ANNUAL

REPORT
2020/2021

CHANGE
STARTS
WITH
SPORT

INTE RNATIONAL PAR ALYMPIC COMM IT TE E

CONTENTS
WELCOME AND STRENGTHENING THE FURTHERING THE REACH OF THE USING PARA SPORT TO CREATE A TRULY A CONTINUOUS PURSUIT OF 62 With one year until the Games, ­the IPC
INTRODUCTIONS PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT PARALYMPIC GAMES INCLUSIVE SOCIETY EXCELLENCE launched #WaitForTheGreats, ­a multi-­
pronged athlete-focussed campaign.
4 IPC President Andrew Parsons on the 14 Four Paralympians reflect on how they 28 IPC Governing Board member Yasushi 40 2020 was a year that increasingly 50 IPC Vice President Duane Kale explains
63 New Worldwide Paralympic Partner
historic
­ Games postponement and swapped sport to fight back against the Yamawaki details how the Tokyo 2020 ­saw Para athletes challenge the the progress made with the Governance
­Airbnb got creative in the middle of the
­working together to make progress in t­ he COVID-19 pandemic. Games remained on track in the most ­misconceptions attached to disability. Review that will ensure the IPC remains
pandemic with the launch of its Online
face of adversity. testing of circumstances. world leading.
16 In 2020, sports had to adapt – s­ hooting 42 Para Sport Against Stigma, a new project Experiences platform.
6 CEO Mike Peters on how the IPC s­ taff ­Para sport and Para powerlifting 30 To grow and develop the Games, 2 ­ 020 that aims to overcome d ­ iscrimination 52 The story of how IPC staff members
64 Working with long-term partner Alli-
remained focussed on members and ­innovated with more use of technology. saw new initiatives that ensure future against persons with d ­ isabilities in created a Disability Employee Resource
anz, the IPC created an award-winning
­the Games, and built strong future Games are more inclusive and reach a ­Africa, was successfully launched. Group that is blazing a trail on disability
18 Classification saw increased standards ­podcast, A Winning Mindset: Lessons from
­foundations. bigger TV audience in Africa. awareness.
for governance to ensure there could be 43 In October, the IPC announced it was the Paralympians.
8 International Disability Alliance­President classification in the pandemic. 32 Three exciting initiatives kept ­­the ­creating and supporting a Refugee 54 In 2020, the IPC conducted a s­ trategic
66 Representation matters for world-
Ana Lucia Arellano believes Para sport ­momentum surging forward for Beijing
­­ Paralympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 ­review to ensure the Strategic Plan
20 Professor Wayne Derman explains how wide partners Toyota and P&G, who
can be a vehicle to drive forward the 2022. Paralympic Games. ­2019-22 remained on track.
the IPC Medical Committee swung into brought the values they share with the
human rights agenda.
action when COVID-19 hit. 34 How the potential of the Games is b
­ eing 44 Vladimir Cuk of the International 56 How the team at the IPC who look after ­Paralympics to TV’s biggest stage.
10 An overview of the IPC world – who we unlocked by Paris 2024, Milano Cortina ­Disability Alliance and Caroline Casey communications for the World Para
21 Anti-Doping worked with WADA to launch 68 Presenter Alex Brooker on how
are, what our structure is a
­ nd who we 2026 and LA28. ­of The Valuable 500 discuss how Sports used social media to engage new
a new online education site for athletes Channel 4 created the blueprint of how
work for. ­collaboration with the IPC is vital in the viewers in 2020.
and coaches heading to Tokyo 2020. 36 How the Athlete Support Programme a ­commercial broadcaster can raise the
ongoing battle for inclusivity.
is helping athletes like Para s­ wimmer 57 Our Technology and Transformation profile of Paralympic sport.
22 IPC Athletes’ Council chairperson Chelsey
Alejandra Aybar compete a ­ t the 47 How the IPC is developing and d­ eepening ­team had an important year keeping
Gotell reflects on the advances made for 71 Chief Brand and Communications Officer
­Paralympics. relations with the European Union ­the I­ PC connected and putting digital
athletes over the last five years. Craig Spence on how partners can help
to a
­ dvance important issues for the ­accessibility centre stage.
deliver societal change.
23 How Paulina Malinowska-Kowalczyk Paralympic Movement.
went from IPC Women in Sport Commit- DELIVERING CHANGE FOR
FINANCIAL REPORTS
tee award winner to being appointed as THE WORLD
Secretary General of NPC Poland.
74 Prudence was at the heart of the IPC’s
60 Launching on Netflix, Rising Phoenix told
24 Development programme delivery ­­was financial planning in 2020.
the extraordinary story of the Paralympic
brought back in-house, as the ­­Agitos
Games like never before. 76 The Statement of Income – Revenues and
­Foundation became Membership
Expenses.
­Programmes.

VISION MISSION
Make for an inclusive world To lead the Paralympic Movement,
through Para sport. oversee the delivery of the
Paralympic Games, and support
members to enable Para athletes to
achieve sporting excellence.

2 3
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
IPC President Andrew Parsons on the most unique of years: from reimagining
the postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and being in awe of athletes’
fortitude, to navigating the Paralympic Movement through its biggest ever crisis
and advancing human rights for persons with disabilities.

HISTORIC POSTPONEMENT Within one week, we went from focussing on location they could despite the various lock-
The year 2020 was one like no other. Almost the final six months of preparations to working down measures. After hearing such strug-
overnight, the whole world appeared to come from home and having just 18 months to rethink gles and dedication first-hand, we knew we
to a shuddering halt as COVID-19 changed the and replan every element of the Paralympic­ had to find a way to deliver safe and secure The work the IPC team does helps
way we all went about our daily lives. Games. It was like trying to pull a U-turn in a F1 ­Paralympic ­Games in 2021. create the platform for athletes like
car at full speed, something that should not be sisters Anaís Méndez (left) and
For a time, sport became irrelevant. The pri- Alongside the difficult stories were the tales Poleth Mendes Sanchez (right) to
attempted unless absolutely necessary.
ority for all was human survival as we tried to of heroism from the medically qualified Para make history. The siblings from Ecua-
dor compete in F20 shot put, and
come to terms with the first global pandemic athletes who had swapped their training kits
THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACT respectively won silver and gold at
for more than century. for scrubs to work on the frontline of the pan- the 2019 Parapan American Games.
The pandemic and the decision to postpone
demic. I was left in awe at how these amaz-
As the virus took hold, it soon became a
­ pparent Tokyo 2020 impacted everyone involved in the
ing people had gone from preparing for the
that with limited knowledge of how the situa- Paralympic Movement, none more so than the
biggest sport event of their careers to saving Thanks to a herculean effort by the whole was suffering their own pandemic pain – was During the year, the IPC also established his-
tion would evolve, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic athlete community.
human life. team and cost-savings across the organisa- unflinching and, if anything, it grew stronger. toric Co-operation Agreements with the likes
Games could not go ahead as originally
I remember a call with athlete representatives tion, the IPC finished the financial year with a of the International Disability Alliance, UN
planned. The Games were rightly postponed The postponement of Tokyo 2020 and the can- The pandemic led to hardship for many of
soon after the postponement where I heard balanced budget achieved without the need Human Rights and The Valuable 500 amongst
for the first time in history and thanks to the cellation of multiple World Para Sport events our member organisations. However, thanks
several harrowing stories on the mental health for any external financial support, a tremen- others. The IPC now has highly credible and
unwavering support of the Japanese govern- meant the IPC had to react to a sudden change to the support of Toyota, through the NPC
struggles many were facing. I was also blown dous achievement by all concerned. trusted partners it can work with to advance
ment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and in cashflow. Many forecasted revenues would Development Programme, and Citi, we made
away by the commitment of athletes who said our third strategic pillar. Such relationships
the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee were be either no longer forthcoming or delayed By year end it was clear that while COVID- EUR 1.8 million of grants – the biggest amount
they were continuing to train at whatever provided the foundations for the IPC to launch
rescheduled for one year later. until 2021. 19 had impacted nearly every person on the in IPC history – available to help all our mem-
WeThe15 in 2021, our biggest ever communica-
planet, it had disproportionately impacted bers during the most difficult of times.
tions campaign to advance the human rights
persons with disabilities. At a time when the
Faced with the unique challenge of replanning of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabil-
world was trying to leave no-one behind, the
Tokyo 2020, our relationship with the IOC grew ities and to challenge the stigma attached to
world’s largest marginalised group was expe-
Rethinking riencing growing levels of discrimination and
stronger than ever with the pandemic bringing disability.
both organisations closer together. The team-
and replanning the exclusion.
work between IPC and IOC, as well as with
It is often said that Paralympians see chal-
lenges as opportunities to do things differ­
Paralympic Games In my view, this justified the need for Tokyo Tokyo 2020, was extraordinary as we created
ently. In 2020, the pandemic meant the IPC
was like trying to pull 2020 to go ahead in 2021; persons with dis-
abilities needed a global platform and voice
from scratch a new blueprint for how to stage
the world’s first and third biggest sport events
and Paralympic Movement faced our biggest

a U-turn in a F1 car at more than ever before and with the Paralympic during a pandemic.
crisis to date. Yet through new ways of work-
ing and thinking, we continued to thrive as an
full speed, something Games we could provide just that.
organisation and as a Movement. I for one,
PROGRESS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
that should not STICKING TOGETHER DURING THE Despite the pandemic, the IPC made strong
have never been prouder to be President of the
IPC and member of the Paralympic Movement.
be attempted HARDEST OF TIMES progress in areas, advancing the review of

unless absolutely “During the worst of times, you get to see who
your true friends are.”
our governance structures and ticking off
several priorities from the IPC Strategic Plan
necessary.” This well-known saying was certainly more
2019-2022.

Andrew Parsons appropriate than ever in 2020, underling Netflix movie Rising Phoenix gave a fantas-
IPC President what tremendous friends, partners and stake­ tic insight into the history of the Paralympic
holders the IPC has. Movement and the stories of several lead-
Andrew Parsons
ing Paralympians, engaging new audi­ ences
In particular, the support of our commer- IPC President
Although international travel was largely suspended and virtual meetings became the norm, it didn’t stand in the way of Games organisation. IPC President Andrew Parsons (second right) attends around the world.
cial and broadcast partners – each of whom
online the important five-party planning meeting with Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Yuriko Koike (left) and IOC President Thomas Bach (second left), while Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto
(centre) and Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa (right) are at Tokyo 2020 headquarters.

4 5
DELIVERING ON
OUR PURPOSE
CEO Mike Peters on how our dedicated IPC staff met the challenges of the
pandemic head on, remained focussed on members and the Games, and built
strong future foundations.

In preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Indeed, the many tests we faced due to the
Games, I discovered several unique Japanese pandemic forced us to focus on the most
words that seemed appropriate to the excep- important elements of IPC business. We
tional situation 2020 presented us. One beau- further undertook a deep dive on the IPC’s
tiful word that stayed with me was ‘ikigai’, Strategic Plan 2019-2022. We zeroed in on
which asks what’s your purpose in life, why do what we had delivered, what we still owed
you get up in the morning? and what we could do better. Our guiding
principle for doing so has been accountability
Amidst all the uncertainty of 2020, having a
to our members.
sense of purpose was never more important
in the history of the Paralympic Movement, We have achieved greater communication
and I could not be prouder of our staff whose flow with members, whether by ensuring mem-
diligence ensured that a challenging year ber engagement via introducing video calls
became a triumph. after each Governing Board meeting, or by
introducing a bi-weekly newsletter that high-
In 2020, every organisation across the world
I could not lighted areas of best practice among members
was forced to reassess its business – the IPC
was no different. Given that a critical part of be prouder of for confronting the pandemic and provided
updates on athlete classification and com-
our Mission is to oversee the delivery of the
our staff whose petition opportunities amidst ever-changing Brazilian Para canoe athlete Luis Carlos Cardoso epitomises the commitment and positive attitude of athletes preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Paralympic Games, the decision taken in March
2020 to postpone them altered everything. diligence ensured COVID restrictions worldwide.

Across the IPC business every department was that a challenging From our end, we were appreciative of In 2020 we turbo-charged our efforts to disability, an area which lags far behind other In my view, the Movement is fortunate to have
members’ understanding and support. At collaborate with global thought-leaders in social movements in terms of broad support, such an incredibly committed set of individu-
impacted, from operations, membership and
year became a times, as we were re-planning the Games, we disability. One action we took was to sign institutional backing and social investment. als who are in love with Para sport and with
classification, who had to re-plan the logis-
tics of the Games for our members and their triumph.” did not have all the answers to their important cooperation agreements with the Interna-
One consequence is that we need to punch far
our members and stakeholders who support it.
questions, but we knew we had each other’s tional Disability Alliance, the Valuable 500 and They know full well that the athlete life cycle
athletes, to legal and finance, where revised above our weight and work tirelessly to find
Mike Peters IPC CEO trust and that we were all in this together. UN Human Rights. By doing so, we have con- is fragile and that we need to constantly give
contracts and delayed revenue streams meant innovative solutions for our organisation and
Together, we helped each other get to the tinued to build our third pillar of the business. our best so that Para athletes can have the
challenging new workflows. its members. It often is not easy work, but our
Games in 2021. opportunities they deserve to put their amaz-
One of the first outcomes of these efforts team members are united in our passion to
A large amount of work was undertaken in ing talents on display and realise their dreams.
has been the development of the decade excel, both in partnership with our Governing
the first half of 2020 that did not generate IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
the postponement was announced, we cut long WeThe15 campaign. This campaign Board and on behalf of all our members and Despite the many obstacles the pandemic has
immediate financial gain for the IPC; it did, In 2020, despite what was coming at us,
the IPC’s operational budget by 20% while aspires to be the most effective global human the athletes they serve. presented, this fabulous group of people have
how­ever, ensure that we could be sustainable the IPC never compromised on our goal of
ensuring no cuts would be made to the monies rights movement to represent the world’s epitomised ikigai. They are leaning into the
in the long-term, as we were able to develop improving. We knew that we still had the It is important to share that only one-third of
for member and athlete programmes. 1.2 billion persons with disabilities and opportunities and challenges in front of them
framework budgets to 2025. We can approach responsibility to deliver the things we needed our staff are German nationals. This means
together with a broad range of international with an uncompromising zeal in their purpose.
the future with confidence. Also, as 2020 progressed and we witnessed to deliver, like the Classification Code Review that during the pandemic, we not only were
entities, the IPC is going to make a difference I want to thank each of them because I know
the challenges facing our members grow, and the Governance Review. With thanks trying to deliver on the far-reaching potential
for the planet’s largest marginalised group. just how hard the year has been.
WORKING FOR OUR MEMBERS we doubled our efforts and developed the also to our members, Governing Board and of our Mission and Vision, but we also were
Why was all this effort important? Because COVID-19 Relief Grant Fund. In doing so, we committee members, important progress was working to support our many team members The future of the Movement is in safe hands,
THE POWER OF OUR PEOPLE
the IPC is an athlete-centred, membership made EUR 1.8 million in grant funding available made in both, which undoubtedly will put the who were living separated from friends and and it continues to be my greatest honour to
One constant of the IPC is that our people rise
focussed organisation, both of whom were to our 200-plus member organisations for use entire Movement on a stronger footing. family at a time full of uncertainty and very serve this exceptional organisation and the
to the challenge. To be clear, we are an inter-
uppermost in our decisions for 2020. When in 2021. regrettably, loss. Paralympic Movement.
national organisation working in the area of

6 7
“UNITING THE WORLD OF
PARALYMPIC SPORTS AND
THE DISABILITY MOVEMENT
WAS LONG OVERDUE”
Ana Lucia Arellano is President of the International Disability
Alliance (IDA). In 2020, the IDA and the IPC signed a historic
Co­operation Agreement to advance the rights of persons with
disabilities and jointly commit to use Para sport as a vehicle to
drive forward the human rights agenda. As Ana explains here, over
the next decade we will be one movement, one people, with one
objective – fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities.

The year 2020 was deeply challenging for years to come. The IDA and the IPC will work the IPC and work with WeThe15 campaign
people around the world and for the inter­ together to advocate for the full realisation members to realise our vision of a society which
national community as a whole. of the rights of persons with disabilities, and values diversity, respects equality and fulfills
we hope that collaborating in a range of joint the full potential of persons with disabilities.
In the first quarter of 2020, the coronavirus dis-
activities and projects will make a meaning-
ease (COVID-19) pandemic started to i­mpact We know that more must be done to break
ful contribution to the lives of persons with
the entire planet in unprecedented ways. It down societal and systemic barriers that
disabilities.
was an even more difficult year for persons are preventing persons with disabilities from
with disabilities, who have been dispropor- Future collaboration events are already fulfilling their potential and being active
tionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic planned. The IDA is honoured to participate members of society. Furthermore, the past
and ­response measures. in the 2021 IPC Inclusion Summit. We look for- year has shown that we must also work hard
ward to the IPC participation at the Global to prevent new barriers from being created. At
The year was, however, not without posi-
Disability Summit in February 2022, to mobilise the same time, we can be hopeful about the
tive developments – 2020 was also the year
efforts for disability ­inclusive ­
development, creation of more disability-inclusive and just
in which the International Disability Alliance
leaving no-one behind, and building back societies. The disability rights movement con-
(IDA) and the International Paralympic Com-
better after the COVID-19 pandemic. tinues to strengthen and together we can be
mittee (IPC) signed a Memorandum of Under-
much more than the sum of our parts.
standing and committed to build a strong Now more than ever we need a reinvigorated
partnership. global movement publicly campaigning for Harnessing Paralympic sport’s unique ability
disability visibility, accessibility and inclusion. to engage massive global audiences and
­
Uniting the world of Paralympic sports and the
Through WeThe15, which launches in 2021, ­create positive change is a critical part of the
disability movement was long overdue, as we
over 20 partner organisations are starting a disability movement. This has already helped
are one movement, one people and we have
10-year journey with resolute commitment, make good progress in ensuring greater
one objective: to fight for the rights of persons
high expectations and immense transform- awareness, visibility, and representation of
with disabilities across the globe. To discuss
ative potential. The initial preparation and persons with disabilities. The work the IDA and
collaboration, a high-level event was organ-
conversations for the campaign started in
­ the IPC will undertake together in the coming
ised virtually between the Board of the IPC
2020. years will help ensure the rights of persons
and the Executive Committee of IDA.
with disabilities across the globe are fully
We know this is a marathon and not a sprint.
This collaboration is very timely given the respected, protected and fulfilled, making
Over the next decade, the IDA, with over 1,100
current challenges faced by persons with
­ inclusive equality a reality for all.
organisations of persons with disabilities
­disabilities, which we know will continue in the
from over 180 countries, will join forces with

