Olympia:”Historical step”: IPC and IOC extend contract until 2032

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have extended their cooperation until 2032. IOC President Thomas Bach and IPC Chairman Andrew Parsons signed an agreement to this effect on Saturday in the margins of the Paralympics in Pyeongchang. The long-term contract provides for a strengthening of relations between the two organisations.

The IOC is pleased to “reinforce its support for the IPC and the entire Paralympic Movement because we share so many values and goals,” said Bach, referring to a “historic step in the IOC-IPC partnership. Bach went on to say that they wanted to “make better use of the synergies in order to develop a corporate identity for the Olympic and Paralympic Games”. There is “great potential”.

Securing the future of the IPC has been a “top priority” since its election in September 2017, Parsons stressed. There is “no doubt,”the Brazilian said,”that the IPC and the Paralympic Movement would not be where they are today without the support of the IOC.

Both organizations share the passion that sport can change life and the world,”said Parsons. Among his predecessor, Philipp Craven, the relationship between IOC and IPC, which has been contractually linked since 2000, has not always been free of tension.

The new contract stipulates, among other things, that the organisers of the Olympic Games will continue to organise the Paralympics. IPC and IOC want to deepen cooperation in implementing the Olympic Agenda 2020. In this context, Bach spoke of “sustainability”. Above all, however, the agreement provides financial security for the IPC over the next 14 years.