guaranteed BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008

Ukraine Russia Iran

Goalball is a game for visually impaired has grown to become one of the most popular The fi eld is a little smaller, the goals are a bit QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS athletes. The aim is to throw the ball into Paralympic sports in the world with over 100 QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS tighter and there are no off sides, but Football Ticket availability: the opponents’ net. But there is one catch countries playing it. Ticket availability: 7-a-Side is still a rendition of football, one of Venue: Copper Box – all players wear eye masks, so cannot see Venue: Riverbank Arena the world’s most entertaining sports. Dates: 30 August - anything. In London, there will be a new, longer, much Dates: 1-9 September 7 September tougher match format, with teams thrashing Medal Events: 1 The Paralympic Sport for ambulant athletes Medal events: 2 Teams consist of six players, with only three it out for 12 minutes per half as opposed to Classifi cation: Athletes with with cerebral palsy will be played at Riverbank Classifi cation: For visually impaired athletes on the court at any one time. the normal 10. cerebral palsy are classifi ed as either C5, C6, Arena at the London 2012 Games, where Paralympic Games debut: 1984 C7 or C8, with C8 having the most functional eight teams will play a 20-match tournament ability. Each team must fi eld at least one class When a team throws, the other team has to “Players have to be more prepared. And I culminating in the gold-medal match on Teams qualifi ed: C5 or C6 player at all times, and they can have a Men’s: Great Britain, Lithuania, China, Iran, listen to the bell in the ball to identify where tell you after playing 24 minutes, the play- maximum of two C8 players on the fi eld at once. 9 September. , Finland, Brazil, Algeria, Turkey, it is and defend their net. Players make ers’ heads are completely empty because all Teams Qualifi ed: Ukraine, Iran, Brazil, Great Canada, , Sweden reactions within split seconds. their eff ort goes on concentrating on where Britain, Russia, the , Argentina, USA “The game is very exciting because the top The point system in Football 7-a-Side, based Women: Great Britain, China, USA, Sweden, the ball is,” said Marklund. Paralympic Games Debut: New York and Stoke teams are very equal and a lot of goals are on the severity of an athlete’s disability, Japan, Denmark, Brazil, Australia, Canada, “When the men play, the ball speed is 70 - Mandeville 1984 Games scored and that’s what the people want to makes the coach’s job that much more in- Finland 80km per hour. It’s fast and the ball is rather It is a game of mental toughness as much as Athletes Expected to Compete: 96 see,” said CPISRA Football 7-a-Side Chair teresting in deciding which players to put on Athletes expected to compete: 132 heavy, so it’s a big eff ort for your body tactics and physical strength, says Marklund. Tom Langen. the fi eld together. (12 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams) to stop it, so you have to be brave,” Kari Marklund, IBSA Goalball Man- “Goalball requires much mental strength, but Since Football 7-a-Side began in 1978, Brazil Many times the matches are extended an ager, said. it is about technique.” has been an obvious pick as a extra 20 minutes if the score is tied at the powerhouse in the sport, but in end of full-time, and matches are decided by The sport originally started in The draw for Goalball at the London 2012 recent years, Russia, Ukraine a penalty shootout if still tied after extra time. Austria to rehabilitate vis- Parlympics will take place on 27 April 2012. and Iran have risen to the top. ually impaired soldiers wwebeb >> www.CPISRA.org from World War II, and wwebeb >> www.IBSA.es

Ones to watch

Ones to watch Russia The squad reached the podium at the last four Paralympic Denmark (women) Games and won the 2011 The team won European CPISRA World Championships. qualifi cation tournament and are destined to make waves in London.

Ukraine Lithuania (men) The team could win its third A strong team at the 2010 Paralympic gold in London. World Championships, they will hope to bounce back after a disappointing 2011 European Championship. Iran The bronze medallists from Beijing 2008 have made vast China (women) improvements since winning With a great technique and ten- their fi rst Paralympic medal. dency not to throw balls straight on, but rather bend or bounce them, China is diffi cult to beat. 26 SPORT PROFILES SPORT PROFILES 27

BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008

Canada 1–1 USA 1–1 Sailing Germany 1–– Wheelchair Rugby A sport in full bloom AKA ‘Murderball’ … need we say more?

