THE Official Magazine of the International Paralympic Committee PARALYMPIAN ISSUE 4 2006 Japan in action on the road at the 2006 IPC Cycling World Championships. Photo ©: Prezioso CYCLING STANDARDS THE HIGHEST EVER The 2006 IPC Cycling World Championships In the women's Handcycling Division B-C Road provided six days of top-level international Race, Monique Van de Vorst (NED) crossed the line INSIDE competition from 10 to 18 September. The only milliseconds ahead of second placed Andrea Championships were organized by the International Eskau (GER). In the men's Handcycling Division B Cycling Union (UCI) and held in the World Cycling Road Race, the first four cyclists to cross the finish Centre at UCI Headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland. BOCOG Launches line arrived within a second of each other. The This provided the organizers and athletes with men's Road Races in the LC1, LC2 and LC3 sport New Mascot: Lele access to the best Cycling knowledge and facilities classes were all strongly contested as first, second p.2 and gave the world's top cyclists with a disability and third place also came down to less than a an opportunity to hit the track and the road for a second, showing the elite nature of the sport. shot at the World Champion titles. Online Education Said Tony Yorke, Chairperson of the IPC Cycling Programme for Germany came in first overall on the medal tally, Sport Technical Committee: "The rising standards London 2012 p.3 winning a total of 26 medals, including 12 gold. were clearly visible in all areas, including athlete They were followed by Spain with 21 medals, eight performances and the organization. The velodrome of which were gold and third place was taken by provided an accessible and friendly atmosphere President Craven Great Britain with 15 medals, including eight golds. and, for the first time, one compact area could be used for both the Track and Road competitions. Visits Russia There was a bonanza of 17 world records on the From now, the World Championships will be held p.5 Track in the first three days of competition and annually and I look forward to the 2007 competition some highly competitive races on the road. Among in Bordeaux, France." the record breakers, Michael Gallagher of Australia Women on the Rise collected two world records in the men's LC1 (4km) This was the final World Championships to be held in Paralympic Individual Pursuit and LC1 Individual Time Trial. under the auspices of IPC Cycling, as a transfer of Sport p.10 Natalie Simanowski of Germany took two new governance to UCI will occur by the end of the year world records in the women's LC3 (3km) Individual (following ratification by the IPC Governing Board). Pursuit and the LC3 500m Time Trial. Karen Jacobsen of Denmark was also a top competitor, For more information and a full list of results, please breaking world records in both the women's CP4 visit www.2006ipc-cycling.com. 500m Time Trial and CP4 (3km) Individual Pursuit. SPIRIT IN MOTION Photo ©: VANOC Photo ©: Prezioso Photo ©: Eduard Fiegel Photo ©: Caroll Grevemberg VANOC Launches 2010 Europe Hosts IPC World IPC Welcomes Two Gold Atlanta 1996 Paralympics Paralympic Emblem p.3 Championships p.8 Patrons p.4 - Ten Years On p.12 PARALYMPIC GAMES: BEIJING 2008 Progressing in Leaps and Bounds Welcome Lele The last few months have On 6 September, exactly two years before The following month, from 24 to 26 October, been an exciting time for the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Sir Philip was back in Beijing for the the Paralympic Paralympic Games, the Paralympic mascot, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co- Movement. From a 'Lele' was unveiled during a ceremony in ordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 sporting perspective, the front of the Great Wall in Beijing, China. Olympic and Paralympic Games. momentum began in September with the 2006 In the presence of IPC President Sir Philip During the visit, the Commission examined IPC Athletics World Craven, Liu Qi, President of the Beijing 2008 the progress made by BOCOG. Approaching Championships with over Organizing Committee (BOCOG) and Deng Games time, the Commission meetings took a 1,000 athletes competing Pufang, President of the China Disabled more client oriented approach, looking at in the Netherlands. We Persons Federation (CDPF), the mascot was services for athletes, media, etc. then saw some great presented to the attending guests and, via action from the IPC live television broadcasting, to the public. A working group dedicated to the Paralympic Cycling World Championships, followed by Games addressed the Paralympic specific Table Tennis and Wheelchair Dance Sport. Said Sir Philip: "The 2008 Beijing Paralympic aspects and needs of the participants in the Each of these competitions was a Games mascot epitomises another side Paralympic Games. These wonderful demonstration of the