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There has been exciting news for wheelchair basketball and the Paralympic Games as the IOC and IPC have outlined the principles for a new long-term agreement between the organisations.
Under this new agreement, the IOC and IPC will co-operate with the aim of
- Increasing the visibility of the Paralympic Games and enhancing the Paralympic brand;
- Deepening existing co-operation, specifically on the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap of the future for the Olympic Movement;
- Ensuring the financial stability and long-term viability of the IPC, the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement. The new agreement would run through 2032 and build on the current partnership and co-operation agreements that were signed prior to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
President of IWBF Ulf Mehrens said, “The new agreement is very important for both the Paralympic movement and our sport. If the IPC and IOC continue to work closely together to help enhance the visibility of the Paralympic Games and disability sport this can only continue to have a positive impact on wheelchair basketball as we look to reach more countries and introduce our great sport to new audiences.”
“This agreement is an important milestone in the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “The IOC and IPC share the same goal of making the world a better place through sport and I look forward to our two organisations working closely together to achieve this. The IPC’s focus on sport for all and on high-level performance will enable it to reach more and more people around the world, and to ensure the organisation's long-term success.”
IPC President Sir Philip Craven said: “I am delighted that the IPC and IOC have agreed on the principles and vision behind a new long-term agreement that will further strengthen and support the Paralympic Movement in the years to come. The IOC is the IPC’s number one strategic partner and we are grateful to President Bach and the Olympic Movement for their continued support. We will now work together over the coming weeks and months to finalise the agreement which will take our partnership into a fourth decade and make the Paralympic Movement more self-sustainable.”