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will Boats will compete in 11 races. The boat that Wheelchair Rugby is a brutal team contact QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS showcase Sailing like never before. In the four crosses the fi nish line fi rst gets one point, QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS sport for both men and women who have BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008 Ticket availability: FREE years since Beijing 2008, sailors have had second takes two points and so on. The boat Ticket availability: upper and lower-limb impairments. USA Australia Canada Venue: Weymouth and more opportunities than ever before to race. that gets the least number of points in total Venue: Basketball Arena Portland wins. Dates: 5-9 September The aim of the sport sounds simple – to carry “I’m expecting that this is going to be the most Dates: 1-6 September “ISAF opened up the World Cup competi- Medal Events: 1 a volleyball across the goal line like in rugby competitive closest-fought competition that Medal events: 3 tions to Paralympic classes. A lot of the boats Each boat can be adapted, for example with Classifi cation: All players – however, you have to do so whilst avoiding we’ve had at a Paralympic Games. There’s not Classifi cation: Sailors are classifi ed from 1-7 have been taking advantage of those events hand-holders, cushions, transfer chairs and have an impairment aff ecting the upper and collisions that are so hard that they can bend a team in this tournament that doesn’t have a points depending on their functional ability, with to improve their skill level and it’s really made bars to suit the disabilities of the crew. lower limbs and are classifi ed from 0.5 to 3.5 the metal of wheelchair frames. shot at the podium,” Main said 1 point being the least functionally able. (most physical function). The total point value a huge diff erence,” said Linda Merkel, Pres- 2.4mR is open to all athletes with a disability has to be 8 or less with a maximum of four wwebeb >> www.iwfr.com ident of the International Disabled Sailing “Once you get on the water, the wheelchairs players on the fi eld of play “It’s not a game for the faint of heart,” said SKUD – In the two-person team, one athlete has Federation (IFDS), adding that it is not un- are on the dock, and you cannot tell the dif- Eron Main, Secretary General International to be female and one must be a 1 or 2 pointer. Paralympic Games debut: Atlanta 1996 common for Paralympic sailors to beat their ference between Paralympic and able bodied Wheelchair Rugby Federation. – the total classifi cation points have to add Teams qualifi ed: USA, Australia, Japan, up to 14 or less. able- bodied counterparts. sailors. To me it is the real beauty of the sport. Sweden, Canada, Great Britain, Belgium, France Ones to watch Paralympic Games debut: Atlanta 1996 We’re all just sailors,” said Merkel Number of teams expected to take part: 8 “It’s a full contact sport with wheelchair on The Paralympic Sailing competition con- (96 athletes) wheelchair. The strength, the skill and the Teams qualifi ed USA sists of three boats: single-person keelboat This year’s Paralympic Sailing is free of charge speed of the players is incredible. It will suck They are the world champions Single-Person Keelboat, 2.4mR (2.4mR), two-person keelboat (SKUD) and for spectators and takes place in a large you in within the fi rst 30 seconds and you will Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Germany, and traditionally the most Canada, , Greece, Denmark, United three-person keelboat (Sonar). enclosed bay in Weymouth, Dorset. want to see every match.” dominant team. States of America, New Zealand, Finland, Argentina, Australia, Italy wwebeb >> www.Sailing.org/Disabled Wheelchair Rugby was invented in 1977 in Two-Person Keelboat, SKUD18 Canada, and is still aff ectionately known by Great Britain Great Britain, Malaysia, New Zealand, United its original name, ‘Murderball’. By 2011, there The team has been fourth place States of America, Singapore, Canada, Aus- Ones to watch were 26 countries playing the sport and Main more times than can be remem- tralia, Italy, , Spain, Brazil, France bered and will hope to gain its is predicting fi erce competition in London. fi rst Paralympic podium fi nish. Three-Person Keelboat, Sonar Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Ger- Damien Seguin (France) many, Norway, Greece, France, United States He stormed ahead to win the Japan of America, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Austria. 2.4mR competition at the 2012 The team recently broke into Japan IFDS World Championships. the top three at the World Athletes expected to compete: 80 Championships. At the Para- lympic Games, it will want to prove that was not a fl uke. SKUD-18 (Great Britain) Alexandra Rickham (helm) and Niki Birrell (crew) have won three SKUD-18 world titles in a row.

Sonar (Israel) The team sailed to gold at the 2011 World Championships in Weymouth where the London 2012 event will also be held. 28 SPORT PROFILES SPORT PROFILES 29

Wheelchair Basketball Sitting Volleyball A Paralympic tradition just got a bit more exciting Veteran squads aim to keep momentum rolling

Already one of the most dynamic Paralympic Four countries have established them- QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS sports, Wheelchair Basketball will be more ex- BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008 QQUICKUICK FFACTSACTS selves as perennial powerhouses in BBEIJINGEIJING 22008008

Ticket availability: citing than ever before at London 2012 thanks MEN Australia Canada Great Britain Ticket availability: Sitting Volleyball heading into London Bosnia and MEN Iran Russia Venue: North Greenwich to tilting. WOMEN USA Germany Australia Venue: ExCeL 2012. Herzegovina Arena; Basketball Arena Dates: 30 August - The Nether- WOMEN China USA Dates: 30 August - Allowing players to “tilt” and get up on one 8 September Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina are lands 8 September wheel to shoot or guard their opponents will Wheelchair Basketball is played with similar Medal Events: 2 the dominant teams on the men’s side, Medal Events: 2 make for an even more athletic game. rules to able-bodied basketball, and play- Classifi cation: Open to any athlete with a and China and USA are consistent con- Two minimal disability players – those with- Classifi cation: Each athlete is assigned a clas- ers are required to throw or bounce the ball physical disability. Athletes are assigned a tenders on the women’s end. out any amputations – are allowed on a roster, sifi cation between 1-5 points, and could be classifi cation of “D” for disability or “MD” for “We show athleticism,” said IWBF President after every two pushes of the wheels on their though only one can be on the court at a time. classifi ed as a 1.5, 2.5, etc. The more functional minimal disability. Maureen Orchard. “We show a level of team chairs. The competition in London will take place in- ability an athlete has, the higher the number of Paralympic Games Debut: Arnhem 1980 (men); points he or she is awarded. For instance, a 1 sport that’s hard to show in some other para- Athens 2004 (women) side ExCeL, along with fi ve other sports. How- Teams win points by landing the ball on the is a high-level paraplegic and a 5 is typically an sports. “You don’t walk, you roll,” Orchard said. “I’ve ever, the Sitting Volleyball schedule has been opposition’s half of the court. The game is the injury to a lower limb. A team may not play with Teams Qualifi ed: often said to people, ‘It’s like ballet on the arranged so that matches take place during best out of fi ve sets. Teams win the fi rst four more than 14 points on the fl oor at one time. Men: Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, “To think that an athlete can shoot a 3-point fl oor.’ What they can do in terms of moving the downtime for many other sports. sets by reaching 25 points, and the fi fth set Paralympic Games Debut: Rome 1960 Great Britain, Russia, Brazil, Rwanda, play sitting in a chair is exciting.” the chair with their hips and getting down the Germany, Moroccoa and China by reaching 15 points. Teams Qualifi ed: fl oor is great to watch.” Women: China, USA, Ukraine, Great Britain, “We’re the only team sport in there, so we’ll Men: Germany, the Netherlands, Sloveni, Brazil and be trying to make as much noise as possible In London, the 10 men’s and eight women’s Group A: Australia, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Japan Turkey, USA Practiced in nearly 100 countries many play- and getting as many people to come to us as teams will be divided into two groups each, Athletes expected to compete: 198 Group B: Canada, Colombia, Germany, Great ers and coaches in the sport are now paid pro- possible,” WOVD Sport Director Dennis Le and will play round-robin matches prior to Britain, Japan, Poland fessional salaries in Europe. Breuilly said. a playoff .