(Top) Masayuki Higuchi (L) and Ryota Yoshida compete in the Men’s 1500m T54 final during a Para athletics test event at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
(Bottom) Brazilian Para swimmer Jessica Oliveira, a 16-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, whose dream is to represent Brazil in a Paralympic Games.
8 9
WHO WE ARE IPC STRUCTURE
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of THE IPC GOVERNING BOARD, elected
by the IPC membership every four years at
the Paralympic Movement. An international non-profit organisation based in the IPC General Assembly, is responsible

Bonn, Germany, we celebrated our 30th birthday on 22 September 2019. for setting the policies and for ensuring the
directions set by the membership at the
­
General Assembly are implemented. Composed

We used this landmark date to announce a new global positioning of the of 12 elected members, plus the IPC CEO and
Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council, it
Paralympic brand so that the widest possible audience has more opportunities meets at least three times a year and meetings

to engage, understand and appreciate what makes our transformational work are chaired by the President.

unique. This is what we have committed to. THE IPC ATHLETES’ COUNCIL is a group of
elected athlete representatives who act as the
voice of the Para athlete community to the IPC.
OUR BRAND NARRATIVE
THE IPC MANAGEMENT TEAM based
CHANGE STARTS WITH SPORT. in Bonn, Germany, undertakes the IPC’s
This was created to better communicate the day-­
to-day activities which aim to fulfil the
transformational impact the Paralympic Move- organisation’s strategic priorities.
ment has on society and to drive the human A sign of the times in 2020 and 2021: the IPC Governing Board wearing masks for one of their meetings.

rights agenda. Through our brand, we aim to

WHO WE WORK FOR

change attitudes and create more opportu-
nities for persons with disabilities, as well as
improve mobility and accessibility.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN The IPC’s primary responsibilities are to serve and support our 200-plus 15 INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS They have a responsibility for
members, develop Para sport and advocate social inclusion, and ensure governing sports on the Paralympic programme. There are 11 Olympic
FIVE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES.
the successful delivery and organisation of the Paralympic Games. Our and Paralympic Federations: archery, badminton, canoe, cycling, eques-
In 2019, after consulting with our members
members are: trian, rowing, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, wheelchair curling and
and other key stakeholders, we developed five
wheelchair tennis. There are four Paralympic Sport Federations: boccia,
strategic priorities with bespoke objectives. 182 NATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEES NPCs are the sole
sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
Afghan refugee Abbas Karimi is one of the prospective athletes for the Refugee Paralympic Team that the IPC will support These reflect the IPC’s focus and areas of representative of the Paralympic Movement in their territory. They have
at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
activity until 2022. the exclusive right to enter their athletes in the Paralympic Games and 10 PARA SPORTS The IPC is currently the Federation for: World Para
other IPC competitions. Alpine Skiing, World Para Athletics, World Para Dance Sport, World Para
OUR VISION OUR MISSION 1. Strengthen the effectiveness of the Ice Hockey, World Para Nordic Skiing (in charge of the Para biathlon and
TO MAKE FOR AN INCLUSIVE WORLD TO LEAD THE PARALYMPIC MOVE- Paralympic Movement at all levels. Para cross-country skiing disciplines), World Para Powerlifting, World
THROUGH PARA SPORT. MENT, OVERSEE THE DELIVERY OF THE 2. Enhance the Paralympic Games experience Shooting Para Sport, World Para Snowboard and World Para Swimming.
Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome, PARALYMPIC GAMES, AND SUPPORT and further its reach as a celebration of
5 REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS They focus on regional games,
Italy, in 1960 the Paralympics have grown MEMBERS TO ENABLE PARA ATHLETES human diversity.
member support and regional cooperation. There are four Regional
exponentially in size and scale. The trans- TO ACHIEVE SPORTING EXCELLENCE. 3. Drive a cultural shift through Para sport for
­Organisation members: African Paralympic Committee, Asian Paralympic
formational impact of the event has also As an athlete-centred, membership focussed a truly inclusive society.
Committee, European Paralympic Committee and Oceania Paralympic
matured, acting as a catalyst to change for organisation, the IPC sets the strategic 4. Ensure the continuous pursuit of excellence
Committee. The Americas Paralympic Committee is an IPC Regional
people, cities, governments and countries. direction for the whole Paralympic Movement in what we do and how we do it.
Committee currently under IPC governance.
Today, the Games are the world’s number one through the publication of four-yearly Strategic 5. Develop and deliver a new brand
sport event for driving social inclusion. Plans. In addition to overseeing the delivery of statement that globally positions our 4 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS OF SPORT FOR THE
our pinnacle event – the Paralympic Games – vision and mission. DISABLED They concentrate more on grassroots development of the
Away from the Games, Para sport empowers
we also aim to provide s­ upport, guidance and sport. They are: CPISRA (cerebral palsy), IBSA (vision impairment), IWAS
people, changes attitudes towards disability
the relevant tools to our 200-plus members This Annual Report is a snapshot of the (wheelchair and amputee) and Virtus (intellectual impairment). IWAS is
and creates greater opportunities for the
to develop Para sport at all levels, from the impact the IPC is having in delivering our also responsible for wheelchair fencing.
world’s one billion persons with disabilities.
grassroots through to high performance. vision, mission, brand narrative and strategic
Together we have a unique opportunity to transform the world,
We use Para sport as a vehicle to drive social priorities, and who we are partnering with to
­empowering the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities.
inclusion at all levels. deliver them.
Yui Kamiji of Japan and Jordanne Whiley of Great Britain celebrate with their championship Together we make a more inclusive world through Para sport.
trophies after winning the Wheelchair Women’s Doubles final match at the US Open.

10 11
 1
STRENGTHENING
THE PARALYMPIC
MOVEMENT

A stronger Paralympic Movement

increases the overall impact
we all can have on enabling
Para athletes, delivering sport
opportunities, and driving
social inclusion.

Paralympic athlete Felipe da

Sousa Gomes trains on the roof
of his mother-in-law’s ­house in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Felipe is a
two-time Paralympic champion with
three silver medals and one bronze
medal. ­He primarily competes in
T11 sprint events. He lost his ­vision
as a result of congenital glaucoma,
cataracts and a detached retina.
His wife placed guide ropes around
the roof to aid his movements
during training.

12 13
THE PARA ATHLETES WHO SIERRA LEONEAN PARA TABLE TENNIS
PLAYER GEORGE WYNDHAM JOINED
People used to ask me if I preferred sport THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE

SWAPPED SPORT FOR (EOC), WORKING AS A COMMUNITY

or medicine. I never knew what to answer. Now, MOBILISER TO HELP EDUCATE HIS
though, healthcare is the most important thing COUNTRYMEN ABOUT THE DANGERS

FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19.

to all of us.” Susana Rodríguez Spanish Para triathlete “They were looking for people to help spread
awareness and knowledge about COVID-19.
As a Paralympian, I felt I could spread the

Fighting back against COVID-19 in 2020 required a global effort. Four Paralympians SPANISH PARA TRIATHLETE SUSANA “We delivered rice, oil, chicken and eggs. We
message stronger.

discussed their contributions during the most testing of years. RODRÍGUEZ WAS THE FIRST VISION took them directly to people’s homes. We
“I went for the job and automatically they said
‘Yes, this is someone we need.’
IMPAIRED WOMAN TO BECOME A knew many people needed them because they
MEDICAL DOCTOR IN SPAIN. DURING couldn’t go out to work. Many children are “We shouldn’t leave behind persons with
2020, SHE JUGGLED HER SPORTING barefoot and malnourished. a disability in anything the country faces.
COMMITMENTS WITH A PROFESSIONAL Coming out and volunteering to help in the
“The foundation is working and fighting every
YEAR LIKE NO OTHER. fight against coronavirus, I felt very good. The
day. In the future, we want to find and help
“For the last four years, I’ve been working only challenge we faced was mobility. Because
more people in Colombia. We want to expand
on physical medicine and rehabilitation. But we’re on wheelchairs, we’re not able to reach
across the country.
during the COVID-19 pandemic, many medical certain communities.
professionals in Spain left our daily work to join “We started the foundation before COVID-19,
“So I want to thank the EOC and the United
the battle against coronavirus. It was quite a but the pandemic didn’t become an obstacle.
Nations Development Programme for provid-
hard year and still is … but I was pleased that We established events, bought toys for chil-
ing us with the vehicles to help us move around
I could help. dren and even managed to get a prosthesis
communities easily and pass on the messages
for one girl. Our foundation has done a lot of
“I saw how serious the situation was. Every day we need to.
good things.”
we were seeing some very worrying figures.
“I thank God for keeping me and my family
“I’ve learned a lot from this. There’s nothing US PARA SNOWBOARDER BRITTANI alive, and I still believe that God will keep me
more important than health. Life comes first. COURY WAS AT THE FRONTLINE OF HER and my family safe until this thing is over. I
It comes before everything. People used to COUNTRY’S RESPONSE TO THE PAN- know that one day, this will be over and we
ask me if I preferred sport or medicine. I never DEMIC, WORKING AS A NURSE AT THE will go back to normal, and I am ready.”
knew what to answer. Now, though, healthcare UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HOSPITAL.
SUSANA RODRÍGUEZ FABIO TORRES
is the most important thing to all of us. Every “I love being a nurse. In times like these, if you
morning I saw people dying. The situation in have a degree – especially in healthcare – and
Spain was devastating and the cooperation of you don’t put it to use and you don’t go out
all of us was a must. there and help, I feel like that’s such a huge They were looking
“Anyone can be a hero in this pandemic. It’s
disservice. I don’t think I could live with myself for people to
if I just stayed home.
enough just to behave properly and set an help spread
example, by looking after yourself and every- “But even as a healthy person, the fatigue of
one else.” COVID was like nothing else. The lack of smell awareness and
and taste – I have never experienced anything knowledge about
COLOMBIAN PARA POWERLIFTER like that. I could eat something and couldn’t
FABIO TORRES SPENT 10 HOURS A DAY tell you what it was. It could have been COVID-19. As a
WORKING FOR HIS GESTIÓN, AMOR Y cardboard. Paralympian, I
VIDA FOUNDATION, DELIVERING FOOD
PARCELS IN BOGOTA TO THOSE WHO
“We’re still in the thick of it. The after-effects felt I could spread
of this virus are like nothing I’ve ever seen.
NEEDED THEM MOST. the message
“We did it so the many people who live off “This has made me appreciate the things I
their day-to-day work, selling fruit or other took for granted. I just had to keep focusing on stronger.”
kinds of food in the streets, had something to something positive or what I was going to do George Wyndham
eat. There are many people with disabilities next. Setting small goals is not a bad thing. But Sierra Leonean Para table
who are also athletes, and we support them this is temporary. We’re going to get through tennis player
BRITTANI COURY GEORGE WYNDHAM
too. We did it without resting. it. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Just
hold on to that.”

14 15
TECH AND INNOVATION ONLINE COMPETITION FUELS ENGAGEMENT
FOR PARA POWERLIFTING
HELP PARA SPORT ADVANCE For World Para Powerlifting, COVID-19 led to ­ ncertainty of the outbreak, this innovative
u

THROUGH A TESTING YEAR huge changes in its competition delivery. An competition keeps all athletes motivated and
initial one-off online event, where athletes training from the safety of their homes and
could post footage of lifts from their home gyms.”
environments for judgment by certified techni-
Colombia’s Fabio Torres, the winner of the first
DID YOU KNOW?
When COVID-19 arrived, Para sports were adaptable and inventive in finding cal officials, proved an enormous hit.
online competition, added: “This online format
The content generated by the
new ways to keep sport at the centre of their activities. Two sports in particular, Now performance and development manager
Dillon Richardson believes the virtual compe- powerlifters was used by the
is really good. It looks like a real event and
it pushes you to get a great result, helping
shooting Para sport and Para powerlifting, used digital technology to stay ahead. tition format could provide a major boost to World Para Sports communications ­athletes to remain strong.”
nations with more limited travel budgets. “It’s team to promote the sport in a
Richardson is convinced World Para Powerlift-
given them the opportunity to compete at the new way – the final was livestreamed

HOW DENMARK ADAPTED AND IMPROVED ing is stronger after the experience. He says:
same level as other countries,” he says. on Facebook and winners
“While these times have caused challenges
were predicted by fans via

SHOOTING PARA SPORT COACHING A formal protocol, as well as competition rules and changes in all our daily lives, it’s also pre-
an online draft game.
and regulations, were devised for the online sented the opportunity to innovate, embrace
competitions, which started in April 2020 technologies and be creative. Hopefully these
Danish shooting Para sport coach Jonas “Because we have three different videos at Replays of the footage also help the athlete to and then rolled on throughout the year as trends can continue for the better.”
Jacobsson was used to long-distance commu- the same time, I can see from different angles view their own technical issues and make rapid the pandemic continued.
nication before COVID-19. Living in Sweden, he how the athletes are shooting. I can switch improvements. As a result, athletes from 25 countries took
Richardson says: “Each competition presented
relied on Messenger to talk to athletes under between them and zoom into and away from part – ranging from Paralympic champions like
“Analysing video footage isn’t new,” says the opportunity to innovate and test new
his guidance. But the arrival of the pandemic the targets. I’ve also switched it to my TV, so I Mexico’s Amalia Perez to development ath-
Jacobsson. “But doing it in the middle of a things. We also wanted to ensure the com-
meant new ways of remote coaching had to be have a fantastic big broadcast of what’s tak- letes like the Solomon Islands’ Janet Sibale.
training session definitely is. The fact that petition was accessible to athletes around
devised – and fast. ing place.”
Denmark’s able-bodied shooting federation is the world. No registration fee was charged, Three-time Paralympic champion and World
Jacobsson and some of Denmark’s shooting Jacobsson adds: “We’re reinventing and interested in replicating our system suggests processes like the weigh-in only required a Para Powerlifting athlete liaison Sherif Osman
Para sport athletes were particularly vulner- improving everything we did.” we’re doing something that works. common household scale that goes to one was quick to give the online format his
able to coronavirus. In fact, one athlete was decimal place, and equipment requirements approval. The Egyptian said: “With the
­
In fact, he is now convinced his current way “When things get back to normal we’ll
unable to leave their home. So when a new live were loosened.”
of operating is better than his pre-pandemic probably continue to have this set up. We’ll
camera system took its tentative first steps,
system. Jacobsson believes the flexibility of find that, out of necessity, we’ve invented a
Jacobsson was keen to iterate and improve.
different viewpoints allows him to be more better system for everyone.”
“Our first attempt was to use a couple of static strategic and efficient with his athletes.
cameras so I could see live footage from the
camp,” says Jacobsson. “It wasn’t particularly
great – I had to switch between two comput-
ers – but it was something we could work on.” We’re
That initial idea soon spiralled into something reinventing
much more sophisticated. Danish shooting
Para sport technical coach Jens Möllenberg
and
devised a system using more cameras and improving
offering far more precision and control.
every­­thing
“From Sweden I can take over the computer we did.”
in Denmark and control each of the cameras,”
says Jacobsson. “The cameras are positioned Jonas Jacobsson,
around the athletes, so as well as seeing them Danish shooting
I can also view the targets. Para sport coach

Jonas Jacobsson competing for Sweden in the Paralympics. 2020 saw World Para Powerlifting use platforms like Facebook to hold online competitions for athletes.

16 17
CLASSIFICATION RAISING THE STANDARDS OF
GOVERNANCE FOR ATHLETES
THE BOARD OF APPEAL
OF CLASSIFICATION

PROGRESS FOR ALL

Hassan Abdallah

Good governance is central to effective classi- The BAC is a service available to all IFs. The Fred Jansen (Chair)
fication. In 2020, the IPC continued its relent- BAC currently has jurisdiction over classi-
less drive to improve standards. fication appeals in the following sports: Felipe Cárdenas
During 2020, the IPC introduced a series of measures to ensure advances in As part of a strategic refresh of the Board of
Badminton World Federation; World Archery;
Dr Tiago Carvalho
governance and that there could be classification in the pandemic. Appeal of Classification (BAC) - the indepen­
World Para Alpine Skiing; World Para Athletics;
World Para Dance Sport; World Para Ice
dent body that considers, and where deemed Chris Choen
Hockey; World Para Nordic Skiing; World Para
appropriate, conducts hearings regarding
Powerlifting; World Para Snowboard; World Alan Dickson
classification appeals – there was a recruit-
Para Swimming; World Shooting Para Sport.
ment process for new panel members. In June Owain Rhys James
BAC members hold a voluntary position on a
2020 a 14-member panel was appointed
four-year term. Each of the current panel mem- Barry Lysaght
Everything reporting to the independent chair of the BAC,
bers has been appointed until May 2024.
who is Fred Jansen of the Netherlands.
was different, The IPC also acted on feedback to introduce
Bethan Mitchell
The primary purpose of the Board of Appeal
but you adapt. of Classification is to hear athlete classifi-
Vision Impaired (VI) classification away from Andrew Moroney
competition, consulting International Feder-
Fortunately cation appeals in various Para sports across
ations (IFs) in May and National Paralympic
Oghenewaire Jennifer Nikoro
the pandemic the Paralympic Movement. For each specific
appeal, three panel members are usually
Committees (NPCs) in June. Chiara Perona
didn’t change appointed from the pool of panel members to A report was shared with IFs in December
Alberto Predieri
the classifiers, act as a hearing panel. The chair of each hear- 2020 and NPCs in April 2021. The first multi-­
ing panel is responsible for writing a full and sport VI out-of-competition classification Dr David Sharpe
they remained reasoned judgment in each case. opportunities were piloted in the first three
friendly and Liz Riley, General Counsel of the IPC, explained
months of 2021. Consultations will also roll Joe Walsh
on throughout 2021 as we continue to scope
understanding.” the reason for the refresh: “This is the first time
for more out-of-competition classification
the IPC has run an open and proactive recruit-
Marcel Jaroslawski, opportunities.
ment campaign for members of the panel and
Competition director, Polish Open
it was designed to ensure we have the best
Para Athletics Championships VI CLASSIFICATION AWAY FROM
independent and appropriately qualified peo-
COMPETITION WILL:
ple. These new members will enable the IPC
and the IFs to ensure the BAC has appropriate
• Provide more frequent access to
classification for athletes
capacity and expert knowledge.”
• Generate potential cost-sharing
opportunities between IFs
• Increase collaboration on VI
ENSURING A SAFE RETURN TO CLASSIFICATION classification between IFs

When COVID-19 arrived in early 2020, the groups athletes into sport classes that aim to level of safety, classification was offered to
impact on classification looked set to be huge. ensure the impact of impairment is ­m inimised just 18 athletes.
Event cancellations, travel restrictions and the and sporting excellence ­ d etermines which
Chief classifier Rudi van den Abbeele said:
postponement of Tokyo 2020 saw only two athlete or team is ultimately victorious.
“Classification remains classification: athlete-­
of a scheduled 12 classification opportuni-
ties take place during the 2020 Para athletics
By August, classification was taking place centred and respectful towards all parties We were very impressed by the number
­season.
once more, albeit in a slimmed-down fashion. involved. Apart from the hygiene guidelines,
of highly qualified candidates, and athletes
One classification panel and a chief classifier there is no difference.”
But smart thinking, innovation and determina- (compared to a normal two or three panels) should be reassured that we have a panel with
To support the safe return to classification,
tion ensured a safe return to effective classifi- got back in action at the 48th Polish Open
the IPC developed IPC Classification Hygiene
a wide range of expertise in the fields of legal,
cation sooner than anyone expected. Para Athletics Championships. The number of
classification days was extended from three to
and Infection Control Guidelines. The aim of medical, scientific and Para sport.”
Classification is a unique cornerstone of the this document is to support classification
four. And to ensure adequate breaks b­ etween Fred Jansen Independent chair of the Board of Appeal of Classification
Paralympic Movement and performs two organisers and their stakeholders (e.g. IFs,
­
assessments to sanitise equipment, allow
­critical functions: it determines which Para ath- NPCs, local organising committees, classifiers)
fresh air circulation and ensure the highest
letes are eligible to compete in a sport; and it when organising classification activities. Oghenewaire Jennifer Nikoro

18 19
HOW MEDICAL EXPERTISE TAKING ANTI-DOPING
HELPED DELIVER SAFE AND EDUCATION ONLINE AHEAD
SECURE PARA SPORT OF TOKYO 2020
IPC Medical Committee member Professor Wayne Derman, who is also director of The lack of competitive Para sport also had a
knock-on effect for another IPC department in
the Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Stellenbosch University, explains 2020: Anti-Doping. However, it did not let it

how the sport medical community swung into action when the pandemic hit. stand in the way of how it engaged with ath-
letes – in fact, it got more creative.

