IPC holds joint Orientation Seminar on 2022 Winter Paralympics

The Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games (BOCOG) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) co-hosted the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games Orientation Seminar here on Monday.

The two sides held in-depth and extensive exchanges of views and discussions about the preparations for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in the next six years. The meeting was the first of its kind since BOCOG was inaugurated on December 15, 2015.

IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez led an eight-member delegation to the seminar. He was warmly welcomed by Zhang Jiandong, Executive Vice President of BOCOG and Deputy Mayor of Beijing, and Lu Yong, Vice President of BOCOG and the head of the Executive Board of the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

"When I think of Beijing, I of course think back to the amazing Paralympic Games in 2008 when China and Beijing raised the bar so high," said IPC President Philip Craven in a televised message to the seminar.

"I know you are capable and must repeat a similar feat with the Winter Games in 2022.

"The Closing Ceremony in 2008 was entitled 'A Letter to the Future' and most certainly I see the Games of 2022 being a very big part of that letter. Make sure you reply to that letter with the greatest Paralympic Winter Games in 2022."

"The Chinese government pays close attention to the preparation for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, and BOCOG is ready to do whatever necessary and make sure the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will be as 'fantastic, extraordinary and excellent' as the 2022 Olympic Winter Games," said Zhang Jiandong.

"A successful 2022 Paralympic Winter Games needs joint efforts from BOCOG and the IPC. The seminar marks a good start of the close cooperation between the two sides. The IPC delegation' s visit helps us better understand the Paralympic Winter Games, and lays a solid foundation for BOCOG's preparatory work in this regard," he added.

At the seminar, the IPC delegates walked their BOCOG colleagues through the evolution of the Paralympic Winter Games, the history and governing structure of the IPC, and the IPC's vision, aspiration and values. The two sides also discussed issues like the sports programme, accessibility, inclusion, branding, broadcasting, communication and promotion, media operations, requirements of different clients, legacy and milestone timings of the Paralympic Winter Games.

"In the same way that Beijing 2008 raised the standard for all summer Games eight years ago, we want Beijing 2022 to take the winter Games to new heights," said Gonzalez.

"This Orientation Seminar marks the start of a six-year-long relationship with the Organizing Committee and we hope this transfer of knowledge gives Beijing 2022 a good understanding of what is required to stage the best-ever Paralympic Winter Games."

"All members of the IPC delegation were impressed with the interest the 280 delegates showed during the day long meeting," he added.

In his closing address to the seminar, Lu Yong said he was very satisfied with the outcomes of the discussions, and BOCOG would be ready to put the fruitful outcomes into real practice.

"The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is a good opportunity and also a big challenge for BOCOG. BOCOG should spare no effort to push forward the participation of Chinese disabled persons' in the Paralympic Winter Games, and turn winter sports into an important tool to facilitate disable people's body building and rehabilitation," Lu added.

Chinese representatives from the State General Administration of Sport, the China Disabled Persons' Federation, Beijing and Hebei Province also attended the seminar.

BOCOG and the International Olympic Committee held a similar Orientation Seminar in early November, 2015. Endit