Women: Group A: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great In London, 12 men’s and 10 women’s teams “People should buy tickets for Sitting Volley- With the top four squads playing at their best, Britain, the Netherlands will be divided into two groups each. The ball because it’s an exciting game to watch. and a Rwandan team being the fi rst ever Group B: China, France, Germany, Mexico, top four teams in each group will qualify There are potentially some excellent squad to represent the sub-saharan zone, USA for the quarter-fi nals. matches, and it will be a show.” the competition is bound to be at its best. Athletes expected to compete: 264 With some surprise teams qualifying from Sitting Volleyball, which started in Europe, and Colombia’s men joining the the Netherlands in the 1950’s, re- wwebeb >> www.wvod.info wwebeb >> www.iwbf.org fi eld for the fi rst time, the traditional pow- quires a smaller court and a lower erhouses of Australia, Canada and USA will net than the standing game, yet face stiff competition this year. is often considerably faster. Ones to watch Because the players are not Ones to watch “The competition in London on the in wheelchairs, they rely USA (women) Australia (men) men’s side will absolutely be closer entirely on their physical After fi nishing second at Beijing The defending world and Para- between all of the 12 teams than abilities and quickness, 2008 and the 2010 World lympic champions will be the it’s ever been before, and I think with six players per team Championships, the Americans ones to beat with experienced are hoping to upset China for players on its squad. you’ll see the top six women’s on the court. teams be close as well,” Orchard gold. said. “The bottom four women’s Canada (men) teams are still coming up to the Iran (men) Arguably the world’s best play- level of the top, but the men The Iranians have won gold at er, Patrick Anderson, will lead were like that two Games fi ve of the last six Paralympic the team to better its bronze Games. Need anything more from the 2011 Parapans. ago.” be said?

“I would not want to bet USA (women) who is going to be in the Bosnia and Herzegovina (men) After winning gold at the last The team fell to Iran in the fi nals two Paralympics and 2010 gold-medal game.” at the last Paralympics and World Championships, the World Championships, so the Americans head to London as rivalry is bound to heat up. favourites. 30 TEAM PROFILE TEAM PROFILE 31

USA Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Aiming to Become the World’s Best

USA’s women’s Sitting Volleyball team is tired Head coach Bill Hamiter will offi cially name of being the runners-up. the London 2012 roster in May, selecting 11 players from the 16 who typically train to- Following a bronze medal at the Athens 2004 gether with the national squad. Paralympics, the squad improved with silvers at the Beijing 2008 Games and 2010 World Hamiter only took the national team reigns in Championships. June 2009, but his work has already shown USA will not settle for on the court. second best in London Their World Championships performance qualifi ed the team for London 2012, but none Team captain Katie Holloway insists the of the athletes were completely satisfi ed with squad’s movement, shot selection and tech- how they played. nique have noticeably improved under Ham- Katie Holloway bumps the ball in the gold-medal match iter, and that the team is peaking just in time at the Beijing Paralympics. Her teammates Heather Erickson (left) and Allison Aldrich are at the ready “While silver is great, it’s not the gold medal,” for London. team captain Kendra Lancaster said. “We’re more focused now than “Nobody has a perfect game every day. Not necessarily every- Rounding into form ever because we are training LATEST TRIUMPHS together and have a good dy- body lights up the stat board, but we have several emotional The American squad has become known namic,” Holloway said. Silver around the world for its deep bench and expe- 2010 World Championships rocks on the team who keep us stable while playing.” rienced outside hitters. Several players “We have a lot more riding on Beijing 2008 Paralympics train together as part of a residency this one. Going into Beijing, we programme at the University of weren’t expecting to win gold Bronze Holloway, who was born without a fi bula in “Nobody has a perfect game every day. Not being the underdog because I think it’s bet- Central Oklahoma. because many of us were still Athens 2004 Paralympics her right leg and had her foot amputated as necessarily everybody lights up the stat ter for us when we play the Chinese.” new. But now, we are.” a baby, has quickly established herself as a board, but we have several emotional rocks on veteran setter in the face of her teammates, the team who keep us stable while playing.” While Team USA is known for high passes and has the numbers and awards to prove it. and a prolifi c off ense, China is notorious for Beating the competition its great ball control, fast play and never get- BOSNIA TO BACKCOURT The former college basketball star was named ting rattled on the court. As one of the best defensive specialists in the world, USA’s Kari Miller the Most Valuable Player at last year’s Con- There has only been one nation standing in has held a strong place in the hearts of fans. tinental Cup in Ukraine and at the Parapan the way of USA’s Sitting Volleyball dominance: In London, libero Kari Miller and server American Zonal Championships in Brazil, China. Heather Erickson will provide plenty of ex- She served in the U.S. Army in Bosnia and Korea and had a promo- where USA fi nished undefeated. perienced support to their team captains, tion to offi cer awaiting her when she returned to the States in 1999 The Chinese have never dropped a set in an and the up-and-coming players will lean on for the holidays. During her time off , she was hit by a drunk driver, Fellow team captain Lancaster, born without international match against the Americans, an enthused Lancaster for help. resulting in the loss of both her legs and her friend in the car with her. a left arm, was out of action for nine months beating them for gold at the last Paralympics last year following a car accident. and World Championships. “You’ll still fi nd me hanging out with the Miller has attracted numerous followers due to the way she handled her re- 18-year-olds a lot,” a now 25-year-old covery, immediately getting involved in sports to serve her country in a dif- But with team depth and Lancaster now back “The biggest thing this year is going to be Lancaster joked, hungry for gold. ferent – yet equally honourable – way. on board, fi elding a top squad on the court being comfortable playing China and comfort- should not be a problem for USA in 2012. able at beating them,” Holloway said. “I like 32 MEDICAL & SCIENCE MEDICAL & SCIENCE 33