The COVID-19 pandemic meant 2020 was not on p ­ersons with disabilities, how to clean With the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA),
the year the Para sports medical community assistive devices, all the return to sport guide- the IPC collaborated to develop and launch a
anticipated. This threat on a global scale was lines from the different IFs, hygiene and con- new education course on WADA’s Anti-Doping
something few of us had experienced. There trol guidelines for classification, and tools for Education and Learning (ADEL) platform.
have, however, been many heartening things planning sport events.
The new course, entitled ‘ADEL for Tokyo 2020
to come out of this crisis, and in sport one of
One of the most important tasks was done Paralympics’, was designed for athletes and
them is the way it has solidified a new way of
by Committee member Nick Webborn, who coaches aiming to attend the Tokyo 2020
collaboration and working.
collated feedback from the NPC m
­ ­edical Paralympic Games to ensure they could be
Back at the beginning of 2020, none of us were doctors about what would be ­happening on informed in advance about the anti-doping
thinking a disease may bring an abrupt halt to the road to Tokyo. We ended up having several program in place at the Games and how it
physical activity and the sports industry. We meetings with the NPC doctors to assure them will cater to the specific needs of Paralympic
had to re-think how science could be applied we were doing everything to ensure safety athletes.
into the sporting environment. was at its peak when we get to Tokyo. There
By taking the new course, athletes gain an
were a lot of ­ anxieties about the unknown
Science has been key in the following areas: understanding of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic
mitigation strategies – tracking and tracing,
Everything elements, so it was ­important provide a forum
Games anti-doping rules, procedures and
mask wearing, social distancing, sanitising we did in 2020 for the ­NPC­ physicians to voice their concerns
and know that they were being heard.
requirements – including how to check med-
and washing hands, etc – and evolving dif-
was building up to ications and apply for a Therapeutic Use
ferent testing protocols with the ability to get The progress by the end of 2020 was unpar- Exemption (TUE), how to provide whereabouts
a rapid result and respond effectively to that provide a safe and alleled in sports medicine. We learned what information, and explanations of the athletes’
­result in good time. secure Paralympic worked and what did not from different events rights and responsibilities during the testing
held around the world. People worked at light- process. For James Sclater, Anti-Doping director at the important that athletes take the time to
In Para sport, we were also proactive. Five Games.” ning pace to identify problems and deliver IPC, the course ensures athletes and coaches understand the rules. We don’t want any-
members of the IPC Medical Committee formed The course allows athletes, coaches, guides
Professor Wayne Derman solutions. are armed with the right knowledge ahead of one’s Games experience and years of training
a COVID task team, led by the chair of the IPC and pilots (for visually impaired athletes) to
IPC Medical Committee member the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. going to waste because of an unintentional
Medical Committee Dr Jamie Kissick. We were It has been a fantastic and highly e
­ ncouraging identify key information, such as important
anti-doping violation that could have been
in regular meetings to ensure we were giv- collaboration. We have had people from all dates they need to be aware of and which “Athletes and coaches should be viewing
avoided. Likewise, for coaching and support
ing athletes, NPCs and Federations the most different backgrounds putting their heads organisation has jurisdiction over them during anti-doping as an integral part of their Tokyo
personnel, if they use the course to get even the
up-to-date data across the different work together to come up with something that is in the Games. 2020 training regime,” he said. ”It’s vitally
In June, they launched an online risk assess- most basic understanding of the anti-doping
streams we were responsible for. the interest of sport, athletes and the
ment and mitigation tool for endurance event rules, then they will be in a stronger position
community. Most importantly, everything we
Manos Bogdos, another Committee member, ­organisers. to support their athletes in Tokyo.”
did in 2020 was building up to provide a safe
was speaking to the IPC Athletes’ Council and
In August, we built on that guidance when and secure Paralympic Games. The multilingual course was adapted to ensure
bringing to us any concerns the athletes had.
Judith van der Veen, the IPC’s Medical
­­ It is important for the Para athlete visually impaired athletes could make their
I was representing the IPC on the IOC plan- Manager, ­
­ developed a COVID-19 knowledge community to better understand its rights and way through the course with their screen
ning committee. I also represented the IPC hub for a return to sport. This rich web readers.
Outbreak Prevention Taskforce, formed by
­ ­resource detailed everything members needed
obligations on anti-doping.”
World Athletics and which had the medical to know regarding COVID, and included sec- James Sclater Anti-Doping director, IPC
chairs from five global sports federations. tions on mental health, the impact of COVID

20 21
ATHLETES’ COUNCIL IS “LET’S CELEBRATE THE
FIT FOR THE FUTURE ROLE MODELS WHO MAKE
Outgoing IPC Athletes’ Council chairperson Chelsey
Gotell reflects with pride on the advances of the last
AN IMPACT”
five years and addressing the challenges of 2020. 2020 was quite the year for Paulina Malinowska-Kowalczyk, who went from IPC
DID YOU KNOW? Women in Sport Committee award winner in March to being appointed as Secretary
WHAT PROGRESS HAS THE ATHLETES’ HOW DID THE ATHLETES’ COUNCIL
There has been a 200 per cent General of NPC Poland in October. Here, Paulina explains why she is determined to
COUNCIL MADE SINCE RIO 2016? SUPPORT ATHLETES THROUGH THE
increase in the number of athlete
The thing I’m most proud of is creating the first CHALLENGES OF 2020?
councils and representatives
celebrate the role models of the Paralympic Movement.
Athletes’ Council Strategy. It’s a very proactive Some of the Council’s initiatives had to tem-
since Rio 2016.
step for the Council. The strategy’s content porarily be put on hold, so we were able to It’s very important to celebrate women as role
was developed in conjunction with athletes’ focus much more on providing input into the models, because women are sometimes in the
reps from around the world, taking feedback operational side of things. For example, we shadows too much. We often don’t believe we
on where they felt we should be focusing our provided detailed feedback into the Tokyo can do so much, so when you get such an award
attention and building initiatives to support classification process and Games-specific like this it is a motivation to continue to work
the athlete community. athlete relateditems. hard and do more.
BEYOND THE ATHLETES’ COUNCIL
Because of the strategy, we now have a more But above all, we were able to stop, listen All of us with a disability have been on a long
STRATEGY, WHAT ARE YOU MOST
proactive approach and stronger accounta- and understand what our athletes want and journey. I lost my left arm to bone cancer aged 11
PROUD OF?
bility both to the athlete community and the need. Uniting them around the world has been and when it happened I felt ashamed because
We’ve gone from 30 athlete councils or repre-
IPC. We can see what our objectives are and a really big thing. The pandemic has shown people stared at me. But I learned to go about
sentatives to more than 90. That’s a big jump,
where our responsibilities lie. It’s created a the resiliency of Paralympic athletes, and the my life without my arm and sport played a big
but we’ve got 200 members – so there’s still
night-and-day difference in how we function. Council has helped promote breaking down of role in giving me confidence.
plenty of progress to make.
It’s formalised the Council’s positioning within stigma within nations to help ensure people
I don’t think disability is perceived the way it was
the Paralympic Movement and the IPC. And it’s with disabilities get the care they need. Implementing the IPC Athletes’ Forums has
when I was a child, but when one in two persons
made us much more effective. also been a huge step forward. Bringing the
with disability are out of the employment market,
community together for three or four days in
it’s clear there is still much to do. There are more
an educational setting has helped set a strong
people with disabilities in public life, but it’s
foundation for athlete representation within
in­cumbent on us to celebrate those who make
our movement. When an athlete rep comes to
an impact and in my role at NPC Poland I aim to
you to say the forum has been life-changing
The Polish NPC’s Guttmanny 2020 ceremony celebrated Secretary General Paulina Malinowska-Kowalczyk (left) and wheelchair do exactly that.
for them in helping them evolve as a leader, it fencer Kinga Drozdz (right).
I’d like every makes everything worthwhile.
As I am not an athlete, I have never thought in their International Women’s Day Recognition
athlete in the TEN YEARS FROM NOW, WHERE about winning any prizes by working with the awards, I was very happy – it meant the beliefs
world to have a WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE Paralympic Movement. I simply love the work I and values I worked to all these years were right. It’s very important
mechanism to ATHLETES’ COUNCIL? do. I have always believed that Paralympic sport
In March, when I won the award, I said it to celebrate women
I’d like to see the Council create a global net- has its mark and identity.
have a voice in the work of athlete reps from every IPC member.
would motivate me to continue promoting the
as role models,
The first time I covered Para sport as a journalist Paralympic Movement. I didn’t think I would
Movement.” And all those reps would have seats on their
was at Athens 2004. Throughout my broadcast- end up Secretary General of NPC Poland just because women are
boards, giving an effective athlete voice into
Chelsey Gotell their organisation. I’d also like to see the
ing career, I always tried to show disability was
only a state of mind. I’ve had the opportunity to
over six months later, but I’m thrilled to have
this position.
sometimes in the
Chairperson, Athletes’ Council Athletes’ Council elevated to a level where
it is seen as a strong advocate for change
meet many people who were absolutely unbe-
Given that one of the key objectives of the
shadows too much.”
lievable. Their passion and ability to overcome
and decision making on behalf of the athlete Women in Sport Committee is to encourage more Paulina Malinowska-Kowalczyk
plenty of everyday difficulties made me respect
community. I’d like every athlete in the world women into leadership positions in Paralympic Secretary General, NPC Poland
them even more.
to have a mechanism to have a voice in the sport, I’m proof that effort is working. I am also
The IPC Athletes’ Council chairperson Chelsey Gotell. Movement. When the IPC’s Women in Sport Committee got more determined than ever to do more to help
in touch to say that I’d won the Builder category women in the Movement.

22 23
MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMMES – INITIATIVE CASE STUDY –
NPC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
THE NEW NAME FOR MEMBER Since 2017, the IPC has been implementing
the National Paralympic Committee Develop-
required to produce top quality Para athletes.
Courses are delivered by IFs to focus on train-

DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES ment Programme (NPCDP). Supported by the ing and educating individuals from devel-
IPC’s worldwide partnership with Toyota, the oping countries to serve NPCs and National
overall goal of this programme is to increase Federations. By bringing
the knowledge, skills and opportunities for the delivery
NPCs to develop Para athletes and Para sport.
To further boost the development activities
NPC management staff and volunteers, IFs, ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT of Para sport
provided to its members, in July 2020 the IPC
brought back in-house the delivery of devel- THE KEY MEMBERSHIP Para athletes, coaches, technical officials and
managers are the main target groups.
The Athlete Support Programme ensures clas-
sification and competition opportunities for
development
opment programmes previously undertaken by
the Agitos Foundation. It was given the new
PROGRAMMES INITIATIVES Implementation of the NPCDP has been divided
Para athletes and for nations to qualify and programmes
title of Membership Programmes. Membership Programmes delivers numer- practical support throughout an athlete’s into two distinct phases: phase one, covering
prepare athletes for Paralympic Games. This back in-house
programme hosts training camps and provides
Launched by the IPC at the London 2012
ous programmes which are either adminis- career. The aim of the programme is to the period 2017 to 2020, was designed to
competition grants to increase opportunities we aim to
tered and delivered directly by Membership maximise an athlete’s talent and to develop apply the expected outcomes stated above to
Paralympic Games, the Agitos Foundation
Programmes staff, in conjunction with part- committed ambassadors capable of inspir- support NPCs to compete in the Tokyo 2020
for Para athletes from green and blue tier increase greater
has acted as the IPC’s development arm. It NPCs to develop their full potential and com-
has ensured the IPC is the leading global
ners, or enabled via grants to IPC mem- ing young people. Paralympic Games. The programme is struc-
pete at the highest level. co-operation
bers, so they can build resource and deliver tured around four key areas:
organisation at developing sport activities for
development activity locally. These include: Augmenting this is the Equipment Support and efficiencies
people with disabilities as a tool for changing
lives and contributing to an inclusive society
ROAD TO THE GAMES Programme. Aiming to close the gaps in Para with other IPC
GRANT SUPPORT PROGRAMME These are multi-year programmes that ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT sport participation across the Paralympic
for all.
An annual pool of funding that IPC mem- aim to develop additional organisational The Organisational Capacity Programme Movement in terms of gender, Para sport, functional units.
Over the last eight years, it has invested ber organisations can apply for to deliver capacity in countries and sub-regions strengthens NPCs as active and transparent impairment and by region, it provides equip- It helps us provide
millions of euros into Para sport develop-
­ projects that develop athletes, raise aware- where a Paralympic Games or major event entities that develop Para sport and promote ment to Para athletes.
ment projects on a global or sub-regional ness about the Paralympic Movement, or is due to be held. Programmes normally the Paralympic Movement’s vision for a more a better range of
basis and delivered a range of programmes develop Para sport. feature a partnership with the Organising inclusive world. The OCP is delivered through joined-up services
aimed at strengthening the Paralympic Move- Committee of each Games as part of their training workshops implemented on a regional DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT GRANT
ment at all levels. It has developed Para sport legacy commitments. basis, followed by mentoring support for a Enhancing the capacity of blue tier NPCs in to the IPC’s 200+
opportunities for hundreds of thousands of
­ NPC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME two-year action plan implementation period. three defined programme areas related to members.”
Para athletes, coaches, officials and adminis- The NPC Development Programme powered governance and planning, marketing and
trators around the world. by Toyota aims to build capacity within EN SUS MARCAS, LISTO S … communications, and athlete development. Mike Peters IPC CEO
NPCs. The programme will run until 2024 INCLUSIÓN SPORT TECHNICAL TRAINING Supporting blue tier NPCs by receiving direct
Membership Programme initiatives have three
and will reach over 140 countries. A partnership with the Inter-American Sport Technical Courses increase the quality monetary benefit through a non-competitive
key areas of intervention:
Development Bank En sus marcas, listos and quantity of sport technical personnel annual grant.
• SPORT DEVELOPMENT … inclusión is designed to strengthen the
Develop the sport capacity of members I’MPOSSIBLE Para sport infrastructure in Latin America.
to identify, retain and develop their The Paralympic Movement aspires to Since 2017, 26 vulnerable communities in
athletes and increase representation in change perceptions and bring about social Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua,
the Paralympic Movement. inclusion through Para sport experiences, Peru, Argentina, Chile and the Dominican
• ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT including the accomplishments, stories Republic have had the opportunity to par-
Enhance organisational capacity and experiences of Para athletes. Aimed ticipate in adaptive sports.
of members to become strong at young children in schools, I’mPOSSIBLE
and transparent drivers of the provides a toolkit of resources for teachers
Paralympic Movement. to share Paralympic values and inclusion PARA SPORT AGAINST STIGMA
• AWARENESS RAISING through Para sport to the next generation. Focused on activities in Ghana, Malawi
Transform society’s perception of and Zambia, this initiative is tackling
people with disabilities through discrimination and stigma to increase
inclusive education programmes and PROUD PARALYMPIAN assistive technology adoption. It has a
athlete ambassadors. Athletes are at the heart of everything four-pillar approach of education, athlete
the IPC does. Proud Paralympian provides development, Paralympic broadcast and
education about Paralympic values and cross-cutting research.

Initiatives like I’mPOSSIBLE in Malawi (left) and En sus marcas, listos... inclusión in Colombia (right) are changing perceptions and increasing participation in Para sport.

24 25
 2
FURTHERING
THE REACH OF
THE PARALYMPIC
GAMES

The Paralympic Games showcase the

outstanding capabilities of persons
with disabilities, stimulate the creation
of truly inclusive societies that have
accessible environments, promote
safe and fair participation, and inspire
physical activity by all.

Sae Tsuji prepares to compete in the Women’s

400m T47 final during the Para athletics
test event at the National Stadium in Tokyo,
Japan. Because of travel restrictions, this was
limited to Japanese athletes only.

27
TOKYO 2020 -
same objective to deliver the best and most
innovative Games ever.

This cross-cultural collaboration has, I believe,

THE MOST IMPORTANT been a beneficial exercise as it has enabled

Japan to realise the importance of diversity
and inclusion for Japan’s future society

GAMES IN HISTORY through the Paralympic Games.

4) DEDICATION OF THE IPC TEAM

The IPC team’s involvement in the Tokyo 2020
At the beginning of 2020, Tokyo 2020 was the best prepared Games in history. Games has had an incredible impact, help-

Then the unprecedented pandemic happened, leading to the postponement of ing not only to create a successful Games,
but also changing the mindset of Japanese
the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time ever. Yasushi Yamawaki, stakeholders and Japanese people.