of sport. On the one hand, sport is discussions were complemented competitive abilities of Paralympic athletes about medal winning athleticism by a tour to various but also of high quality, professional events. but on the other hand, sport and competition venues and participation in sport brings concluded with a plenary I was also happy to see that the transfer of happiness, fun and session, which underlined governance of Cycling from the IPC to the enjoyment to people all over the remarkable progress International Cycling Union (UCI) is the world. This colourful that has been made. underway. This process has been very ambassador of joy will smooth and I am confident that Cycling for attract people of all ages "I am delighted with athletes with a disability (Para Cycling) will to the universal message the overall progress of be well looked-after by the UCI. I also look of Paralympic Sport, BOCOG, especially forward to a similar process which will take which is 'Spirit in Motion'." for the Paralympic place in 2007, transferring the governance Games. During this of Table Tennis to the International Table ‘Lele’, which means visit the BOCOG Tennis Committee (ITTF). 'happiness', is the name of leadership stressed its the cow that will invite full support to the In early September, I attended the people from across the Paralympic Games, launching ceremony of 'Lele', the new globe to come to Beijing, which is also reflected in mascot of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic enjoy the splendours of the a number of important Games. This was an extraordinary show, Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games steps that have been made. with thousands of participants and and see the inspiring The great promotion through worldwide media coverage. On my most performances of Paralympians. the launch of the Paralympic recent trip to China, I was interviewed by a mascot and the continuous effort number of key Chinese media. I think this is The design of the mascot absorbs the style regarding the accessibility around the evidence of the growing interest in China of the Chinese culture, embodying the Games and the city are only some examples about the Paralympic Games and it will harmony between man and nature and in that respect," commented Sir Philip. continue to grow in the lead up to 2008. resembling the traditional design styles unique to China's folk engraved prints and The IPC will continue its close collaboration The following month, I had the privilege of folk toys. The characteristics of the cow, like with BOCOG as it now enters the critical final visiting Russia, where among other leaders, diligence, determination, courage, endurance phase of venue planning and testing. I met with President Putin. During a special and strength, also incorporate the spirit of dinner, I presented him with the Paralympic Paralympians competing in the Paralympic Honour in recognition of his support for the Games. Paralympic Movement. On receiving the honour, he spoke with me about the importance of the Paralympic Games and The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will take place the enormous value they have in the world from 6 to 17 September 2008, with around 4,000 athletes of sport. I think this is encouragement for us all. from 160 countries competing in 20 sports. Much progress has also been made recently within the Movement. With the IPC Sports Council meeting in Bonn in October and numerous meetings of our standing committees, the whole Movement is buzzing with new ideas and working on augmenting the Movement further. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of the members of the IPC Councils and Committees who each dedicate so much of their time and energy as volunteers to the Movement. With this excellent progress, I wish you all the best for the holiday season. I look forward to returning in 2007 to begin what will be a very exciting and fruitful year for us all. EDITORIAL Sir Philip Craven, MBE IPC President PAGE Sir Philip introduces Lele, the official mascot of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Photo ©: BOCOG. 2 THE PARALYMPIAN ISSUE 4: 2006 PARALYMPIC GAMES: VANCOUVER 2010 "Our people have lived among, and overcome, the challenges of these mountains for thousands of years. This Paralympic Face for Vancouver 2010 Paralympic logo eloquently represents the power and strength of these wonderful dreams of athletes from all over the world will "This was the best Paralympic event ever, athletes as they triumph over the challenges have the chance to become a reality." other than the Paralympics themselves! It's of their environment, and we are honoured awesome that all the emblem launch's to welcome them as they compete within The emblem was launched during a free spectators now know the term Paralympics our traditional territories during the 2010 afternoon concert, featuring Canadian stars and what it's about.