Anti-Doping Knock, Knock Win Clean Doping Control is Here The IPC and UK Anti-Doping are joining forces on an education campaign called “Win Clean: Say No to Doping”. The campaign aims to make Maintaining the integrity of Paralympic Sport worldwide Halfway through an indoor home I don’t want to lose out to some- London 2012 the cleanest games ever by alert- training session, Irish world one who’s cheating.” ing international athletes coming to the UK in 2012 of their champion para-cyclist Colin anti-doping rights and responsibilities in the form of educa- Heading into London 2012, athletes are extremely Lynch received a knock at his Lynch was tested five times tion sessions and outreach stands. conscious of complying with the IPC’s anti-doping door. during 2011, both in and out of measures to help promote fair and equal compe- competition via blood and urine “Every country and every athlete has a responsibility to help us tition worldwide. “We are the Irish Sports Council samples. prevent doping ahead of, and during the Paralympic Games,” here to administer out-of-compe- said Andy Parkinson, Chief Executive of UK Anti-Doping. The latest anti-doping testing statistics, released tition testing,” said the pair stood Any time he considers taking a for 2011, revealed that 646 urine and blood - on his doorstep. new substance, he fi rst consults “In the UK we have adopted intelligence-led sophisticated test- ples were collected, and seven athletes were sanc- with his team doctor, nutrition- ing strategies to catch cheats. Win Clean - Say No to Doping tioned for not competing clean. Into the living room stepped the ist or psychologist to ensure it is under lines that there is a zero tolerance approach in the UK doping control offi cers, armed not banned or prohibited, or even and that education is vital to avoid accidental doping. The IPC’s The IPC fully supports the World Anti-Doping with their booklets of paperwork suspect for that matter. involvement and support is fundamental to our success. I’m Agency’s (WADA) view that the long-term solution and specimen bottles. They took delighted we are working together to support athletes coming to prevent doping is through education and a strong Lynch through the testing proce- As an elite athlete Lynch is part to London this summer.” anti-doping culture. dure step by step, asking to see of the Whereabouts Programme, his relevant identifi cation forms meaning he must inform doping Check out the site for more information and sign their wall to and requesting his signature control offi cers of a specifi c loca- support clean games: In the Know London 2012 where need be. tion where he will be each day for one hour and available for testing. wwebeb >> www.wincleanuk.com Kate Rogowiec Spreads Message to Unveils Anti-Doping After collecting a sample of Lynch’s urine through a much He recommends that others Fellow Athletes Laboratory regimented process, the offi c- speak with veteran teammates In January, the London Organizing Commit- ers were out the door to send the to educate themselves about Q Two-time Paralympic gold-medallist Rogowiec has been drug tested nearly 30 tee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games sample to a laboratory for testing. anti-doping through their anec- WADA Play True Quiz. True or False? nordic skier Kate Rogowiec has become times in her athletic career, including mul- (LOCOG) unveiled the Anti-Doping Labora- dotal stories. a persistent force in educating fellow tiple times in a single event. tory that will be used during the London 2012 “The friendlier you are, the 1 If a medication is OK to use in my home country, I can safely use athletes about anti-doping. Games. quicker you go through it and “I would hope that even the fear the same brand purchased overseas. With levels of education and medical devel- the quicker it’s done,” Lynch said. of being tested and caught is 2 A coach or doctor assisting or encouraging an athlete to With nearly 10 years of education and ath- opments diff ering by country, she believes 6,250 samples will be analyzed during enough to make some people take prohibited substances can be sanctioned if that athlete lete experience on the matter, Rogowiec it is always important for para-athletes to the two London Games. Just like that – a fairly painless think twice about using perfor- tests positive. actively assists with the establishment of work closely with their team physicians and process to help further justify the mance-enhancing drugs,” Lynch 3 When requested, my coach can accompany me to the doping anti-doping policies and procedures and sport federations to ensure they 7 tennis courts can fi t inside the London elite level of Paralympic Sport. said. control station. advises the IPC and WADA on athlete-re- compete clean. Anti-Doping Laboratory. Please see page 45 for answers. lated issues as a member of the IPC Anti- “There’s a lot at stake for us as When it comes to anti-doping, Doping Committee and WADA Athlete “It’s a lack of knowledge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – the test- athletes,” Lynch said. “There’s Lynch insists self-discipline and Committee. very often, especially ing in the lab will happen around the clock. just as much reason for us to be education are key components. Check out WADA’s free in countries where the tested and make sure that we’re Prohibited List iPhone app “It’s the only way to push people to un- Paralympic Movement 1000 LOCOG staff will work on the anti- as clean as any other professional Read about Colin Lynch’s anti- derstand cheating,” Rogowiec said. “It is not so developed,” doping process. or Olympic athlete. doping testing experiences in doesn’t taste good to win if you do it be- Rogowiec said. his blog: cause of doping help.” 150 scientists will carry out the testing. “I want the sport to be clean. I want my performances to be wwebeb >>http://637days togo.blogspot.com credible. Athlete Testimonials from members of the IPC Athlete’s Council

“For me and my body, sport should mean some- “I feel very strongly that doping places an ath- “For athletes and coaches, we have no excuse to thing healthy, which means keeping your hands lete’s health and safety at signifi cant risk. There ignore the anti-doping code. Ignorance is not a off things that damage your joie de vivre and qual- are so many fi nancial and other incentives in reason to cheat.” ity of life in the long term.” sport today that push athletes to making the wrong decision regarding doping.” Yu Chui Yee Alison, Hong Kong wheelchair fencer Heinz Frei, Swiss wheelchair racer Bob Balk, Chairperson IPC Athlete’s Council wwebeb >> www.paralympic.org/TheIPC/WWD/Anti-Doping 34 SPORT REVIEW SPORT REVIEW 35

World Championships IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup IPC Alpine Skiing European Cup