IPC Governing Board member and Tokyo 2020 Vice President, explains five key Everyone at the IPC, the Governing Board team

elements that got the Games back on track. led by President Parsons, the executive team,
and staff, are always friendly and sincere,
tireless and professional in their extra efforts
1) RESILIANCE TO OVERCOME 2) ADAPTING TO A NEW NORMAL 3) CROSS-CULTURAL COLLABORATION to help Tokyo 2020 stakeholders appreciate
THE SETBACK Reassembling the Games has without doubt I have never known partnership like this. what the Paralympics mean to them and make
When the decision to postpone the Tokyo been a huge challenge. There were no manuals Delivering the Tokyo 2020 Games is a gigan- the Paralympic Games a success.
2020 Games was made on 24 March 2020, and precedents for the postponement of the tic national and international project, more
The whole IPC team has surely planted the
Tokyo 2020 and its stakeholders were shocked Games’ delivery. complex than many other projects Japan has
seeds for creating an inclusive society in
to their core. We felt as if we had spent seven experienced. The key to the successful delivery Starting over: the countdown clock for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is reset with new dates for the Games confirmed.
Tokyo 2020, the IOC, and IPC have concen- Japan.
years putting together the biggest and most of the Games has been close collaboration as
trated on reviewing the whole Games process
complex jigsaw puzzle ever and, with just a one team between the Organising Committee,
and tried to simplify, streamline, and opti-
few pieces left to go, we were told to start over the government, the Tokyo Metropolitan 5) COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM Through eight years’ preparation for the deliv- The one-year postponement of the Games
mise critical elements of the Games’ delivery.
again. Government, the IOC, IPC, and the sponsors. SOCIETY ery, the Paralympic Games will bring tremen- and the measures taken against COVID-19 will
While cost savings were made, the IPC worked
The Tokyo 2020 Games are becoming the most dous benefits and leave legacies which will make Tokyo 2020 a completely new Games,
But Japan is a resilient nation. We have a long hard to ensure the most important Paralympic This collaboration also required cross-cultural
important Games in the history of both the create social innovation and transformation very different from previous Games, but the
history of overcoming major natural disasters elements – accessibility and mobility across all interaction, and it took some time at the begin-
Paralympic Movement and Japan. to Japanese society. most important Games for athletes who have
and building back better and stronger, so we venues, transportation, and accommodation – ning for the key stakeholders to understand
overcome difficulties to show their resilience
were able to make a quick decision to start remained intact. each other’s cultures and traditions, ways of The Japanese Prime Minister has said the suc- In particular, I’mPOSSIBLE, the Paralympic edu-
and positive messages to the world. They will
over again. working and communicating, differences in cess of the Paralympic Games has become cation programme Japanese edition, has been
Creating and implementing COVID-19 counter- go down in history for the right reasons.
decision-making processes, and the Japanese integral to the success of the Games as a distributed to 36,000 primary and secondary
One week after the postponement, the new measures also became an unprecedented and
bureaucracy and system. whole, and the IPC has become an essential schools across Japan and the children who
dates of the Tokyo 2020 Games for the summer difficult task, but a vitally important one. All
partner for the IOC in the successful delivery of learn from this unique programme will become
of 2021 were announced. Having the same stakeholders have worked together and made Eventually, they have been able to understand
the Olympic and Paralympic Games. future leaders in creating an inclusive society.
scheduled dates at the same venues enabled a tremendous effort to deliver a safe and the differences and strengths in each other,
us to use most of what we had prepared since secure Tokyo 2020 Games for both athletes create a concept and vision for the Tokyo
2013. and the Japanese people. 2020 Games, and work together toward the

DID YOU KNOW?

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic podiums were created The hard work, dedication and
using donated recycled household plastic waste
with Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner
expertise of the whole IPC team has
Procter & Gamble. In addition, aluminium waste surely planted the seeds for creating
recycled from temporary housing provided in the
regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
an inclusive society in Japan.”
was used to create the Agitos Paralympic symbol Yasushi Yamawaki Tokyo 2020 Vice President
embedded in the podiums.

New beginnings: the Japanese version of the I’mPOSSIBLE educational toolkit.

28 29
GROWING AND MAKING TOKYO 2020 FREE-TO-AIR ON
TELEVISION FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
DEVELOPING THE GAMES Broadcast is key in growing the global audi- TV Media Sport (TVMS) is working on behalf
ence for the Paralympics, which is why the IPC of the IPC to secure Sub-Saharan and free-to-

One of the IPC’s strategic goals is to “further the global reach, impact, legacy and providing free-to-air television coverage of the
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Sub-Saharan
air broadcasters in over 30 countries, with an
estimated reach of over 200 million people.
value of the Games”. Two initiatives developed in 2020 aim to deliver exactly that. Africa is a ground-breaking move in its efforts The IPC will waive the broadcast rights fee for
to raise awareness of Para sport and its Tokyo 2020 in order to maximise coverage in a
athletes in the region. region that has traditionally aired only limited

CREATING THE BLUEPRINT FOR

30
coverage of the Games.
This broadcast initiative is a key element

INCLUSION AT FUTURE GAMES of the Para Sport Against Stigma project The IPC hopes this initiative will be a catalyst
between the IPC, Loughborough University, for commercial partners becoming involved
and the University of Malawi, Chancellor in broadcasting Paris 2024 to Sub-Saharan
territories in
The vision of the IPC is to “make for an inclusive The publication details a combination of The document was put together following College; which aims to support social change Africa.
world through Para sport”. Through a process supporting information, guidelines, recom- a productive Accessibility Workshop held in and overcome stigma and discrimination Sub-Saharan Africa
Vicki Austin, CEO of the Global Disability Inno-
of continuous organisational improvement, the mendations, construction building codes and Bonn, Germany, home of the IPC. With the sup- against persons with disabilities in Africa. with an estimated reach
vation Hub, which leads the AT2030 project,
IPC strives to create an inclusive and equitable previous Games examples to help OCOGs and port of the German Federal Ministry of the Inte- Para Sport Against Stigma is part of AT2030,
said: “As head of Paralympic legacy in London, of over 200 million people
environment in which all persons and groups their partners deliver an inclusive sporting rior, Building and Community, the workshop a programme funded by UK Aid and led by the
I saw first-hand what a massive difference will have free-to-air access
are respected, welcomed and supported. event. allowed the IPC to refine and validate Guide Global Disability Innovation Hub.
content with a wide range of stakeholders.
London 2012 made to perceptions of disability. of the Tokyo 2020
As the owner of one of the biggest sporting Furthermore, the document has been created For the first time across the region, the It is why we set up GDI Hub. And with more
Paralympic Games.
events in the world, the IPC recognises its with a wider audience in mind to assist simi- Representatives from the IOC, future Organis- Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be than a billion people in the world needing
responsibility to create a platform not only lar organisers and hosts across the globe in ing Committees – Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and free-to-air and broadcast live on 24 August access to basic assistive techno­logy (AT) – and
for sporting excellence, but to also promote creating a more accessible and inclusive envi- LA28 – industry experts and commercial part- and 5 September 2021. There will also be only 10 per cent currently using AT – our amaz-
the creation of truly inclusive societies with ronment. The Guide features details on a wide ners attended and provided feedback that a 52-minute daily Games highlight show of ing Para athletes can do so much to overcome
fully-accessible environments and to embrace range of areas including accommodation, was integrated into the document that is the African centred content in English, French and the stigma and promote a positive association
the capabilities of persons with disabilities. transportation, venue layout, access to infor- blueprint for inclusion in future Games. Portuguese. for the first time for many young women and
mation and services, along with best practices men with disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The IPC’s strategy goes beyond Games’-­related
for disability and awareness training. This project will change lives.”
infrastructure and seeks to encourage positive
cultural change. This is in line with our aim to
“grow the recognition of the Games’ impact
among the global disability rights movement
and governments.”
The media visibility
The principles, solutions, and practices used
to make the host city and all Games-related
of Para sport is so
infrastructure and services accessible will important in helping
create a culture of inclusion, in a just and
equitable manner, which will then influence
change attitudes toward
and change in the long term the way public disability and a providing
facilities and services are designed, operated,
and delivered.
powerful platform for
In October 2020, the IPC published its Accessi-
raising awareness
bility Guide to support the staging of Olympic around disability rights,
and Paralympic Games, as well as other events
to promote inclusion.
access, and inclusion.”
Dr Emma Pullen Lecturer in sport
The Guide, which is available on the IPC’s web-
management, Loughborough University
site, is designed to assist Organising Commit-
tees (OCOG) and host city authorities in the
successful planning and delivery of the Games.

30 31
 BUILDING THE REACH,
IMPACT AND LEGACY OF
DID YOU KNOW?
The sharp contrast

BEIJING 2022
between the red background
and white strokes highlights
the grace and dynamism of
winter sports, and adds a
festive vibe to the Games,
Three exciting initiatives kept the momentum surging forward ahead of which will echo the Chinese
Lunar New Year in 2022
the next Paralympic Winter Games in China.

PARALYMPIC PICTOGRAMS ARE VENUES PASS THE ADAPTED TEST

PICTURES OF SUCCESS All sporting events around the world needed
Chinese seal engraving was the inspiration to adjust in 2020, even a Games two years
behind the six pictograms unveiled for the away. Testing of sports events is an important
Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. part of Games preparations, but in the middle
of a pandemic there has been the need to be
The pictograms, which were revealed at a
flexible to change.
televised countdown party on New Year’s Eve
2020, identify the six sport disciplines from An adapted sports testing programme has
five sports that make up the Beijing 2022 sport ensured the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter
programme. Games continued its preparations, overcoming
the complexity of ongoing travel restrictions
Each of the pictograms uses similar design
implemented to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
traits to those associated with knife carvings
dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties. The IPC agreed the programme with the
Beijing 2022 Organising Committee, Winter
“The release of the sports pictograms marks
Olympic International Federations (IFs), and
the progress in our preparations for the Beijing
the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It
2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
replaced a series of international test events
in a visually strong fashion,” said Gao Tian,
originally planned for the first quarter of 2021.
deputy director of the Culture and Ceremonies
Department of Beijing 2022. The tailored programme is based on the needs
of each individual IF and aims to reduce the
“It’s another example of presenting time-­
complexity of the 2021 season for all involved,
honoured Chinese art in a modern way and
including the athletes.
integrating the quintessence of Chinese culture
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION IPC President Andrew Parsons commented:
into sports presentation on the Olympic and Adapted sports testing is fully aligned with
Thousands of Chinese schoolchildren are “I’mPOSSIBLE is an educational programme
It is the legacy of being introduced to Paralympic values ahead that aims to bring Paralympic values, the
Paralympic stage.” the spirit of Olympic Agenda 2020 and its
‘New Norm.’ It was successfully applied for
changing perceptions of Beijing 2022 thanks to the IPC’s global history of Paralympics, and information about The pictograms will be used in signposting,
Tokyo 2020 and its test events.
education programme I’mPOSSIBLE. persons with a disability through Paralympic advertising, communications, broadcasting
and changing attitudes, sport to kids at school age. This is a funda- and souvenir design. The IPC liaised with Beijing 2022 and each IF
A localised version has been created by
and I’mPOSSIBLE is an Beijing 2022 with support from the Ministry
mental part of the legacy of any Games.
Lin Cunzhen, art director of the Culture and
to determine the details of the adapted test-
ing programme.
important part of that of Education and the China Disabled Persons’ “China is one of the most influential countries Ceremonies Department of Beijing 2022, said:
Federation. in the world, and Beijing 2022 has the ambition “We designed these pictograms based on The IPC is pleased that, despite the challenges
strategy.” to bring more people into ice and snow sports, two principles – to stay consistent with the created by the pandemic, the venue testing
The programme includes easy-to-use lesson
Andrew Parsons IPC President so why not people with disabilities practising Games’ entire visual appearance and to echo programme will ensure Beijing 2022 is held to
ideas for children aged 6-18, broadening their
ice and snow sports as well? the design used at the 2008 Summer Games the highest possible standards in the safest
knowledge and experience of the Paralympic
to highlight Beijing’s unique status as the and most secure environment.
Movement, Para sports, Para athletes and the “That is a very important part of the legacy of
world’s only city so far to host both Summer
Paralympic vision. the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. It is the
and Winter Games.”
legacy of changing perceptions and changing
attitudes, and I’mPOSSIBLE is an important
part of that strategy.”

32 33
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL MILANO CORTINA 2026
BREAKS NEW GROUND
OF THE PARALYMPIC GAMES Para alpine skiing, Para ice hockey, Para
Nordic skiing, Para snowboard and wheelchair

It’s the Paralympic Movement’s most important decade yet, and the IPC is curling have all been approved by the IPC
Governing Board for inclusion at the Milano
fully capitalising on the positive impact of the Games in the host territories Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

in the areas of urban, economical, sport and social development. Eighteen medal events, including a new mixed
doubles wheelchair curling event, have also
been provisionally approved. These early

PARIS 2024 GETTING STRONGER decisions are intended to give NPCs

and IFs appropriate time to plan

AND MORE INCLUSIVE and prepare.

Chelsey Gotell, IPC Ath-

Preparations continued at pace for the have confirmed venues, while boccia’s move to To mark International Day of Persons with letes’ Council chair­ DID YOU KNOW?
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, particularly South Paris Arena 1 will create a cluster with Disabilities (3 December), Paris 2024 launched person, said: “With Mixed doubles wheelchair curling
so in December 2020 when a venue master- table tennis. an initiative to add Paralympic sports to more than five years will make its debut at Milano
plan, an infrastructure inclusivity project, a the emoji dictionary. For many years now, to go until the Games, Cortina 2026, underlining the
In the same month, Paris revealed its plans
ground-breaking media rights partnership, emojis have become ever-more conscious of athletes, national and importance to the IPC of providing
to create 15 accessible pilot districts around
and an exciting initiative to add Paralympic diversity. From a full spectrum of skin and hair international federa- equal opportunities for male and
Olympic and Paralympic sites – enhancing
sports emojis were all announced. colour to people with disabilities, these small tions, as well as NPCs, female athletes.
access to public spaces, hotels, services, shops
emoticons – now an integral part of how we have a target to aim for
In December, the IPC Governing Board and sport services. Parisians with disabilities
communicate day-to-day – increasingly reflect in terms of developing the
approved a new, optimised venue master- will also benefit from improved mobility and
modern society. talent pool.”
plan for Paris 2024. The decision followed six daily transportation across the city.
months of stakeholder engagement by the However, there is one fight still to face – the
Both of those announcements were fol-
Organising Committee and will see Para judo representation of diversity in sport. Paris 2024
lowed less than a month later by news of an
(Champ de Mars Arena), Para taekwondo strongly believes that sport is an exceptional
ambitious four-year European media rights

LOS ANGELES 2028

(Grand Palais) and Para table tennis (South driver of inclusion, self-acceptance and
agreement to unlock the full potential of the
Paris Arena 4) all take place at the same recognition of difference. Sport is not only for
Paralympic Games.

CREATES A UNIQUE IDENTITY

venues as their Olympic equivalent sport. people of any particular physique; some of the
The IPC awarded the agreement, which covers world’s greatest champions live with
Para swimming (La Défense Arena), Para
51 European territories, to Infront, a Wanda disabilities.
powerlifting (La Chapelle Arena) and wheel-
Sports Group Company. Both Beijing 2022 and The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic showcase our community’s collec- Creator Paralympian Scout
chair rugby (Champs de Mars Arena) also
Paris 2024 are included in the deal. Games emblem was unveiled in tive creativity and celebrate the Bassett, who competes for the
September at a launch bringing diversity that makes us strong.” United States in T63 long jump
together sport, art and the entire and 100m. “If you have the
The mark features a strong
Los Angeles community. courage and perseverance to
Emojis reflect society and bold L, 2 and 8, while an
work for your dreams, all things
LA28 chairperson Casey Wasser­ ever-changing A expresses the
and have become a universal man said: “Every neighbourhood, dynamism of the city and the
are possible. The Paralympic
Movement is growing in this
language used by millions of every block, every person has event.
country and we can use sport as
their own unique identity and
people. Just like sport pictograms, story of LA. The LA28 Games will
“LA is a place of infinite possibili- a vehicle to change a lot of per-
ties, infinite potential,” said LA ceptions and lives.”
Para sport emojis will be a stamp
of recognition and inclusion
that has a much bigger impact
If you have the courage and perseverance to work for your dreams,
than you might think!”
all things are possible.” Scout Bassett, Para athlete, USA
Marie-Amélie Le Fur President of the
French Paralympic and Sports Committee

34 35
“MY PARALYMPIC GAMES
DREAM IS POSSIBLE THANKS
TO IPC MEMBERSHIP My name is Alejandra Aybar, and I am from Because of the IPCs support, today I receive

PROGRAMMES”
the Dominican Republic, a small island in the a payment from the Dominican Government, I
Caribbean with 10 million people. am fully dedicated to my preparations for the
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and my goal is
I was born with a genetic condition called
to compete in the final.
osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle
One of the four key elements of the NPC Devel- camps and provide competition grants that swimmer ever from the Dominican Republic to bone disease. During my childhood I suffered Since then, I have also become an activist and
opment Programme is athlete development. increase opportunities for Para athletes from win a medal at a major championship. She has multiple fractures to my legs and hips, endured started talking about inclusion for persons
The Athlete Support Programme helps ensure green and blue tier NPCs to develop their full also fast become an inclusion advocate in her extreme pain and had countless surgeries with with disabilities in schools. Para athletes used
classification and competition opportunities potential and compete at the highest level. country. Here, she writes a personal essay to long recovery periods. I could not understand to live behind the scenes, and I’m trying to
for Para athletes and nations to qualify and the IPC and her dreams of Tokyo 2020. how God made me this way. I hated the way I change that. I am now the most famous Para
One of those athletes is Para swimmer
prepare athletes for the Paralympic Games. looked and thought many times I was ugly. I athlete in the Dominican Republic – not only
Alejandra Aybar. Thanks to IPC support, she
wanted to hide from everyone. for my medal in Lima, but also for my fight
The IPC Membership Programmes team works has competed in two World Para Swimming
against discrimination. I want acceptance and
with International Federations to host training Championships and in 2019 became the first I started swimming in 2015 after I damaged
inclusion for people with disabilities in society
my right knee and my doctor recommended it.
and sport.
I was 26 and I had never learned to swim. A DID YOU KNOW?
visit to a pool in the capital Santo Domingo, Alejandra studied industrial I know it’s having an impact, because recently
where I had moved for college, changed my engineering. She was awarded I had a doctor contact me when a patient gave
life. It was incredible and I enjoyed the feeling outstanding graduate by the birth to a girl with osteogenesis imperfecta.
of the water. I asked myself, how have I lived Technology Institute of Santo She wanted me to give hope to the family
this long without knowing this heaven? I felt Domingo, and later got a job as through my life example.
alive in the water. a quality engineer for a medical
I want to say thank you to the IPC, because it’s
devices company.
In swimming I found passion and purpose, a dream to be able to compete in a Paralympic
but I must confess that being an athlete in a Games and the work you are doing makes that
small country is challenging and hard. When dream possible. I want to thank you for trying
I started competing in 2017, my NPC did not to make these Games the greatest in history.
have the resources to support me in inter- At the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games in
Para swimming has helped me to love myself.
national competitions and I had to raise the Peru I won a silver medal. When I finished the
I now love every part of my body and wearing
money to compete in a country where few race I did a video that the IPC produced. In it
swimsuits. I feel beautiful. I also have friends
people knew about Paralympic athletes. I was crying, because I was extremely happy
who love me just as I am.
to be the first person from my country ever to
And then the Agitos Foundation [now IPC
win a medal in swimming. Nobody Olympic or And I dream big now. I say let’s live beyond
Membership Programmes] came along. It
Paralympic had ever won a medal in swimming. our limits and allow ourselves to dream and
supported my participation in two World Para
achieve our dreams. Obstacles and challenges
Swimming championships, Mexico City 2017 The video had an amazing impact, it made me
will always be there, but as my coach says
and London 2019. That helped me to continue visible to my country. The Olympic President
before each race, ‘smile and enjoy it’, because
training and focus on my performance instead in our country saw it and said I should have
the result depends on how we face things that
of fundraising money to be able to compete. the same privilege that Olympic athletes had.
we cannot control.

