Paris 2024 shares its vision for the Paralympic Games at the IPC headquarters

By Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, Paris, Feb 10, 2017: Sir Philip, One week after the submission of the final candidature file to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a delegation from the Paris 2024 Bid Committee has visited the headquarters of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in Bonn, Germany to share its project with leaders of the Paralympic movement.

The delegation, led by Paris 2024 Co-Chair Tony Estanguet and Emmanuelle Assmann, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, met with IPC President Sir Philip Craven, Chief Executive, Xavier Gonzalez and Thanos Kostopoulos, Director for Integration.

During the visit Paris 2024 Chief Executive Etienne Thobois and Lambis Konstantinidis, Head of Sports and Paralympic Integration, presented the scale of Paris’ Paralympic ambition to stage the most successful Paralympic Games in history.

Paris 2024 is committed to serve as a true catalyst for transformation and the development of stronger foundations for Paralympic sport.

The Games concept, developed in close collaboration with athletes, includes a 100% accessible eco-village (offering over 60% of single rooms for Paralympians) that will sit adjacent to the Aquatics Centre and the Stade de France. It will be serviced by the largest and most modern station in Paris (Pleyel). Ninety per cent of Paralympians will be within 10 kilometres of their competition sites and all venues will be accessible via Paris’ world-class public transport system.

With 95% of existing or temporary installations, Paris 2024 allows for more investment on a legacy plan that will help change society through sport. A good example was this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Week at French schools, last month. The nationwide programme — now a part of the school curriculum — raised impairment awareness among one million children, laying the groundwork for more engagement among students beyond 2024.

Another good example of Paris 2024 legacy for Paralympic sport is the first Paralympic training youth centre at Le Bourget. The venue for Wheelchair Fencing and Badminton in 2024 will prepare the next generation of para-athletes and support the development of sport for people with impairment.

Tony Estanguet, Co-Chair of Paris 2024, said:
“Experiencing the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games last year reinforced my belief in the absolute importance of the Paralympic Movement. With Paris 2024 we have the opportunity to create a truly unique project that combines two amazing events in one incredible celebration of passion and purpose in the heart of Paris.

“With 95 per cent of venues existing or temporary structures, Paris 2024 will invest much of its resources in its legacy plan to encourage positive change through sport. From the mobilisation of people with impairment in the preparation of the Games, to the development and promotion of para-sport to transform public perceptions, Paris 2024 wants to be an accelerator of change.”

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said:

“I would like to thank the leaders of the Paris 2024 bid committee for their visit to the IPC headquarters in Bonn to present their bid. The IPC office will now analyse the three files ahead of the Evaluation Commission visit in which Paralympian Duane Kale will take part. Throughout this process the candidate cities have demonstrated their willingness to learn and integrate the recommendations of the IPC and their proposals are very positive from the perspective of the 2024 Games.”

Emmanuelle Assmann, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee and medallist at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, said:

“It is important for us to show that the Olympic and the Paralympic Games are two sides of the same coin. Following the successful launch of the international campaign last week, the visit of Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 Co-Chair, to IPC President Sir Philip Craven is very symbolic and underscores the ambition of the bid committee to organise an extraordinary Games with passion and purpose that can be shared with the world.”