Russia continue to dominate Nordic Skiing with athletes leading in After fi ve rounds of competition (a sixth in Austria was cancelled due Russia won the gold medal at the World eight of 10 categories after December’s event in Norway and two to bad weather) the following skiers lead the rankings: Wheelchair Curling Championships in meetings in the USA which took place in late January and February. Chuncheon, Korea (pictured), after de- WOMEN’S VISUALLY IMAIRED feating hosts Korea, 9-1, in the fi nal. The leaders going into the World Cup fi nals were: Alexandra Frantseva (RUS)- Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super Combined, Super-G Kelly Gallagher (GBR) - Downhill It was the fi rst time Russia has ever WOMEN’S VISUALLY IMAIRED WOMEN’S STANDING medalled at the World Championships, Elena Remizova (RUS) - Cross Country (CC) Melania Corradini (ITA)- Slalom, Giant Slalom and and the team is now gaining momen- and Super Combined Standing tum heading into the Sochi 2014 Para- WOMEN’S STANDING Katarzyna Rogowiec (POL) - CC lympic Winter Games. Maija Jarvela (FIN) - Biathlon WOMEN’S SITTING The Koreans took the silver medal and China took the bronze medal, winning its game Svetlana Konovalova (RUS) - Biathlon against Slovakia, 7-4. Mariann Marthinsen (NOR) - CC MEN’S VISUALLY IMPAIRED wwebeb >> www.wwhcc2012.curlingevents.com Stanislaw Chokhlaev (RUS) - CC Nikolay Polukhin (RUS) - Biathlon MEN’S STANDING Solene Jambaque (FRA) - Super-G Vladimir Kononov (RUS) - CC Andrea Rothfuss (GER) - Downhill Nils-Erik Ulset (NOR) - Biathlon WOMEN’S SITTING MEN’S SITTING Anna Schaff elhuber (GER)- Slalom and Giant Slalom Roman Petushkov (RUS) - CC and Biathlon IPC Ice Season Update Laurie Stephens (USA) - Super Combined, Super-G and Downhill MEN’S VISUALLY IMPAIRED Canada arguably headed into March’s Valery Redkozubov (RUS) – Slalom Jakub Krako (SVK)- Giant Slalom, Super Combined, World Championships in Norway as fa- Super-G and Downhill vourites after already winning two in- MEN’S STANDING ternational tournaments this season. Markus Salcher (AUT) - Giant Slalom, Super-G and Downhill Alexey Bugaev (RUS) - Slalom In December, Greg Westlake smashed Michael Bruegger (SUI) - Super Combined a hat trick on his home ice in Calgary, MEN’S SITTING as Canada beat USA, 4-1, to take gold Thomas Nolte (GER) - Slalom Franz Hanfstingl (GER) - Giant Slalom in the World Sledge Hockey Challenge, Tyler Walker (USA) - Super Combined and Super-G a tournament also featuring Japan and Yohann Taberlet (FRA) - Downhill Norway. wwebeb >> www.ipc-nordicskiing.org

The following month, Canada struck gold again, this time after a 5-1 victory over Nor- The IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Final will take place The IPC Alpine Skiing European Cup Finals will take way at the Four Nations Tournament in Japan. in Vuokatti, Finland, from 22 March - 1 April. place in Auron, France from 26-30 March 2012.

IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup

USA won the team title at the 2011-12 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup, to Arte Terme, Italy, La Molina, Spain, Winter Park, USA and Pano- with 4,657 points. France pushed its way into second place during the rama, Canada. fi nal races with 4,151 points, and Russia came third on 4,087 points. TEAM TROPHY Though USA clocked up the most points overall, it only claimed two wwebeb >> www.ipc-alpineskiing.org USA The World Cup series has taken almost 100 skiers from 16 nations individual race trophies. Here’s a breakdown of the trophy winners:

WOMEN’S TROPHY MEN’S TROPHY Marie Bochet (France) Valery Redkozubov (Russia) WOMEN’S VISUALLY IMPAIRED WOMEN’S STANDING WOMEN’S SITTING MEN’S VISUALLY IMPAIRED MEN’S STANDING MEN’S SITTING Henrieta Farkasova (Slovakia) Marie Bochet (France) Anna Schaff elhuber (Germany) Valery Redkozubov (Russia) Vincent Gauthier-Manuel (France) Taiki Morii (Japan) Slalom Giant Slalom Speed Events Slalom Giant Slalom Speed Events Slalom Giant Slalom Speed Events Slalom Giant Slalom Speed Events Slalom Giant Slalom Speed Events Slalom Giant Slalom Speed Events Henrieta Alexandra Henrieta Marie Andrea Marie Anna Laurie Alana Valery Valery Yon Santacana Alexandr Vincent Vincent Philip Christoph Taiki Farkasova Frantseva Farkasova Bochet Rothfuss Bochet Schaff elhuber Stephens Nichols Redkozubov Redkozubov Maiztegui Alyabyev Gauthier-Manuel Gauthier-Manuel Bonadimann Kunz Morii (Slovakia) (Russia) (Slovakia) (France) (Germany) (France) (Germany) (USA) (USA) (Russia) (Russia) (Spain) (Russia) (France) (France) (Austria) (Switzerland) (Japan)

36 SPORT REVIEW SPORT REVIEW 37

Getting the Vote wwebeb >>www.paralympic.org World Sport Round-up

Paralympic fans around the globe have fl ocked to Facebook in droves this winter to vote for the best performances from the world’s leading December 2011 para-athletes. As of February, the Athlete of the Month poll has moved from Facebook to the IPC’s newly launched paralympic.org. The IWAS World Games 2011, hosted in Sharjah, UAE saw Colombia’s men’s Wheelchair Basketball Alexandra Starker teams from 49 nations compete in Athletics, Powerlifting, Swim- ming, Shooting, Table Tennis and Race Running. China topped the medals table winning 52 gold, 13 silver and four bronze med- als, followed by the Iran, Poland and South Africa.

wwebeb >> www.iwasf.com

January 2012 France’s 2.4mR sailor Damien Seguin, Norway’s Sonar team of Aleksander Wang-Hanse, /Per Eugen Kristiansen and Great Britain’s SKUD team featuring Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell all won gold at the 2012 International Associa- Netherlands’ Thierry Schmitter won silver behind France’s Damien Seguin at the IFDS Worlds Colombia’s men’s Wheelchair Basketball team fi nished with a At just 17 years old, Canadian alpine skier Alexandra Starker raced tion for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) surprising silver medal after beating favourites Canada in the semi- to fi rst on both days of the Giant Slalom and Slalom Standing com- World Championships, held in In the SKUD Class, Australia’s It was Scheff ers’ second-career USA, winning eight gold, seven fi nals of the in Guadalajara, Mexico. petitions at the NORAM Cup on Copper Mountain in Colorado, USA, Charlotte Harbour, USA. Dan Fitzgibbon and Grand Slam, while Norfolk has silver and two bronze medals. With the second-place fi nish, the squad qualifi ed for its fi rst ever from 12-15 December. are tied on 39 points with Great started each of the last two Para- Paralympic Games. wwebeb >> www.IFDS- Britain’s Paralympic team of Al- lympic Games years by winning In Mark Colbourne’s fi rst-ever in- Worlds2012.com exandra Rickham and Niki Birrell. the Australian Open. Vergeer, ternational track competition, he meanwhile, only dropped four cruised to gold in the 3km Pur- Roman Petushkov Oksana Slesarenko The 2011-2012 ISAF Sailing Australia’s holds games on the way to her ninth suit C1 and picked up silver in the World Cup Standings are start- a strong lead in the 2.4mR class Australian title. 1km Time Trial C1. Sarah Storey ing to take shape after US Sail- on 31 points. notched golds in both the 500m ing’s Rolex Miami OCR. February 2012 Time Trial and 3km Pursuit C5 The Netherlands’ Maikel Schef- Great Britain dominated the 2012 events, setting a British record In the Sonar, Netherlands’ Udo fers and Esther Vergeer and Great UCI Para-Cycling Track World in the former. Jody Cundy rode to Hessels, Marcel Van de Veen and Britain’s Peter Norfolk won the Championships in Los Angeles, gold in the 1km Time Trial C4 and Mischa Rossen top the standings men’s, women’s and quad singles bronze in the 4km Pursuit C4. on 20 points, but the British and titles at the Wheelchair Tennis Norwegian teams are close be- Australian Open at Mel- Australia fi nished second in the hind. bourne Park. medal standings with seven golds and three silvers. Host nation USA won six medals, including a gold, a pair of silvers and three bronze medals.