IPC Membership Programmes have changed the lives of many athletes

around the world. Their support has given us hope and space to thrive.”
Alejandra Aybar Para swimmer, Dominican Republic

Alejandra Aybar and her coach Galvez Capriles at the World Para Swimming World Series in Indianapolis, USA.

36 37
 3
USING PARA SPORT
TO CREATE A
TRULY INCLUSIVE
SOCIETY

The Paralympic Movement must use

its global position and influence,
together with its events and activities,
to challenge the stigma attached
to disability, empower social
transformation, and make for a more
inclusive society for all.

Burundian refugee Parfait Hakizimana

trains at the Amahoro Stadium in Rwanda’s
capital, Kigali. He is a prospective member of
the Refugee Paralympic Team and hopes to
become the first Para athlete to go directly
from a refugee camp to compete at the
Games. Parfait teaches taekwondo to young
people in the Mahama Refugee Camp
in Rwanda.

38 39
HEAR OUR VOICE! MANASI JOSHI – SPREADING THE
LANGUAGE OF INCLUSION
Indian Para badminton player Manasi Joshi
became the first Para athlete recognised as
Representation
In 2020, three remarkable Para athletes challenged a Next Generation Leader by TIME magazine. matters. Many young
the stigma attached to disability. “I want to use the voice I’m getting through girls who look like me
sport to change the narratives and perspec-
tives of people. I want to be a participant
must be thinking ‘yes,
BIRGIT SKARSTEIN – PROVING SPORT IS corrupt, how the TV show could be so rigged, in policy making and policy change and do I can do this’.”
FOR EVERYONE how we could have so many sympathy votes, whatever is required.
Manasi Joshi
Nordic skiing and Para rowing athlete Birgit how I was cheating, how we should not be
“I feel more confident, more powerful and that Para badminton, India
Skarstein became the first wheelchair dancer there.
my opinion matters. After participating in tour-
on Norway’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ TV show.
naments, it gives you a very different kind of
The Nordic skiing and Para rowing athlete
perspective about sport, inclusion and diver- I get targeted by so many stereotypical
wanted to prove the trolls wrong.
sity. When you meet new people, when you ­c omments and attitudes almost every day.
“No matter how much we did, how many We proved interact with new people, that’s when I real-
“Representation matters. Many young girls
boundaries we broke or how many crazy,
­impossible things we managed to nail, there
that what matters ised I have a voice and it needs to be heard.
I should be speaking more and raising more
who look like me must be thinking ‘yes, I can

were always some people not believing in us is not the disability, awareness.
do this’. That’s because inspirations help
us transform the way we perceive our own
and saying I shouldn’t be there.
it is the ability, the person Claire Cashmore (right) and fellow British athlete Amy Marren (left) were some of the athletes with an upper limb impairment who spoke up about
“I want to spread the language of inclusion. ­c apabilities.
“Sometimes, it felt like it was us against the
world. It brought us into a mission that was
and the work we do.” ‘The Witches’. Whenever communication is happening, I want
inclusion happening too.
“My greatest inspiration has been my father,
who’s a retired nuclear scientist. I’ve never
bigger than us – the mission of communicating Birgit Skarstein, CLAIRE CASHMORE – CHALLENGING
“As a Para athlete, challenges are there. But
­­ as seen him idle. Even now, at 65, he’s enrolled
that dance is for everyone and we are a part Para rowing, Norway HOLLYWOOD’S MISCONCEPTIONS
a woman with a disability, the ­challenges are onto a university programme. He’s never
of this world just as much as you are. When a major children’s movie misrepresented
people with limb differences, British triathlete
There are children endless – both personal and societal. We have stopped working. I hope I can keep inspiring
“It’s all about seeing it as something more than
steps. Dancing is so much more. If you’re used
“That really disappointed me, because it Claire Cashmore fought back. out there with disabilities a long way to go in accepting disabled people
into the mainstream. ­
the upcoming generation with my achieve-
ments. I’ll keep on playing sport and speak-
to only seeing dance as steps in your legs, you
proved to me that for some people I will never
be good enough – not because of how I ­perform,
“In the book The Witches, Roald Dahl described … and they need to see ing up about the importance of inclusion
need to reprogramme your brain.
but because of who I am. (But) … every week
the witch’s hands as ‘cat-like claws’. But in the
film, it got changed to ectrodactyly, a limb
different representations and diversity on various forums.”

“When we did our first perfect dance and got

the perfect total score, some people went
that passed, more and more people stepped
up and supported us. We proved that what
difference disability. Taking something that of their differences.”
wasn’t real, and making a decision to change
­totally crazy and we got so much hate. I had matters is not the disability, it is the ability, the Claire Cashmore
it to a real-life disability, was what sparked me
so many nasty messages. Social media went person and the work we do.” Para triathlon, Great Britain
to get involved in the #NotAWitch campaign.
on fire discussing how the judges could be so
“Children will see the film and associate
somebody with ectrodactyly with being a
“We don’t have balance at the moment.
sinister, evil witch. The more I spoke to peo-
There are goodies and baddies on screen, but
ple, the more I realised they were upset about
it’s the baddies that have the disabilities. It’s
it. Who did Warner Brothers, the makers of
strengthening those age-old misconceptions,
the film, talk to about this? Are there people
rather than making it normal. I want there to
in the decision-making process that have a
be more representation in the media and to
disability? That’s where we need more rep-
normalise it as much as possible, so that when
resentation: behind the scenes among people
you do have a baddie with a limb difference it
who are making decisions.
won’t have such a negative impact.
“I’m hardened to these things. I grew up get-
“People have started to speak out a lot more
ting called names and now my skin is pretty
about things like this and are not scared to
thick. But there are children out there with
use their voice.”
disabilities, or teens going through really
self-conscious years, and they need to see
different representations of their differences.

Birgit Skarstein and dance partner Philip Raabe took Norway by storm with daring moves on TV show Skal Vi Danse.

Double delight for Manasi Joshi in 2020 as she made the cover of TIME and had a Barbie doll modelled in her likeness.

40 41
BREAKING DOWN STIGMA “WE’RE CREATING THE
THROUGH PARA SPORT WORLD’S MOST COURAGEOUS
Partnership is central to Para Sport Against Stigma, a new project that aims to
overcome discrimination against persons with disabilities in Africa.
SPORTS TEAM”
In October, the IPC announced its intention to create and support a Refugee
One of the IPC’s strategic goals is to forge
partnerships with governments, volunteer net-
The project hit the ground running at launch
with an I’mPOSSIBLE Educator Course.
Paralympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The team of up to six
works, non-governmental organisations I’mPOSSIBLE is the IPC’s global education
­ athletes will head to Japan with Ileana Rodriguez, a former refugee and a London
I really do
(NGOs) and research establishments with ­programme and includes a toolkit of resources
2012 Paralympian, as the team’s Chef de Mission. She explains the team is all
shared interests, to extend the impact of the for teachers to engage future generations in believe initiatives
Paralympic Movement’s work beyond sporting Para sports, and the history and values of the about empowering social transformation.
events. One such initiative was launched in Paralympic Movement. like Para Sport
November 2020 – Para Sport Against Stigma.
The week-long online course saw partic- Against Stigma We are grateful for the financial backing of
commercial partners such as Airbnb and Pana-
A GBP 1.89 million (EUR 2.1 million) ­collaborative ipants from Ghana, Malawi and Zambia can make a huge sonic. Worldwide Paralympic Partner Airbnb
project between the IPC, Loughborough become ­certified I’mPOSSIBLE Educators and
University, and the University of M
­ ­ alawi, allow them to deliver I’mPOSSIBLE training to difference and will became the lead partner for the RPT and has
supported several athletes to host Airbnb’s
Chancellor College is aiming to overcome ­t­eachers. have a positive Online Experiences. These allow athletes to
stigma and discrimination against persons
­
with disabilities in Africa. It is part of AT2030,
One of those who became certified was effect two, three, share their stories with the world while earn-
Samuel Nkhoma. Involved in a motorcycle ing a small honorarium.
a programme funded by UK Aid and led by the
accident in Malawi more than 10 years ago, four, five years
Global Disability Innovation Hub. Before Tokyo, my biggest role is to communi-
Nkhoma has since adapted to going about from now.” cate with the athletes and keep them engaged
Para Sport Against Stigma will investigate in his wheelchair. He imagines, however, that
Samuel Nkhoma in the process. We want them to feel like
the use of Para sport as a catalyst for chang- the challenges he had to overcome as an
I’mPOSSIBLE Educator, Malawi they’re a team and that they belong to a team,
ing attitudes about disability and assistive adult iare equally testing for youngsters with
which is so important for an athlete. 2020 has
technology (AT) in Ghana, Malawi, and Zam- a disability.
been especially challenging for refugee ath-
bia. The IPC is working with the NPCs of
Nkhoma wants to change that, starting in letes, but they are no stranger to toughness in
Ghana, Malawi, and Zambia to deliver edu-
schools. “When it comes to talking about their lives. They show the very best of human
cation ­programmes, athlete development and
education, it’s very difficult for kids with
­ f­acilities, the expertise of the teachers is just spirit and I believe we are creating the world’s
increase opportunities for Para sport to be
­
disabilities to go to school and get an
­ not up to speed,” he said. Former refugee Ileana Rodriguez competed for the USA at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Now she is the Chef de Mission most courageous sports team.
broadcast in Sub-Saharan Africa. for the Refugee Paralympic Team at Tokyo 2020.
education. And then the education itself – the
Nkhoma is seeing attitudes change and
believes initiatives like Para Sport Against
­ It is a huge honour to be appointed by the would likely be no Paralympic Games if it were
Stigma will play an important role. IPC for this role. As a former refugee who was not for a refugee.
lucky enough to compete in the Paralympics,
“Having something that is structured, The father of the Paralympic Movement is Sir
I appreciate the value of having a Refugee
something that is deliberate, to have the
­ Ludwig Guttmann, who was a refugee himself.
teachers on board and have them excited
Paralympic Team (RPT) – it represents sports
Guttmann, a Jewish doctor, fled Nazi Germany
DID YOU KNOW?
beyond nationalities and our athletes who will
about this is important. I’m looking forward to for Britain before the start of the Second World There are more than 82 million
compete in Tokyo will be a symbol of hope for
that because I really do believe initiatives like War. It is fitting that the IPC supports refugee displaced people around the world
other refugees around the world.
Para Sport Against Stigma can make a huge athletes, to honour their founder and his own who have been forced to flee war,
­difference and will have a positive effect two, The creation of the RPT is tied in with pledges history. persecution, and human ­
three, four, five years from now.” of commitment the IPC signed at the UNHCR rights ­abuses – ­
Our job ahead of the Games has been to find
Global Refugee Forum in December 2019. Then, 12 million of them live with ­
the athletes and support them on their jour-
the IPC promised to promote access to sport- a disability.
ney. There has been financial support for
ing facilities, organised sports, and equal par-
equipment, training, coaching, and additional
ticipation in sporting events for refugees.
needs, such as physiotherapy. The IPC has
Six participants from Ghana,
Malawi and Zambia took part in the There are many reasons why this is important supported all potential athletes to qualifica-
I’mPOSSIBLE Educator Course. to us, but there is one interesting one – there tion and classification opportunities.

42 43
THE VALUE OF MEET THE PANEL WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO
PARTNER WITH THE IPC?
VLADIMIR: This is a very important part-

COLLABORATION nership. I’m personally excited about it. On

one level, we are being introduced to a great
group of people. That quality will challenge

WITH DISABILITY us to be better, do more, think creatively and

think differently from the beginning. And on
another level, we can bring the voices of peo-

THOUGHT-LEADERS ple with disabilities beyond athletes. This

gives the bigger picture when you want to
make a change in the world. The IPC is giving
us exposure to this bigger scene, through its
Vladimir Cuk
Two ground-breaking cooperation agreements were confirmed in 2020, giving is executive director of the
connections and global exposure. It is giving
us a platform to channel our messages to the
the IPC valued partnerships with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) International Disability Alliance.
world. This is extremely valuable.

and The Valuable 500 as all three groups continue their work to transform the CAROLINE: Because there’s a mutual win.

lives of persons with disabilities. We’re now entering the era of collaboration
and the power of collectively working together.
­When we work with each other, we have more

We asked senior leaders from both the IDA and The Valuable 500 to explain chance scaling and accelerating change than
when we work separately. That’s the most
why collaboration with the IPC is so important in the ongoing battle for important thing, because our intentions are

inclusivity. the same: to fundamentally transform disabil-

ity inclusion. The IPC does it through sport. We
do it through business. Then there is the busi-
ness of sport and the sport of business. That’s
why we’re so well aligned. Many of the IPC’s
Caroline Casey
backers and sponsors are businesses. Many of
is the founder of
The Valuable 500 our companies look for sponsorship and brand
opportunities. It’s a symbiotic relationship
that can only gain from each other.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT
WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANISATION DO? ­isabilities and Sustainable Development
D FOR DISABILITY ORGANISATIONS
VLADIMIR: The IDA is the organisation of Goals. We hold governments accountable TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP?
persons with disabilities. We have eight global through the process of the Convention on VLADIMIR: This is one of the most important
and six regional organisations, through which the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) questions we can ask in the last 20 years. It
we bring together the voices of 1,110 national Committee. We work with humanitarian actors speaks to several points. Firstly, I think the
organisations from 182 countries. We work as well, to make sure action coming from var- message is still weak because discrimination
to bring this collective voice of one billion ious stakeholders is inclusive. And we work is too strong. Discrimination towards people
­people with disabilities to different stakehold- with the UN Security Council, too. with disabilities is overwhelming. There is a
ers – primarily in New York and Geneva. We need to connect to make the message stronger
CAROLINE: The Valuable 500 is the biggest
speak with UN member states, governments in the mainstream. Secondly, the nature of our
business movement for disability inclusion in
and international development stakeholders work is about inclusivity and celebrating diver-
the world. It is a global CEO collective work-
including donors and foundations. sity. If that’s the case, we can’t do that without
ing together to drive system change across
ourselves establishing partnerships. Finally,
We also work on the capacity building of six areas in business, so we can equally
the funding that’s available for ­disability work
organisations of persons with disabilities,
­ include people with disabilities and their
is very scarce. Establishing partnerships is a
primarily from the global south. We invest
­ families. We’re transforming disability inclu-
way to challenge this and explain to donors
in the capacities of organisations and peo- sion through the power of business, leadership
and foundations how things can be done.
ple to advocate for the implementation of and opportunity.
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with

44 45
 IPC DEEPENS RELATIONS
CAROLINE: I’ve always said the idea of IS NOW, MORE THAN EVER, THE RIGHT
The Valuable 500 is to be the Paralym- TIME TO CHAMPION FOR INCLUSION?
VLADIMIR: We have come together now,
The IPC is pics of business. I wanted to have the scale,

WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

enormity, heart and impact of the Paralympics. and that’s what’s most important. People
giving us exposure to this Traditionally, the disability community has not believe the world will be more attentive to the

bigger scene, through its worked in symphony. There has only been
a finite amount of resource and visibility,
rights of persons with disabilities because of
COVID. I believe people will be more attentive
connections and global and organisations feared losing their power to their personal needs, which will be abso-
The year 2020 was also used by the IPC to further develop and deepen
exposure. It is giving us a by working in collaboration. But in coming
together, we get more. The issue of disability
lutely in opposition to those that are margin-
alised. If our message is to build on the COVID relations with representatives of the European Union and to advance
platform to channel our has become more transcendent in our society. experience, we’re going to fail miserably. Our
important issues for the Paralympic Movement.
messages to the world.” We’re talking more. It’s more visible. And, in
turn, the sense of fear about losing power is
message is simply that we are here, and we
must include people with disabilities.
In February, IPC chief executive officer Parliament, European Commission, European
Vladimir Cuk, falling away. It’s so important that as disability
CAROLINE: It’s time for disability to show up Dr Mike Peters met with the Head of Cabinet Council or civil society. One of the main ­topics
Executive director groups we back each other’s agendas. Not
in all of humanity’s demographics, whether it’s of the E­uropean Commissioner responsible was the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021–2024,
International Disability Alliance doing so is divisive and it doesn’t serve our
the disabled woman, talking about disability for Sport, Ms. Adrienn Király, and the State adopted in December 2020, which sets out
community. The lack of collaboration in the
and gender, disability and LGBTQ, disability Secretary for Sport in North Rhine-Westphalia, the priorities for the EU’s work on sport in the
past has been a barrier to acceleration.
and race, or disability and socio-economic Ms. Andrea Milz, in Brussels to discuss Para coming years. In this, the IPC has also worked
backgrounds. Disability is the one club that sport in the European context and to pre­ with our host nation Germany, which had
will touch nearly all of us at some point in sent the work of the IPC in the EU. The IPC been holding the European Council Presidency
our life. It’s in every single part of our lived headquarters is ­ located in Bonn, in the ­during the second half of 2020.
experience. How has it taken so long for us west of Germany, in the state of North
IPC Board member Rita van Driel met with
to see that? Disability is a universal human Rhine-Westphalia. This puts it in the middle of
the Cabinet of Ms Helena Dalli, European
experience. What’s happened now is that the the EU, and as an organisation the IPC also
Commissioner for Equality, to discuss the
­
curtain has been drawn back. Inclusion means has an interest in being included in thematic
­European Strategy for the Rights of Persons
all for everyone, and everyone for all. If it’s not debates by political d­ ecision-makers.
with Disabilities 2021-2030, which was
that, then it’s nothing at all. It’s a delusion to
Although most of the meetings in 2020 ­published in early 2021. In this document, the
believe we can truly speak to inclusion with-
were not face-to-face, it was still possible European Union pledges to partner with the
out discussing disability and the fact there are
to bring the IPC into contact with European International Paralympic Committee to foster
barriers in our society that do not enable us
decision-makers through a series of online
­ inclusion in sport and combat stereotypes
to reach our potential. We can overcomplicate
sports conferences organised by the European during the next decade. The dialogue that has
this, but it is that simple.

been started is to be continued and expanded

Inclusion means at all levels in the coming years in order to fur-

all for everyone, and ther promote the topic of Para sport and its
social significance in the EU.
everyone for all. The IPC was able to become partner in an
If it’s not that, then it’s EU-funded project under the Horizon2020

nothing at all.” ­research and innovation programme. Through

this collaboration, we will host a PhD candi-
Caroline Casey, founder, date for three years who seeks to improve the
The Valuable 500 classification of functional vision.

The IPC has likewise actively contributed to the

16th Council of Europe Conference of ­Ministers
for Sport which has inter alia focused on the
topic ‘Human Rights in Sport’.

Egyptian Para powerlifter In all these discussions, the IPC is committed

Rehab Ahmed competes to ensuring that Para sport and people with
in the women’s up to 50kg
disabilities are considered in all political deci-
class at the Abuja 2020
World Para Powerlifting sions at EU level.
World Cup. Andrea Milz, (left), Adrienn Király (centre) and Mike Peters (right) met in Brussels to discuss Para sport.

46 47
 4
A CONTINUOUS
PURSUIT OF
EXCELLENCE

The IPC is determined to remain a

world-leading sports organisation that
delivers on its mission and is committed
to excellence in all areas.

Mexican Paralympic swimmer Rubi

Cristino trains at her father’s auto
repair shop in Mexico City, Mexico.
Cristino qualified for the Tokyo 2020
Paralympic Games, but for much of
2020 was unable to train in a pool
due to closures caused by COVID-19.

48 49
CONSULTATION AT
THE HEART OF THE
GOVERNANCE REVIEW This Governance Review is a check and test
of the IPC foundations to ensure they can support
the purpose of the IPC into the future.”
The IPC’s Governance Review proposal ‘Remaining Fit for Purpose’ was originally Duane Kale IPC Vice President
shared with stakeholders at the IPC Conference in Bonn, Germany in October
2019. Following its publication, the IPC’s Governance Review Working Group, led
by IPC Vice President Duane Kale, conducted 10 months of extensive stakeholder
consultation to gather feedback and update the proposals. Here, Duane explains
the progress made in 2020 and what’s next for the Governance Review that
aims to ensure the IPC remains a world-leading s­ ports organisation.
or adjustment, which were considered based As a result of both the feedback and the nec-
WHAT IS THE GOVERNANCE REVIEW
on the volume of feedback on a particular item essary adjustments due to the inability to hold
AND WHY IS THE IPC DOING IT?
or technical and practical considerations. an EGA, a revised proposal was developed.
Governance practices and principles are the
Although it maintained the core principles
foundation for any great organisation, but just A revised proposal was released in October
of the Governance Review, there were some
like foundations for a building they are below 2020, which outlined or described the changes
necessary adjustments required due to the
the surface, not overtly visible and should not ­and rationale for change. Further consultation
new constitution vote being included with the
interfere with what we do. But when founda- was again conducted for the opportunity to
Board election process. This, however, is not
tions get weak or crumble, your structure is discuss the changes and receive feedback.
overly concerning and these elements from the
in trouble. This Governance Review is a check
original proposal can be reconsidered in the
and test of the IPC foundations to ensure they WHAT CHANGES CAME ABOUT
future.
can support the purpose of the IPC into the BECAUSE OF THE CONSULTATION?
future. Based on feedback, we accelerated the
WHAT IS THE NEXT STAGE FOR THE
IPC World Para Sports’ independence and
The good news is we found the foundations GOVERNANCE REVIEW – WHAT IS
simplified the internal unit to manage the
­
to be in excellent condition and could focus PLANNED FOR 2021?
sport’s transition. The process and composi-
on how we strengthen them. This included
­ Following consultation and feedback on
tion of the Governing Board was adjusted, as
a r­eview of our purpose and then building the revised proposal, any adjustments will
well as General Assembly procedures.
the governance mechanisms to support our be made and communicated. It is not antici-
purpose, including regulations, policies and There were some other adjustments that pated that these would include any significant
transparent processes. The membership had included greater clarification on recognised
­ changes. This is based on having completed a
requested that the Board consider several IFs, member obligations, the role of regional first round of consultation where we received
specific areas of IPC governance, so it was a organisations and some more detail on the a good indication of what was liked and not
perfect time to conduct a complete review. ­integrity and disciplinary function. liked. Following communication of the adjust-
ments, the drafting of the new constitution will
HOW DID THE IPC CONSULT DID THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC IMPACT then commence along with some of the key
WITH ATHLETES, MEMBERS AND THE GOVERNANCE REVIEW? regulation documents.
STAKEHOLDERS DURING 2020? As with many things in the world, the
The first draft of the constitution will be made
The first quarter of 2020 was spent collecting Governance Review was also impacted. We
­
available to members in mid-2021 for com-
the feedback from the Original Proposal that had planned on having an Extraordinary
ment, prior to a final constitution being writ-
was released in October 2019. Feedback was General Assembly (EGA), scheduled for Decem-
ten and made available six weeks prior to
received from the member NPCs, IFs, Athletes’ ber 2020, for members to vote on what would
the December 2021 General Assembly (GA). At
Council, and other interested parties, such as have been the new constitution. We were
this GA, the membership will vote on adopting
the IPC sports technical committees and staff. required to rethink the implications and likeli­
the new constitution. The implementation of
This feedback helped shape the aspects of the hood of not being able to conduct the EGA and
the Revised Proposal would then take place
proposal that required further consideration how that impacted the proposal.
(Left) Action from World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup (top) and the World Para Dance Sport Championships (bottom). (Right) Tainafi Lefonno of the New Zealand wheelchair rugby team.
­during 2022.

50 51
THE EMPLOYEE GROUP THE DISABILITY
ERG IN THEIR
­T HAT RAISES STAFF OWN WORDS

AWARENESS ON DISABILITY It’s nice to know

the IPC isn’t only
The IPC supports various employee resources groups (ERGs) and the Disability ERG looking out for Para
was created in 2019 by two staff members. Open to all IPC staff, the Disability ERG athletes, but also
meets bi-weekly, works across various departments and in 2020 had 11 members. its employees with a
Bettina Kaus, the IPC’s diversity and inclusion manager, explains more. disability.”
Annika Zeyen
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE DISABILITY ERG? The document outlines recommendations regarding terminology, inter- World Para Sports brand manager
The Disability ERG volunteers part of its time to support fellow actions with people with a disability, and gives an idea how to address (Annika is a current world champion
employees with a disability. We raise awareness with all IPC staff on different situations at the office and events. We also developed a in Para cycling)
how to best engage with people with various disabilities. We have four disability inclusion session for this. The interactive sessions give staff
main objectives: the opportunity to learn about different types of disabilities and ask
any questions. The sessions are well received and appreciated by staff.
• Support in implementing the IPC’s mission to “Make for an inclusive
world through Para sport” and focus on the staff value of inclusion.
HOW DOES THE GROUP ALSO REPRESENT THE IPC VALUES?
• Support IPC staff with a disability by providing targeted resources
and information.
The Disability ERG aligns with all the IPC’s values, especially these four:
The Disability ERG creates a safe place to go to where your
• Raise awareness and support the development of training to all IPC • INCLUSION – We embrace difference questions, concerns and individual needs have already been considered.”
staff on matters related to disability inclusion and awareness. The Disability ERG seeks another perspective. The collective voice of
• Ensure the IPC is providing relevant tools related to matters of disa- us can be used to understand the impact of decisions. Daniela Luchina Membership engagement coordinator Americas
bility and inclusion e.g. onboarding, interview process, technology. • TRUST – We bring out the best in everyone
The Disability ERG creates an environment in which colleagues with
or without a disability can grow and provides opportunities for
TELL US MORE ABOUT THE RESOURCES THE
colleagues to ask questions and learn about disabilities in general.
DISABILITY ERG DEVELOPS.
To support employees with a disability, the ERG created a docu-
• CARE – We take care of ourselves and each other

ment that contains a lot of useful information, especially for interna-

Colleagues with a disability, especially new ones joining from I don’t have a disability, but I felt The work of the group makes
abroad, feel supported.
tional colleagues joining from abroad. It covers important topics like
• STRATEGY – We align and prepare for the future it important to become more self-aware for more open and comfortable
how someone with a disability can get government support (e.g. tax
reductions for people with disabilities) through to how you can get your
The Disability ERG comes from various departments and works and potentially help others who might conversations about disability at
German disability ID card.
together. The work created is useful for everyone and is becoming
an integral module of the general staff onboarding process.
have questions.” work.”
There’s plenty of practical advice too, like details on accessible restau- Ros Dumlao IPC content coordinator Nael Ogden-Smith Head of partnership services
rants and bars in Bonn and what to consider when you are planning
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A DISABILITY ERG?
things like a committee meeting. There’s even information on what to
Having a Disability ERG allows all of us to contribute to the well-being
do if a Governing Board member needs to repair his or her wheelchair.
of employees with a disability in the work environment and it helps the
IPC to drive forward inclusion. Inclusion is at the core of the IPC and the
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RAISE AWARENESS
disability ERG materialises this value internally. With a diverse group
AMONG IPC EMPLOYEES?
comes diverse views and fruitful discussions. The Disability ERG has
Some employees may feel that because they are working at the IPC, they
should know all the dos and don’ts. This can create insecurity on how For the Disability ERG to succeed in its objectives, it is crucial to have the
immensely helped me when I
to act towards colleagues with a disability and Para athletes. To close executive office support. Our CEO Mike Peters, himself a Paralympian, moved to Bonn, which was just
this gap, the ERG created another document with useful information and has shown great acceptance and encouragement of our work.
before COVID hit. Across 2020,
gives workshops on disability inclusion.
the group grew stronger even
though we couldn’t see each
other in person.”
52 Matija Grebenic Brand coordinator 53
REVIEW PROCESS ENSURES
THE IPC’S STRATEGIC PLAN
REMAINS ON TRACK
In 2019 the IPC announced the IPC Strategic Plan 2019-2022, which outlines HOW DID YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE STRATEGIC REVIEW
COME ABOUT AND WHAT WAS THE THINKING BEHIND IT?
team that needed Communications team input or where the Brand team
needed Legal support. This helped department heads to better under-
the focus and priorities of the IPC as the Paralympic Movement’s governing body. I am on the board of the Agitos Foundation and I met Mike Peters at a stand the real workloads of their team and to adapt their own plans

In 2020 the IPC brought in Vicky Bruce, an experienced change professional, board meeting in June 2019. When I left my previous corporate role in
early 2020, I contacted him and asked if I could support the Paralympic
accordingly.

to reflect on how the IPC was delivering on the Strategic Plan and whether any Movement in any way. He suggested that my expertise could be useful
We adjusted the corporate planning process to separate the day to
day (‘running’) activities that support the running of the organisation
adjustments needed to be made. Here Vicky explains why this review was in measuring progress against the current IPC Strategic Plan which was
signed off by the IPC Governing Board at the end of 2019. Its creation
(such as finance and operational processes) and the strategic activities.

important and what it entailed. was a major one-year piece of work and this review would act as a suit-
When the plans were completed, senior management reviewed them
with the department heads challenging priorities, capacity and costs.
able mid cycle checkpoint to make sure the IPC was on track.
This gave us a clear book of work for 2021 as well as visibility on
Fundamentally, any business - whether you are a commercial business,
priorities for 2022.
a sport governing body, or a charity – should have a strategy and be
able to demonstrate that it is delivering against that strategy. It’s
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS ON IPC
about having a clear, prioritised programme of work and being able
DEPARTMENTS OF REVIEWING THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES?
to measure and report progress by way of deliverables and key perfor-
We improved focus on workforce planning. The output enabled us to
mance indicators.
see how much resource is dedicated to the running activities versus
delivering the strategy. This allowed us to challenge whether people are
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ORGANISATIONS TO REVIEW
focussed on the right things and/or taking on too much work.
THEIR STRATEGY?
An organisation’s strategy needs to be ‘living and breathing’: clearly In consolidating all the strategic activities, we created a strategy
communicated to ensure a common understanding across the organi- implementation plan. We have started to give departments quarterly
sation and its stakeholders, with all employees understanding how they financial and strategic reports and Finance holds meetings with the
contribute to its success. Otherwise, there is a risk that people will focus departments to keep a closer eye on spending trends.
on other priorities which are not fundamental in achieving the strategy
We also defined some key performance indicators and key deliverables
and it will fail.
which the Chief Executive and Governing Board now use to track
Our external stakeholders, in particular our members, played a key role progress.
in defining the strategy, taking part in interviews, completing surveys
By establishing a more sustainable and professional process this work
and participating in engagement groups. It’s important that the IPC is
has the additional benefit of contributing to IPC’s strategic priority
able to share progress with all stakeholders so that they can under-
number 4 ‘A continuous pursuit of excellence’.
stand what is being done in areas that are important to them. Further-
more, as we start to plan for the next strategy cycle, it’s important that
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
our stakeholders are aware of what has been done so that they can give
We will make some further improvements to the 2022 corporate plan-
us a steer on our priorities for the next four-year cycle.
ning process. We are comfortable with the status of our strategy
implementation and members will hear more about this at the conference
HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT ORGANISING THE REVIEW?
in December 2021.
The first part of the review process aimed to drive transparency across
the organisation. We held staff workshops for each strategic priority The Governing Board has agreed a plan for developing the 2023-2026
to make sure everyone had a common understanding of the expected strategy and work will start on this in January 2022. We will get insights
outcomes. We discussed and captured what had already been achieved and thoughts from the new board and then reach out to many of our
and then looked ahead to what else needed to be done. These work- stakeholders during the middle of the year.
shops gave staff the chance to better understand what other depart-
In the meantime, we will continue to deliver what is required to achieve
ments were doing and to highlight where they needed input or support
the current strategic plan.
Germany’s Noemi Ristau and her guide Paula Brenzel compete in the B2 giant slalom at the 2020 World Para Alpine Skiing World Cup in Veysonnaz, Switzerland. Ristau has two per cent eyesight from other departments. For example, an activity in the Membership
and needs a guide to navigate skiing courses. She is in communication with her guide through a digital headset – the guide skis in front of her and gives her visual cues to inform Ristau of what is
ahead of her on the course.

54 55
WORLD PARA SPORTS: DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY
SUMMER MADNESS ON SOCIAL TAKES CENTRE STAGE FOR IT
How the team at the IPC that looks after communications for the Patrick Stolpmann, head of technology and transformation at the IPC, explains
World Para Sports used social media to engage new viewers. how his team kept the IPC connected and how digital accessibility is firmly on the
In March, when the Para sport season was about to start, everything The results speak for themselves – in comparison to 2019, a year with
agenda of the IPC.
was put on hold due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. World Championships, World Para Athletics in 2020 had 142 per cent
In 2020, the IPC technology and transfor- A major milestone achieved was the funda- New features coming to the modern work-
more interactions and 304 per cent more video views on Facebook, and
All around the world, athletes, IFs and teams had to search for alterna- mation (T&T) team focussed on improving mental change of the IPC’s IT landscape, place applications allowed the IPC to initi-
171 per cent more impressions on Twitter.
tives to engage with their fanbases and give them the content ­efficiency, service levels and security. Foster- ­transitioning from a traditional IT infrastruc- ate a conversation around the importance of
they were craving. With everyone stuck at home, social World Para Swimming channels had many videos going ing a modern workplace approach with online ture to a cloud-first approach. This adoption digital accessibility. Our main initiatives were
media became the most important – and the only – viral and saw 1,378 per cent more interactions and collaboration and communication helped the not only allowed the IPC to enable better education and awareness through workshops,
point of contact between fans and their favourite 478 per cent more impressions on Facebook. On organisation adapt to the unprecedented access and data handling methods, but also ­ reating internal knowledge bases and regu-
c
team, sport or athlete. DID YOU KNOW? the World Para Swimming’s Instagram, there ­situation of a global pandemic. to implement an array of security measures, lar information sharing, and the use of acces-
were 70 per cent more video views and, on vastly improving the overall security posture of sibility tools and services to make our commu-
The big boom of the World Para Sports In 2020, TikTok became a trend The story of 2020 was quickly and effectively
Twitter, 186 per cent more e ­ngagement. the organisation. nication more suitable for our stakeholders.
social media numbers occurred in the sum- and many athletes managed to create enabling remote work (all with the T&T team
World Shooting Para Sport had 26 per cent
mer sports accounts: World Para Athletics, some truly engaging content. working remotely), ensuring robust data secu- Over the course of 2020, the IPC was also able Best practice guidelines for the organisa-
more videos views on Facebook, 119 per
World Para Swimming, World Para Power- World Para Swimming shared a post rity and protection, and providing easy access to completely internalise IT knowledge and tion were introduced, equipping the IPC
cent more impressions and 142 per cent
lifting (WPPO) and World Shooting Para on its Facebook page that US swimmer for all. This gave the T&T new momentum to operations, decreasing dependency from third with a checklist to turn change into habit,
more interactions on Twitter.
Sport. Although the cancellation and post- Jessica Long made, showing how she puts further continue with the IPC’s digital transfor- parties. and to begin setting a standard for digital
ponement of events was bad news and on her prosthetic legs. It was viewed over The World Para Powerlifting management mation roadmap. accessibility.
brought many headaches, the small World 100 million times in 2020 on the WPS account, team came up with an online competition
Para Sports content creation team took the making it the most viewed post of the among athletes, where they could challenge
opportunity to approach and experiment in a year across the WPS and @Paralympic each other lifting weight from their homes.
new way. The new approach was very beneficial for
social media channels.
the overall engagement with fans and athletes,
The story of
Usually busy with the coverage of all events, the
team was able for the first time to shift the focus to
keeping them supplied with their daily/weekly loved 2020 was
Para powerlifting content. In comparison with 2019,
evergreen content. This included funny graphics, profile
the WPPO Facebook account had 263% more interactions
quickly and
videos of athletes, explanation videos of sports, engagement
with international dates, reviews of past events and some bespoke
and 80% more video views; Twitter saw 84% more impressions and effectively
113% more interactions; and Instagram grew 25%, had 4,6% more video
content with Asics (the creation of a ‘Virtual Race’) and Ottobock (live
views and 10% more engagement.
enabling
chats on Facebook).
remote work,
ensuring robust
data security,
and providing
easy access
for all.”
Patrick Stolpmann
Head of technology and
transformation, IPC

The IPC has been working closely with Microsoft to improve digital accessibility.
Some of the ways World Para Sports engaged socially with fans in 2020.

56 57
 5
DELIVERING
CHANGE FOR THE
WORLD

It is important that more people are

exposed to and engage with the
Paralympic Movement, understand
its purpose, and recognise its
transformational impact in changing the
world for the better.