Russian nordic skier Roman Petushkov medalled in every race at the Oksana Slesarenko of Russia’s Wheelchair Curling team led her Spain’s Juan Jose Mendez IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in Cable and Minneapolis in the USA at squad to the 2012 World Championship title in Chuncheon, Korea. fi nished second behind Great Britain’s Mark Colbourne in the the end of January. At the time of publication, Petushkov had already In honour of International Women’s Day on 8 March, all of the fi nalists 3km Pursuit C1 racked up six Cross-Country golds and fi ve Biathlon golds this season. for February’s award were women. 38 SPORT PREVIEW SPORT PREVIEW 39

BT Paralympic World Cup Wheelchair Tennis

22 to 26 May Roland Garros Nearly 100 days out from the London 2012 Paralympic Games the top international athletes will head to Manchester, Great 6 to 8 June Britain, to compete in Athletics, Football 7-a-Side and Wheel- The world’s top Wheelchair Tennis chair Basketball and international matches in Boccia and Sit- players will head to Paris, France, for ting Volleyball. what will be their biggest tournament before London 2012. The top eight Athletes will be split into four teams: Great Britain, Europe, men and women’s singles players will the Americas and the Rest of the World. Great Britain won the compete, along with the top four tan- event last year. dems in doubles.

Channel 4, the host broadcaster of this year’s Paralympics, Aniek van Koot is ranked number two after will provide multi-platform coverage of the Cup for the sec- Esther Vergeer in women’s singles ond year in a row. wwebeb >> www.btparalympicworldcup.com 2012 IPC Athletics European Championships

24 to 27 June The Canadians head into the World Championships as a podium favourite The Dutch town of Stadskanaal will host the last major gather- 2012 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey ing of European athletes before London 2012.

World Championships Around 500 competitors from 40 countries are expected to take part, and many of them will look to meet qualifying times 24 March to 1 April for the Paralympics Games. In one of the winter’s biggest events, the world’s top eight Ice Sledge Hockey squads will trek to Hamar, Norway, to battle it The event is free of charge to the public. out for the title. USA starts as the reigning Paralympic cham- pions, but Canada, Norway and Japan will certainly give the wwebeb >> www.ipcathleticseurochamps.org Americans a run for their money.

wwebeb >> www.icesledgehockeyworlds.com Great Britain is defending champion of the BT Paralympic World Cup ISAF Sailing World Cup Regattas London 2012 Test Events UCI Para-Cycling Road

Continues 31 March Begins 18 April World Cup The fi nal fi ve World Cup Regattas of the season will begin at The Wheelchair Rugby competition from 18-19 April will be the end of March in Palma de Majorca, Spain. The competition the fi rst of fi ve London 2012 test events held in the Paralympic 22 to 26 May will head to France in April, the Netherlands in May and Ger- Games venues this spring. The Wheelchair Rugby event will be The 2012 edition of the World Cup begins in Rome, Italy, be- many and Great Britain in June. It will give fans a fi nal look at followed by Wheelchair Tennis (3-6 May), Archery (3-6 May), fore heading to Spain in June and Canada in July. Last season, how the sailors stack up before London 2012. Athletics (8 May) and Boccia (5-7 May). 13 diff erent nations shared 22 World Cup titles. David Weir is one to watch in wheelchair racing 40 EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT 41

Volleyball, Goalball and Athletics were practiced at the Youth Workshop Schoolchildren around the world are learning more about the Paralympics Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe of Ghana is aiming to compete in his third Paralympic Games Alem Mumui won the 2011 Africa Para-Cycling Championships