Paralympic archer Matt

Stutzman trains during a session
in Fairfield, Iowa. Athletes
across the globe trained in
isolation under strict policies
in place due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Matt was one of
the stars of the award-winning
Netflix documentary about
the Paralympic Movement,
Rising Phoenix.

58 59
RISING PHOENIX BROADCASTS STARS OF RISING PHOENIX
EXPLAIN ITS IMPACT
THE VISION OF THE DID YOU KNOW?
JONNIE PEACOCK, BEBE VIO,

PARALYMPICS TO THE WORLD

The title track for the soundtrack of Rising BRITISH PARA ATHLETE ITALIAN WHEELCHAIR FENCER
Phoenix was performed by three artists who “The stories in Rising Phoenix blew me away. “The cool thing about Rising Phoenix is that it
all have a disability: George Dorman and ­ I’ve known Jean-Baptiste Alaize (below) since shows people who had so much bad luck, but
Keith Jones, both of whom have I started in Para sport. I’ve shared a room with through that they found out how to be a better
cerebral ­palsy, and Toni Hickman,
Launched on Netflix in August 2020, Rising Phoenix told the extraordinary story of who has survived two brain aneurysms and
him, and I’ve spoken to him about what he’s person, how to live a better life, how to fight in
been through. But seeing his story in film, I some way and some situation. This film shows
the Paralympic Games like never before. a stroke. ­George later joined the IPC was in tears. It was at that moment the film so many different people who have achieved
as an intern within the taught me something. I’ve been someone so much, and that’s why I really loved the film.”
Coinciding with the one-year-to-go celebra- communications team. who has always been about the sport in the
tions for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
WHY WE MADE A MOVIE Paralympics, I don’t really want to talk about
was a ground-breaking movie: Rising Phoenix. the story. But when you see that you go ‘wow,

Examining how the Paralympics have sparked

a global movement, Rising Phoenix shows
ABOUT THE PARALYMPICS that’s why the Paralympics are important’. It’s
showing so many people these dark days and
that you can turn them around.”
how the Games continue to change the way
“After one of my gold medal wins at Rio 2016, get to where they are and the challenges Movement. I told the directors what I went
the world thinks about disability, excellence,
I met for the first time the man who would they face along the way. They don’t know the through as a young disabled person, my jour-
diversity and human potential. Broadcast in
end up being the executive producer of Rising drama that often comes with putting on our ney, what I hoped for and where we are glob-
over 190 countries on Netflix, it has gone on to
Phoenix, Greg Nugent. We got talking about Games. ally as a Paralympic Movement.
win several awards.
the history of the Paralympics.
And then Greg just came out and said it: “This It was important that the film was an advo-
The movie features nine Paralympians from
We discussed how people know of the should be a movie.” I replied that it should, cate for persons with disabilities. I wanted to
across the world: Bebe Vio (Italy), Ellie Cole
Paralympics, but they don’t really know about and he said, “Well, why don’t I just do it?”. It make sure we hired people with disabilities on
(Australia), Jean-Baptiste Alaize (France),
the Paralympics. That’s because the story had was such magical thinking and four years later the film. The purpose of this film was athletes
Matt Stutzman (USA), Jonnie Peacock (Great
never been told. So they don’t know how it we ended up with a movie airing on Netflix all talking about equality and how we can push
Britain), Cui Zhe (China), Ryle Batt (Australia),
originated and how it’s grown into the third over the world. that forward. That same equality was needed
Ntando Mahlangu (South Africa) and Tatyana
largest sports event in the world. They don’t in the film making and it was incredible that 16
McFadden (USA). Tatyana was a producer on I was made a producer of the film in 2018
know about the process of how the athletes per cent of the working group who made this
the film, and here she explains its process. and my role was to stay true to the whole
film had a disability.

The directors learned many things, like find-

ing accessible buildings and transport. They
learned a lot of new words and phrases, and
that it is OK to say disability. They learned that
we shouldn’t have to hunt to find disabled
people to work in film production, although we
did. I hope it sets a change for Hollywood and
it pushes a movement.

Finally, the visual aesthetic was important too.

My biggest hope is that people watch
Pictures say a thousand words and we wanted Rising Phoenix and go, ‘No matter how
certain imagery to portray certain things
because I feel that globally people have a per-
hard ­m y life is, no matter how hard a day
ception of what disabled should look like. We or a week can be, this is what I aspire to,
wanted to smash those perceptions and we
did – people said that we looked so beauti­
not just f­ or me but for my family and all my
ful and so elegant, and they were genuinely loved o­ nes.’ It is that element that I think
surprised that we are no different to any other
person. That was the whole goal of the film.”
will end up changing the world.”
Prince Harry Duke of Sussex
Tatyana McFadden, athlete and producer

60 61
#WAITFORTHEGREATS AIRBNB GET CREATIVE TO
CELEBRATES ATHLETES WITH BRING PARA ATHLETES TO
ONE YEAR TO GO HOMES ACROSS THE WORLD
To mark one year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics the IPC launched When the pandemic hit, Airbnb developed Online Experiences, in which hosts
#WaitForTheGreats, a multi-pronged athlete-focussed campaign that aimed to virtually share a one-of-a-kind activity with guests from around the world.
generate excitement and interest ahead of the rearranged Games. Paralympians like Great Britain’s Stephen Miller took full advantage.
Tokyo 2020 did not take place as planned, but Accompanying Brown is his guide Jerome “Greatness will wait,” was the message According to proverb, “necessity is the mother Paralympic athletes. An added benefit was “I picked this theme because I believe in the
that did not stop the IPC creating a ­celebration Avery, who sprinted down the track with him. that started the second half of the advert, of invention.” It means that the primary driving that it also brought in a new earning opportu- power of thinking positively, and I think it can
around the exact time the Paralympic Games Out of the darkness comes Avery’s voice, as viewers saw more Paralympic athletes force for most new inventions is a need. nity for many athletes stuck at home. make a big difference in people’s lives if they
would have taken place. A brand campaign giving Brown some last-minute advice and
­ celebrate their previous successes. The advert When the pandemic shut down travel across can change the way they think, and how they
One of the first Para athletes on the Airbnb
called #WaitForTheGreats ran from 25 August encouragement: “Alright it’s showtime. You’ve ended with the message, “The Paralympics the world and national lockdowns limited approach and react to different situations,”
Online Experiences was Paralympic champion
through to 6 September. worked hard to be here David,” says Avery, will return in 2021, #WaitForTheGreats.” personal engagement, Worldwide Paralympic Miller said.
Stephen Miller, who hosted guests on a unique
then telling Brown where to place his hands Partner Airbnb got creative.
The campaign included a range of engaging Paralympic rights-holding broadcasters journey through… his mind. “No one can control what’s happening. But
behind the start line before the pistol goes off.
athlete-centred content and kicked off with a engaged with the TV spot: the likes of Channel In April 2020, Airbnb launched Online you can control how you react, how you think
Born with cerebral palsy, Miller shared how he
daring TV advert. Titled #WaitForTheGreats, Viewers follow the pair down the track. It is 4, NBC, CCTV, SuperSport, as well as broad- Experiences, a platform that allows guests to and how you feel.
mastered the art of positive thinking to enjoy
the first 17 seconds of the 30-second spot, still dark and all that can be heard is Avery’s casters in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, connect with new people and travel virtually,
a successful athletic career that includes three “[In my Experience] I want people to take
which was created and developed by calls of “Drive, drive, drive, pick it up!” before Israel and Belgium, showed the advert over all from the comfort of their own living room.
Paralympic gold medals. He felt the topic was something away that they can use in their own
­advertising agency adam&eveDDB, took place he gives Brown a countdown. “Twenty metres, 2,000 times. It unlocked unprecedented access to inspir-
especially applicable during the COVID-19 lives. Me just talking about what I love to do is
in darkness. Viewers were transported into 40. Come on, you’re looking good. Eighty ing hosts across the world and that included
The IPC developed a campaign around pandemic. interesting, but it’s not going to be something
the world of sprinter David Brown at the Rio metres, 90,” before a final screamed instruc-
athlete-generated content with the hashtag they can (practically apply).”
2016 Paralympic Games. It is the final of the tion of “Lean!” as they cross the line first and
#WaitForTheGreats, and there was a partner-
100m T11 for athletes with a vision impairment. the commentator announces that their time of Miller’s personal journey towards six
ship with Twitter to develop an emoji hashtag.
The Team USA athlete is wearing a Stars and 10.99 is a new Paralympic record. Paralympic Games (1996-2016) started with
Stripes blindfold. To mark the original date of the Tokyo 2020 his parents, who helped him see opportunities
Paralympic Opening Ceremony (25 August), instead of obstacles. That allowed him to feel
there was a 24-hour Instagram Live Relay. This Don’t free – not afraid – to try different sports until he
featured 24 athletes representing 24 coun-
underestimate discovered club throwing. He even explored a
tries and 22 sports. Interviews were conducted backwards throwing technique that eventually
in English, Japanese, Indonesian, Persian, the value of your revolutionised the sport.
Ukrainian, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
story and the A key element of many Airbnb Online Experi-
Each day, Para athletes also took over the
lessons you’ve ences is interaction with the online guests. In
IPC’s Instagram stories with a Paralympic quiz, Stephen’s case, the paying public listen to his
asking questions about themselves and their learned in your story before exploring practical applications
sports. There was also a poll for
journey toward of positive thinking, including meditation,
the greatest Paralympic stretch exercises and real-life examples. One
Moment of the Decade, being a Paralympic thing is for sure, Miller believes Paralympians
and a ­ TikTok part-
athlete.” make excellent hosts.
nership where Para
“Don’t underestimate the value of your story
DID YOU KNOW? athletes shared Stephen Miller
and the lessons you’ve learned in your journey
their amazing sto- Paralympian, Great Britain
There were 145,459,695 towards being a Paralympic athlete,” Miller
ries and skills.
impressions for the said.
#WaitForTheGreats hashtag
on Twitter for the two-week
David Brown (left) and his guide Jerome Avery celebrate winning gold in the 100m T11 race at the Rio period of the campaign.
2016 Paralympic Games.

62 63
PARALYMPIANS’ LIFE-LESSONS
BECOME AN AWARD-WINNING
PODCAST HIT
In August 2020, the IPC launched its first official podcast. A Winning Mindset: GREG POLYCHRONIDIS, GREECE, GRACE WEMBOLUA, FRANCE, MEICA HORSBURGH, AUSTRALIA,
BOCCIA – WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL – GOALBALL –
Lessons from the Paralympians built on our partnership with Allianz to bring ON OVERCOMING SETBACKS ON BODY CONFIDENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH
together insights and experiences that can benefit everyday life. “I do the best to live my life the way I want “Being a teenager was the most compli- “In my teenage years, I got teased a lot. I
to. Being born with a disability makes you cated period of my life. That’s where my hated life. I hated myself. I didn’t know why
stronger. From childhood, you know you journey with accepting my body started. I was the one that was different. The bul-

Produced in collaboration with Livewire Sport, it became an instant hit. It won a have to struggle. You have a weak point But as long as you are comfortable within lying was daily. It got to the point where
and you have to make some other points yourself, ­whatever other people feel about there was nothing to live for. Aged 13, I tried
­Webby Award in the Best Branded Podcast or Segment category, and Best Podcast much stronger to have a normal life. you will not matter. By going out, I can show to take my own life. I struggled a lot – but I

at the Digiday Media Europe Awards. Here are some of the ­stories it told: “There isn’t a person in the world who
people what a burn survivor is. So, the next do think sport saved me.
time they go out, they won’t stare at a kid or
hasn’t had disappointments and failure. “Goalball, and getting my frustrations out
teenager. That’s mission accomplished.
The important thing is how to overcome on court, helped me find a place I’d fit in.
this. Find your mistake in order to become “I can hide myself for three months, but it I knew I wasn’t alone. People were going
stronger. We must become strong from won’t bring a solution. I’m still going to be through the same things.
each failure in life and we must appreciate Grace with two prosthetics and my burn
“We all belong. We all have a place in the
when we succeed. If we do not fail, we will scars. I can’t remember the last time I went
world. I try to make everyone understand
never know the meaning of success. We are out in a long-sleeved shirt when it was
that you should love yourself. My favourite
all capable of doing and a ­ccomplishing warm. To me, that’s a massive achievement.
quote is ‘why try so hard to fit in when you
great things.” The more people see you confident, the
were born to stand out?’ Life is definitely
more they will treat you ­normally.”
worth living.”

ELLEN KEANE, IRELAND, BRUNO BOSNJAK, CROATIA, MARKUS REHM, GERMANY,

SWIMMING – SNOWBOARD – ATHLETICS –
ON BEING A ROLE MODEL ON OVERCOMING TRAUMA ON BREAKING BARRIERS
“As Paralympians, we strive for the “I recognised something was wrong. When “As a Paralympic family, we prove so many
respect of everyone else seeing us as elite I was there, I wanted to move. But I just felt people wrong. I’d like to perform at the Olym-
athletes – not just people with disabilities. my head. I can’t describe this to someone pic Games, but not because I want to be an
When I got verified on Instagram, and it who hasn’t experienced it. I was already Olympic athlete. I’m a proud Paralympian.
was such a high. I felt like I had more power crying. I wanted to fall asleep, let the doctor I want to compete at the Olympic Games to
over influencing people’s perceptions of do his job and wake up with everything fine. prove that it’s worth getting tickets for our
disabilities. When I woke up, it wasn’t fine. events.

“When I was growing up, I became really “The worst time was when I left the rehabil- “Look at our athletes. There are so many
introverted. I hated the fact people were itation centre. There I was the star; the guy great stories. I get goosebumps when I
staring at me. It’s an awful feeling. People who can walk again. Out in the world, I was see a person playing table tennis with the
are looking at what’s different about you. I the disabled guy needing help. racket in their mouth. It’s incredible.
was so unhappy. I felt like I was so unwor-
“After my second accident, I really started “My next barrier is 8.50m in the long jump.
thy of love.
­to think ‘OK, maybe I have a mission.’ It’s It’s a lot of work, but let’s see. If someone
“My media work is so important for rep- important for other people to see my story, says your goal is impossible, just start.
resentation, because disability can happen to motivate them. It makes me think ‘OK, I’m Don’t ask anybody for permission. Once
to anyone at any point in their life. The more ­going through this for others.’ Things can you’ve found a solution, just do it. Don’t
you see of something, the less of a big deal ­always ­become at least a little bit better.” overthink it.”
it is and the less scary it is.”

64 65
THE PARTNERS CHANGING “It’s amazing to see the commercial being “As a mobility company and a proud sup- of the Blind in the US, it has been at the fore-
well received, even when it doesn’t feature porter of the Olympic and Paralympic Move- front of campaigning for audio-described ads
a vehicle or mobility product. It shows us the ments, we thought this year’s ad would be a to become an industry standard. It is making

THE NARRATIVE ON INCLUSIVE impact that powerful storytelling can have great o ­ pportunity to reiterate our belief in an it a reality and is hopeful other brands will
and we’re thankful to Jessica and her parents ­inclusive, barrier-free world where mobility is now follow its lead and quite literally speak
for allowing us to share such a personal part a human right.” to hundreds of millions of people around the

ADVERTISING of their story.” world.

Being inclusive is exactly what P&G, one of the
Materazzo added that Toyota also appreci- world’s largest advertisers, also did during the And progress is important, because as this
ated hearing from people like Lisa Schneider Super Bowl. Its advert for its laundry detergent second part of the Schneider family story
about the impact ‘Upstream’ had on her family. Tide brand did not feature disability but broke shows, disability representation in advertis-
Representation matters for Toyota and P&G, two of the IPC’s worldwide partners, new ground in accessibility. ing matters and is very real. After seeing the
“Parents of children with mobility challenges
who brought the values they share with the Paralympics to TV’s biggest stage shared with us how special this commer- It developed the first ever Super Bowl ad with
Instagram post, Toyota set up a call between
Jessica and Myah. For her mum Lisa, it meant
cial was for them. We’re aware that people audio description. Created for those with low
so much.
with physical disabilities and physical dif- or no vision, an audio-described ad is visually
ferences can be a highly marginalised group identical to a regular spot. What is different is “Myah doesn’t really have anyone close to her
and, for Toyota, it’s important to give them the track played behind it: the original audio that she can relate to in her struggles, so for
representation.” is at a slightly lower level while a narrator her to be able to see and feel that she is not
describes the action not communicated by alone is so important. This is one of the reasons
High-profile support of Para athletes is not
sounds and speech. why representation matters so much. No one
new for Toyota. It has featured Paralympians
should ever feel alone. I cannot come up with
in Super Bowl adverts three times in the last six P&G has been busy developing audio ads for
words that seem adequate enough to express
years. For Materazzo, Toyota views Paralympic several years, and working alongside the disa-
our sincere gratitude to Jessica Long for paving
athletes as people who demonstrate that no bility experts from the Royal National Institute
the path for kids like Myah everywhere and for
matter the challenge, when a person is free to from the Blind in the UK, the American Coun-
making my little girl feel so special.”
move, anything is possible. cil of the Blind, and the National Federation

BEFORE AFTER

Myah Schneider’s reaction to seeing Toyota’s advert with Jessica Long ended with her getting the chance to have a video call with US Paralympic swimmer.

A mother’s Instagram post underlined why The ‘huge platform’ was the holy grail of For Toyota – which developed the advert with
representation of persons with disabilities in advertising slots, halftime at the Super Bowl, Jessica and her parents to ensure it was an
advertising matters. Little Myah Schneider, the single largest annual TV event in the accurate portrayal of their story – the spot
­
who has spina bifida, saw someone like her in United States. The 60-second advert was represents the values it shares with Paralym-
a TV commercial. called ‘Upstream’ and was created by Toyota. pic and Olympic Movements, which is inspiring
people to reach their full potential.
“That girl has crutches like me,” she said, before It beautifully and powerfully tells the story of
grabbing her crutches and adding, “I want to US Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long, from her Of the 61 ads placed across the Super Bowl,
be like that girl.” In the post, her mother Lisa adoption at a Russian orphanage and having ‘Upstream’ was one of the most talked about,
added: “For Myah to see someone ‘like her’ her legs amputated aged 18 months, to her something that Lisa Materazzo, Group Vice
means so much more than people realise and dedication to become a 13-times Paralympic President for Toyota marketing at Toyota
on such a huge platform.” gold medallist. ­Motor North America, welcomed:

66 67
 “WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
­THE POWER OF SPORT, I came into London 2012 as a
journalist who had avoided addressing his
­THE PARALYMPIC GAMES disability and left as a TV presenter who
celebrated it.”
­ARE THE ABSOLUTE Alex Brooker Journalist, presenter and comedian

­PINNACLE OF THAT POWER.”