East African Youth Development Get Set World Sport Day Four Ghanaians Express Sir Philip Craven, MBE, Receives ‘Right to Dream’ 2012 GSD Humanitarian Award The 2012 Agitos Foundation Youth Workshop, held in Kigali, Rwanda, With the 2012 Paralympic Games fast approaching, schools partic- aimed to train participants to develop and implement a Paralympic ipating in the offi cial London 2012 education programme, Get Set, Youth Sport Programme in their own countries are being encouraged to become offi cial supporters of at least one Ghana has not been awarded any qualifi cation slots for the London It has been announced that IPC President Sir Philip Craven will re- Olympic and Paralympic team. 2012 Paralympic Games to this point. ceive the 2012 Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) More than 50 athletes with diff erent disabilities, 36 coaches for Goal- Humanitarian Award, which includes a $100,000 grant to use to- ball, Sitting Volleyball and Athletics and 12 youth co-ordinators from Over 21,000 UK schools are involved in Get Set, equating to about Thus, four of the nation’s top para-athletes have sought out support ward advancing youth sport development. GSD will present the Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and 68 per cent of the total. Through Support a Team it is hoped schools in their uphill battle to qualify. They have partnered with a programme award to Sir Philip at a ceremony held at London’s Globe Theatre Uganda attended. will throw their weight behind the many diff erent nations compet- called “Right to Dream,” which provides training support and equip- on 28 July, 2012. ing for gold. ment to para-athletes with the aim of combating the misconceptions The programme has been organized by the Agitos Foundation, the of persons with a disability in Ghana and to off er the nation new role Sir Philip Craven was delighted to receive the award, which recognizes IPC’s development arm, in co-ordination with Play and Train and Play- The London 2012 World Sport Day (Monday 25 June 2012) will build models to help inspire and engage the next generation. and contributes to the exemplary work of individuals and organizations able, two European organizations that are facilitating workshops for on the enthusiasm generated for teams around the world and is the which use sport for development. young athletes and youth co-ordinators. fi nal UK-wide Get Set event before the Games begin. “With London 2012 coming up, there’s really an opportunity there to help current athletes in Ghana to reach their true potential, but “We are seeing promising results from the youth development pro- NPC Rwanda, which has acted as the Local Organizing Committee On World Sport Day schools are invited to: host their own Opening also to use the Paralympic Games as a platform from which we can grams the IPC has launched in co-operation with GSD and others, and for the event, hopes the camp will kick-start a new wave of develop- Ceremony; organize a Global Showcase - highlighting sports, lan- raise awareness about those with a disability in general and also in- I continue to be excited about increasing our ability to reach out to and ment in East Africa. guages, food, music and dance from around the world; and create spire the next generation of children in Ghana to believe that they strengthen the grassroots of all Paralympic sports,” said Sir Philip. the fl ag of their chosen Olympic and Paralympic teams. can do it too,” said Susie Daniel, head of the Right to Dream’s Para- “Together with other East African Region NPCs, we expect further lympic programme. ‘Sport for Change’ projects to fl ow from this workshop and look for- Schools in the UK will receive activity ideas and branded materials ward to the development opportunities for our volunteers, further to help them dress their celebration. Rapahel Botsyo Nkegbe (Athletics), Alem Mumuni (Para-Cycling), training for our in-country coaches and the extra capacity that will Anita Fordjour (Athletics) and Charles Narh Teye (Powerlifting) have come from Youth Co-ordinators,” said Elie Manirarora, Vice Presi- wwebeb >> www.london2012.com/worldsportday entered themselves in this programme with hopes of reaching their dent of National Paralympic Committee of Rwanda. potential on the international sporting level. For schools outside of the UK, there are free London 2012 Games multi-media resources available in English, French and Spanish. IPC President Sir Philip Craven plans to use the award for wwebeb >> www.london2012.com/ development projects like the schoolsfromaroundtheworld Youth Workshop in Rwanda 42 PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT 43

Cashing Out Sponsors Rolling In [Canada] Thirty- [Great Britain] Irish Stars Hit Newsstands Standard Life three sports or- [Ireland] In conjunction signed a partnership with ganizations representing 21 with Paralympics Ireland, British Wheelchair Basket- diff erent sports received a the Irish Independent released a 24- ball to be offi cial sponsor total of CDN $233,340 from page special supplement in January of its men’s and women’s the Para-Equipment Fund previewing the London 2012 Paralym- teams and their home and the Canadian Paralym- pic Games. It included interviews with games. Both squads will pic Committee. The grants top Irish athletes, as well as the dele- compete at London 2012. will aid local-level clubs to purchase adapted equipment, gation’s medal history and tales of past enabling more people with a disability to participate in sport. Paralympians.

wwebeb >> www.paralympics.ie Making a Splash [Belgium] Swimmer Sven Decaesstecker won the National Trophy Victor Boin 2011 – the award for Bel- Moving On Up Honouring our Veterans gium’s para-athlete at the inter- [Korea] Jin-Ho Son was appointed as the Secre- national level. Decaesstecker tary General of the Korean Paralympic Committee, [USA] The Reha- won gold in the 200m Individ- eff ective from 3 January 2012. During his inauguration, he em- bilitative Adaptive ual Medley S10 and bronze med- phasized the importance of communication and harmony in Sport Training Conference als in the 100m Backstroke S10 and 5-mile Open Water Swim the Paralympic Movement heading into London 2012. was held in Colorado Springs, at the 2011 IPC Swimming European Championships. Colorado at the end of Jan- uary to build awareness and share best practices on how to provide adaptive sport op- Peace Through Sport portunities for veterans with disabilities. Conference partic- [Qatar] The UN ipants took part in Paralympic sports and mingled with U.S. Offi ce on Sport Paralympians. Scrapping the Bid for Development and Peace [Italy] Unfortunately, not all roads lead to Rome. hosted a pilot Youth Lead- The city withdrew its bid to host the 2020 Summer ership Camp in Doha from Games after the government refused to provide the fi nancial 9-19 January. The pro- guarantees during a time of economic crisis in Italy, leaving gramme provided 30 young Istanbul, Tokyo, Baku, Doha and Madrid to battle it out. people from sub-sahara Pondering the Africa and the Palestinian territory with the tools to inspire and invoke change in their respective communities and to Parapans overcome barriers to implementing sport programmes for [Argentina] Four cities in Argen- development and peace in their own countries. tina have submitted applications Best in the World to host the 2019 Pan and Parapan Ameri- [South Af- can Games. San Luis, La Plata, Rosario and rica] South Salta have all expressed interest in host- African “Blade Runner” ing the international event and recently met won the with Argentina’s Olympic Committee and the coveted Laureus World Nomination Evaluation Committee to learn Sportsperson of the Year From Wikipedia to London more about the selection process. The ap- with a Disability Award on plicants must submit their fi nal reports and [Australia] Wikipedia contributors in Australia 6 February. In 2011, Pis- forms to host the Games by 13 April 2012. have the chance to travel to London for the 2012 torius won three golds and a silver at the IPC Paralympics as part of a project to boost Wikipedia’s cover- Athletics World Championships and was the age of Paralympic Sport. The competition remains open until fi rst athlete with a disability to medal at an able- 20 April 2012. bodied Athletics World Championships. wwebeb >> www.paralympic.org.au 44 IPC CONFERENCE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT 45

THE PARALYMPIAN

Editor Craig Spence Assistant Editor Natalia Dannenberg Writer Stuart Lieberman Recap of the 2011 IPC Conference and General Assembly in Beijing Art Editor Carolin Baird Graphic Design DESIGNFEE Bianca Werninghaus Printing welzel + hardt GmbH and Dr. , former IPC President, being granted Life All rights reserved © 2011 International Paralympic Committee Membership of the IPC. ISSN 1609-1329 For subscriptions please visit www.paralympic.org IPC membership was granted to NPC Comoros, NPC Djibouti, NPC Democratic Republic of Congo, NPC Solomon Islands, NPC San CONTACT International Paralympic Committee Marino, NPC Malawi, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federa- Adenauerallee 212-214 tion (IWRF), International Triathlon Union (ITU), and International D-53113 Bonn, Germany Canoe Federation (ICF). Tel. +49 228 2097-200 Fax +49 228 2097-209 [email protected] In the two days preceding the General Assembly a new format IPC www.paralympic.org Conference took place, which aimed to build organizational capabil- WORLDWIDE PARTNERS ities within the Paralympic Movement.