In 2020, British broadcaster Channel 4 secured coverage was going to be. Growing up, the around it, and then I thought of all the young-
the UK rights to broadcast the Paris 2024 bar was set really low. When you saw disabled sters watching that and how amazing it was
Paralympic Games. people on television, they were always sad to see.
stories. I can never remember seeing any Para
Since it first became a rights-holder broad- I also think people at home now see it as an
sport on TV. So when it said its aim was to
caster for London 2012, not only has it created elite sporting event, which is huge progress.
have 50 per cent of the presenters with disa-
the blueprint of how a commercial broadcaster After a while of watching Jonnie Peacock, you
bilities, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be seen
can raise the profile of Paralympic sport, its forget you’re watching a guy on a blade. You
as tokenism.
promotion of persons with disabilities within realise you’re just watching this guy running
its on- and off-screen talent has been equally I was nervous about putting myself in the extremely fast. Athletes are getting the credit
ground-breaking. spotlight because I had a misconception that for what they do and how hard they train: this
maybe society just didn’t want to see us. It is not sport that anyone can do and we’re
One person with a disability whose career
became clear during the auditions how serious watching some of the best athletes on the
has flourished is Alex Brooker. He first joined
Channel 4 was taking it. The game changer for planet.
Channel 4 in 2011 as a trackside reporter
me was they showed us a screening of the Meet
on Para sport. During the London 2012
The Superhumans ad before it came out in 2012. IPC: WHAT WOULD A 12-YEAR-OLD
Paralympic Games he started to co-host The
It blew my mind: it was so uplifting and so in ALEX BROOKER MAKE OF TODAY’S
Last Leg, a satirical chat show where two out
your face and I’ve never seen d ­ isability por- PARALYMPIC GAMES AND THE
of the three presenters have disabilities. The
trayed like that in anything being broadcast. ­C OVERAGE OF IT?
multi-award-winning show has been a main-
That was genuinely when I was like, ‘wow, this AB: For me as a kid to have seen the way the
stay of Channel 4’s prime-time Friday evening
is going to be something amazing’. I came into Paralympics are broadcast now would have
schedule ever since.
London 2012 as a journalist who had avoided been incredible. My knowledge of Paralympic
In this exclusive interview, Alex discusses the addressing his disability and left as a TV pre- sports was reduced to posters you’d see at the
importance of Channel 4 in the promotion of senter who celebrated it. local limb fitting centre. It wasn’t real. There
Para sport and persons with disabilities, why certainly weren’t the crowds that said this is
broadcasting the Paralympic Games shows IPC: CHANNEL 4 HAS RESEARCH a big sporting event. I’d have given anything
the power of sport, the importance of Rising THAT 83% OF PEOPLE WHO WATCH to see something like a Paralympic Games as
Phoenix airing on Netflix and why representa- THE PARALYMPICS CHANGE THEIR a kid.
tion matters. ­ATTITUDES TOWARDS PERSONS WITH
And increased awareness is important: broad-
DISABILITIES. THAT SHOWS THE
cast coverage like Channel 4’s has created
INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC ­P OWER OF BROADCAST, DOESN’T IT?
more opportunities for disabled people to get
­C OMMITTEE: WHEN ­YOU AUDITIONED AB: It really does, and it works in many differ-
into sport. People see it and think, ‘I want to
TO BE PART OF THE CHANNEL 4 ent levels. The Paralympic Games desensitizes
try that’. Of course not everyone’s going to
­P RESENTING TEAM AT THE LONDON people to disability, and that’s even true of me
be a Paralympian, that’s not how it works, it’s
2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES, DID YOU as a disabled person. When I see something
more the mindset of ‘someone like me could do
THINK IT WOULD PLAY SUCH AN new I do a double take, and I’ve felt that way
that’. And that’s a really big thing. When we
IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE WAY THAT at the Paralympics many times. In Rio, there
talk about the power of sport, the Paralympic
PARALYMPIC SPORT IS PERCEIVED? was a Danish equestrian rider called Stinna
Games are the absolute pinnacle of that
ALEX BROOKER: When I auditioned for Kaarstup. She has no legs and she was on a
power.
Channel 4, I wasn’t really sure what the horse. It took me a few seconds to get my head

68 69
 HOW PARTNERS CAN HELP
IPC: OVER THE LAST DECADE, WHAT IPC: IS THAT WHY RISING PHOENIX IPC: IN 2020, THE IPC SIGNED
PROGRESS DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN WAS IMPORTANT, THAT IT EDUCATED A NEW BROADCAST DEAL WITH
MADE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILI- AND ENTERTAINED PEOPLE AT THE CHANNEL 4 FOR THE PARIS 2024

­DELIVER SOCIETAL CHANGE

TIES, AND WHAT STILL NEEDS TO BE SAME TIME? PARALYMPIC GAMES, BY WHICH TIME
DONE? AB: 100 per cent. After watching Rising Phoenix IT WILL HAVE BEEN THE UK RIGHTS
AB: When you talk about diversity and rep- I felt incredibly proud to be disabled. To have HOLDER FOR 12 YEARS. IT HAS RAISED
resentation on television - and I say this as such a huge disability-focused programme on THE BAR NOT ONLY WITH ITS LIVE
someone working in the industry - disability such a widely consumed medium as Netflix is PARA SPORTS COVERAGE BUT IN ITS By Craig Spence, Chief Brand and Communications Officer,
is close to the bottom of the pile in terms of a very big deal. So many young people watch ASSOCIATED PROGRAMMING. WHAT
diversity and inclusion. Things are improv- Netflix, and it gets the message about the WOULD YOU SAY IS ITS LEGACY? International Paralympic Committee
ing; they are better than 2012 when I started Paralympics and disability far and wide across
AB: It’s shown other broadcasters around
and when Channel 4 announced in 2010 its the world.
the world that there is an appetite for this Channel 4 wants to maintain its prized posi-
big scheme to have half of presenting talent
It’s also just an amazingly good film. There programming, for this sport, and for persons tion as a world leader in inclusion. In August
with a disability. Ten years on, there are more
were so many wonderful parts to it. I really with disabilities to be represented. The thing 2020, it continued its longstanding commit-
opportunities.
enjoyed the interviews with Matt Stutzman, is, how could there not be? There are over ment to Paralympic sport by securing the UK
However, there’s a long way to go. If there he’s just an incredible guy. We had him on a billion persons with disabilities across the media rights to the Paris 2024 Paralympic
were loads of us in soaps, dramas, and films, The Last Leg in Rio 2016, and he was incredible. world, so it’s almost crazy sometimes to think Games. In its pitch, Channel 4 outlined a new
then it wouldn’t be an issue. Hollywood, in And I really loved Beatrice Vio as well. She was that there has ever been a time when this sort element of its partnership that will be reach-
particular, still seems to treat disability as just so passionate about her sport and her life. of programming was not on. ing out and informing persons with disabilities
something to be played about with. It does Every single story was fascinating, but also that everyone has a route to exercise.
I’m really proud to be a part of Channel 4. That
get frustrating. That’s why I spoke out about very different.
50 per cent of disabled talent it said it would For businesses, besides building brand aware-
the film The Witches and its portrayal of limb
That broad church element was central to have in London; well, it did that. The important ness and exposure, its involvement and sup-
deficiencies. I genuinely think in the making of
a documentary I did for the BBC in 2020. thing is it don’t rest on its laurels. In Tokyo, the port for the Paralympic Movement is an oppor-
that film someone’s gone, “If we remove some
Disabled people are not a homogenous group. aim is for 70 per cent of our on-screen talent to tunity to build an inclusive work culture which
fingers, it might look scarier”. Until we get
Their experiences are not the same. There’s have a disability. How cool is that? Channel 4 can bring growth. Accenture research found
away from those thought processes, progress
such a big difference between people who is really are pushing the boundaries of broad- that companies championing inclusive work
for persons with disability on screen will be
have acquired disabilities, and people who casting and I look forward to seeing how it environments for employees with disabilities
slow. And that’s disappointing when disabled
have been born with them. The bigger point continues for Paris and beyond. achieved on average across four years, 28 per
people make up such a large percentage of
is we’re all just humans at the end of the day cent higher revenue, doubled net income and
the world’s population.
and we live, work and love like everyone else. 30 per cent higher economic profit margins.

Athlete standards are improving worldwide

thanks to partner support. Over the last
Leonor Espinoza Carranza has been supported by the NPCDP Athlete Support Programme on her journey to the Tokyo 2020
Paralympic Games. The Para taekwondo athlete, who was Peru’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2019 Parapan three years, Toyota has invested hugely in
American Games, competes in the women’s K44 -49kg category. the ­National Paralympic Committee Develop-
ment Programme, which aims to increase the
The Paralympic Games are the world’s number And people are increasingly alive to this ­knowledge, skills, capacity, and opportunities
one sports event for driving social inclusion. opportunity. Nielsen data shows that global for NPCs at all levels to develop Para athletes
And that is important as brands increasingly awareness of the Paralympic Games in 2015 and Para sport. It helped 74 Para athletes
develop purpose-led marketing strategies – as was 65 per cent, but that figure increased to compete in the 2019 World Para Athletics
our broadcast and commercial partners know, 85 per cent by 2020. The demographics of Championships and seven countries will likely
the Paralympics are different from other rights this target group are slightly younger, higher make their Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo.
properties. educated and often from households with
Of course, it is important for the IPC to
children.
Without a doubt you get world class sport, increase the revenue base so that we can
where the standards are raised at every Games, Those seeking inspiration should look no fur- support the organisation of the Games and
­
but we also transform attitudes ­towards the ther than Channel 4. In 2012, it changed the the betterment of our media products. How-
1.2 billion people across the globe who have broadcast landscape of Para sports. From ever, with this ­process, our intention is also to
a disability. We create o­ pportunities for them powerful promotional campaigns to running open and refresh new and ongoing dialogues
to be active members of s­ ociety. We ensure a recruitment scheme to ensure 50 per cent with interested parties to understand how
that host cities and countries initiate change of its on-screen presenters had a disability, we can enhance the Paralympic Games expe-
Broadcast coverage like Channel 4’s has cre­ated more opportunities for through laws and a ­ ccessible infrastructure. ­Channel 4 has delivered record audiences for rience, increase the reach of Para sport as a
disabled people to get into sport. People see it and think, ‘I want to try that’.” The Paralympics are different because they Para sport. celebration of human diversity and, ultimately,
offer the prospect to deliver societal change maximise the social impact of the Paralympic
Alex Brooker Journalist, presenter and comedian through sport. Games.

70 71
 FINANCIAL
REPORTS

Argentine swimmer Daniela Gimenez trains

at home during the government-ordered
lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19
in June 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
She works out every morning supervised
by her coach via conference call.

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PRUDENCE AT THE HEART STATEMENT OF
OF IPC’S FINANCIAL FINANCIAL CONDITION
PLANNING IN 2020 (as of 31 December 2020)

2020 was a year like no other for many IPC departments, no more so ASSETS 2017 2018 2019 2020
than Finance. Having to deal with a marked decline in revenues because
Fixed 469,728 785,911 663,664 513,243
of the pandemic, the team worked hard to successfully ensure the IPC’s
sustainable planning remains on track. Current 3,142,079 2,685,437 2,963,545 3,068,188

The IPC appointed Deloitte as independent Because of the cancellations of many sports Advance paid 0 7,547,659 16,545,980 18,351,249
auditors to conduct a voluntary audit of the events and competitions, the expenditure
annual financial statements for the financial of the World Para Sports decreased from
year end 31 December 2020. EUR 5,960,207 to EUR 1,453,382 (down 75.6 per Cash and Bank Balances 8,750,017 16,345,048 17,363,267 19,455,968
cent on 2019).
During the 2020 financial year, the IPC report
total revenues of EUR 19,276,939 and incurred In terms of non-IPC sports, grants total- Prepaid 1,815,269 474,877 380,454 667,489
total expenses of 19,261,609. ling EUR 475,000 were provided to inter-
national federations, while the Association TOTAL ASSETS 14,177,093 27,838,932 37,916,911 42,056,139
IPC REVENUE of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO)
Due to the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 received EUR 25,000. The Agitos Foundation
Paralympic Games and multiple other sport received grants worth EUR 1,425,000.
competitions, the IPC’s revenue for the 2020 Elite athlete, mother and physiotherapist Sandrine Martinet
of France won Para Judo gold in the women’s up to 52kg Project expenses decreased from EUR 1,496,633
financial year decreased by 26.7 per cent
at Rio 2016. She’ll be back in the up to 48kg class at Tokyo in 2019 to EUR 662,547 in 2020, mainly due to
­compared to 2019, falling from EUR 26,287,137 2020.
to EUR 19,276,939
the rescheduling of several Paralympic Games EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 2017 2018 2019 2020
related projects.
Compared to 2019, the specific project reve- In the area of marketing and broadcast-
nue declined by 91.3 per cent to EUR 102,530. ing fees from Paralympic Games Organising
Operational core expenses, including admin- Equity 6,867,253 8,980,499 11,342,223 11,722,552
istration, day-to-day running costs, deprecia-
This is primarily because all activities that we Committees, sponsorship and fundraising
tion of assets and software and staff salaries
planned during the 2020 Paralympic Games efforts, EUR 14,219,078 was raised, an increase
grew slightly to EUR 8,203,355, up 10.9 per Provisions 3,230,715 4,167,270 3,300,090 6,368,853
were shifted to 2021, following the postpone- of 14.1 per cent on 2019.
cent against 2019. The higher number reflects
ment of the Games.
The remainder of the revenue came from mem- mainly the increase of the headcount from Advance received 0 8,604,078 18,655,321 20,108,289
The World Para Sports were heavily impacted bership fees, grants, broadcasting projects, 123 to 134 and the rent of additional office
by the Covid-19 pandemic. Five sports out special project funding and other sources. premises.
of 10 had all their competitions cancelled. Liabilities 1,770,911 3,147,750 2,301,625 1,195,212
Overall, the IPC’s expenditure in 2020
Consequently, the World Para Sports saw their IPC EXPENDITURE
decreased from EUR 26,269,328 to EUR
revenue go down from EUR 5,956,361 in 2019 In March 2020, soon after the postponement
19,261,609 (down 26.7 per cent compared to Deferred 2,308,214 2,939,335 2,317,652 2,661,233
to EUR 884,151 in 2020, a decrease of 85.2 per of Tokyo 2020, the IPC instructed all core
2019).
per cent. departments to reduce their budgets by 20 per
cent in anticipation of the reduced revenues In line with IPC’s prudent risk approach, TOTAL EQUITY AND 14,177,093 27,838,932 37,916,911 42,056,139
resulting from the pandemic. unspent monies of EUR 2,400,000 were LIABILITIES
allocated to a Paralympic Games projects
This meant the amount spent by the main core
dedicated provision.
departments went down from EUR 5,528,743 in
2019 to 3,437,360 in 2020.

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STATEMENT OF INCOME
(as of 31 December 2020)
EXPENSES 2017 2018 2019 2020

REVENUE 2017 2018 2019 2020 Executive Office 1,027,286 1,001,714 831,876 449,941

Membership fees 304,450 304,359 308,470 308,575 Paralympic Games 182,788 197,639 306,594 85,060

Marketing and Broadcasting/ 11,218,905 10,923,742 12,463,636 14,219,078 Administration 7,653,340 6,851,553 7,398,130 8,203,355
Sponsoring/Fundraising
Sport and IFs 474,955 500,000 500,000 500,000
Grants 2,246,381 1,714,428 1,963,897 2,020,773
Athletes Classification, Medical 339,982 774,686 463,571 218,389
Broadcasting projects 1,818,905 1,324,992 1,428,462 871,371 Sports Science

Other 932,626 872,097 1,199,196 870,461 Commercial and Partnerships 185,883 227,162 493,683 239,647

Extraordinary income 0 3,296,013 1,794,181 0 Broadcasting Projects 1,363,384 1,405,959 1,258,188 614,996

Specific 746,784 2,715,433 1,172,934 102,530 Marketing and Communications 450,668 572,931 680,945 716,507

World Para Sports 4,551,551 2,988,469 5,956,361 884,151 Membership Engagement and NPC 2,133,065 2,765,860 2,891,700 1,570,007
Development
TOTAL REVENUE 21,819,601 24,139,534 26,287,137 19,276,939
Other 0 0 1,493,886 1,112,821

Specific Project Expenditure 988,054 3,619,315 1,496,633 662,547

World Para Sports 4,551,551 2,988,469 5,960,207 1,453,382

Allocation to/use of (-) reserve –227,067 121,901 -376,085 3,069,957

funds/provisions (net)

Allocation to earmarked reserves 200,000 1,000,000 0 0

Allocation to unrestricted reserves 2,470,000 2,100,000 2,870,000 365,000

TOTAL EXPENSES 21,793,889 24,127,189 26,269,328 19,261,609

RESULT 25,712 12,345 17,809 15,329

Ricardinho captained Brazil to the football 5-a-side gold at Rio 2016 and will return for Rwanda has qualified for its second consecutive Paralympics at Tokyo 2020 in sitting volley-
Tokyo 2020. He lost his sight aged eight, but has gone on to become one of the most iconic ball. It became the first Sub-Saharan women’s team in history, in any sport, to compete at the
players in the game. Paralympic Games at Rio 2016.

76 77
 THANK YOU TO OUR
PARALYMPIC PARTNERS
WORLDWIDE PARALYMPIC PARTNERS

Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Tel. +49 228 2097-200, Fax +49 228 2097-209
[email protected], www.paralympic.org

© 2021 International Paralympic Committee – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PHOTO CREDITS:
© Getty (Front cover, P4, P7, P9, P11, P12, P14, P16, P26, P28, P29, P30, P31, P38, P40, P41, P43, P44, P48, P50,
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS P51, P58, P62, P63, P72, P74, P76, P77, P78); HTYT (Front cover); Hiroki Nishioka/WPPO (Front cover, P46, P74);
Lima 2019 (P5, P37, P71); Abbas Karimi (P10); Susana Rodriguez (P14); Fabio Torres (P14); Lisa Jo Keith/Blaze Branding (P14);
Richard Kalocsa (P14); UN Development Programme (P14); Bartlomiej Zborowski (P18); Oghenewaire Jennifer Nikoro (P19);
LOC Madeira (P20); WADA (P21); Adrian Stykowski/NPC Poland (P23); Amos Gumulira (P25); MPIX-CPB (P25);
Beijing 2022 (P32); WCF/Alina Pavlyuchik (P35); Alejandra Aybar (P36); UNHCR (P38); Thomas Andersen/TV 2 (P40);
Amy Marren (P40); Time Magazine (P41); Mattel (P41); Eva Pavia (P50); Luc Percival (P50, P54); SWpix.com (P53);
HTYT/Netflix (P60, P61); Lisa Schneider (P66); Toyota (P67); Channel 4 (P68-70).

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