The programme was tailored to fi t the needs of developed National LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe updated the General Assembly on progress for Paralympic Committees (NPCs)/Regional Organizations (ROs), grow- London 2012 ing NPCs/ROs, establishing NPCs/ROs and International Organiza- The 15th IPC General Assembly, the supreme governing body of the tions Sport for the Disabled (IOSDs) / International Federations (IPSFs) IPC, was held in Beijing, China, from 10-11 December 2011. The Gen- The purpose of the Conference was to draw together all NPCs and INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS eral Assembly, which meets every two years, determines policy for, IFs at similar stages of growth to take them to the next stage in their and sets the fundamental directions for the development of sports development. for athletes with an impairment. FOLLOW US ON Highlights of the conference included networking opportunities and Delegates were updated on future games and members voted on a group work that enabled ideas-sharing so that NPCs can develop their range of motions, including the adoption of the IPC Medical Code, own strategic plans and move forward. IMAGES © Photo Credits: Getty Images (p. 1/4/5/10/18/20/23/25/26/ 27/28/29/30/31/32/38/39/42/45/46), Lieven Coudenys (p. 1/4/ 21/22/24/46), istockphoto (p. 1/4/10/11/3346), Prezioso (p. 1/5/ A 27/46), Christoph Kunz (p. 2), IPC (p. 3/32), NPC Ireland (p. 4/33), Answers: Nicolas Nereau (p. 5/34), Berlinger Special (p. 5), NPC Brazil (p.6/ The Paralympic Awards, proudly partnered by Allianz, were also 8/9), Allianz (p. 11/15), Jerome Singleton (p. 14), Ottobock (p. 14/ 1. False. Some medications have slightly diff erent ingre- 15), NPC Hungary (p. 16/17), Richard Kalocsai (p. 17), Sochi 2014 dients when bought in diff erent countries. In some cases, (p. 19), Rio 2016 (p. 19), BOCOG (p. 20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/ presented in Beijing. these could be prohibited substances. You must check 29/30), GB Boccia (p. 20), Canadian Paralympic Committee the ingredients carefully and seek advice from your doc- (p. 20), Matthew Murnaghan (p. 20), FEI (p. 21), Liz Gregg (p. 21), Pepo Puch (p. 21), Lauretto Cheppi (p. 22/36), ITTF (p. 23), tor if you are unsure. Scott Odense (p. 24), Lithuanian Blind Sports Federation (p. 24), Recipients of the 2011 Paralympic Order CPISRA (p. 25), PhotoBoat.com (p. 26/37), IFDS (p. 26), BPA 2. True. Encouraging or assisting athletes to use prohib- (p. 27), Berlinger Special (p. 32), NPC Hong Kong (p. 33), Matthias Berg, seven-time Paralympian and active member of NPC Germany ited substances or methods is considered a serious dop- Wheelchair Curling Federation (p. 34), Eric Winton (p. 34), James Netz (p. 35), Andrea Carloni (p. 35), Brianne Law (p. 36), Luca Pancalli, President of NPC Italy ing violation and a sanction will be imposed under the NPC Russia (p. 36), Veloimages (p. 37), BT(p. 39), Paul Zimmer Nabil Salem, former President of NPC Egypt and the African Paralympic Committee World Anti-Doping Code. (p. 39), Yara Hoppenbrouwers (p. 40/41), Right to Dream (p. 41), Randy Snow, four-time Paralympian and devoted member of the LOCOG (p. 42), Luc Dequick (p. 42), Errol Anderson (p. 42), 3. True. Every athlete has the right to have a representative Laureus (p. 42), Paralympics Ireland (p. 43), Paralympics GB (p. 43), Mariona Masdemont (p. 43), BODA (p. 44), Camera 4 (p. 46) International Tennis Federation (ITF) accompany them to the doping control station. The views expressed in The Paralympian are not ne- Paralympic Sport Awards cessarily those of the IPC. In case of republication of any part of The Paralympian, please send a copy to the Best Male Athlete: German Alpine Skier Gerd Schoenfelder IPC. The publisher reserves the right to edit submit- Best Female Athlete: German Nordic Skier ted articles. The International Paralympic Committee Best Team: Japan’s Ice Sledge Hockey Team endeavours to be as current and accurate as pos- sible with this publication, aiming to treat all readers Best Paralympic Games Debut: Ukraine’s Olesksandra Kononova with courtesy and respect. We can not guarantee how- ever that the information contained in this publication Paralympic Media Awards is complete and accurate in all respects and readers are taken to understand and agree to this disclaimer Best Photograph: Jeff Crow of upon reading any part of The Paralympian. No infringe- Australia’s Sport the Library ments upon any law, including sport regulations, from Best Written: Gary Kingston from people within the photographs and/or featured in the magazine’s content were known at the time of publication. Canada’s Vancouver Sun Articles, pictures and other written or graphic devices pub- Best Broadcast: Sky Sport lished in The Paralympian may not be reproduced without New Zealand the prior written permission of the International Paralympic Committee.

German Alpine Skier Gerd Schoenfelder PRINT recieving the Paralympic Sport Award for Best Male Athlete from China’s H ou Bin, winner of three Paralympic golds in high jump OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT ISSUE NO. 1 | 2012

“ To Enable Paralympic Athletes to Achieve Sporting Excellence and Inspire and Excite the World.”

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