IPC pleased with ‘significant progress’ made towards staging Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
Global governing body highlights accessibility legacy after two-day visit to Rio for meetings with organising committee and governments
Left to right: IPC Vice President Andrew Parsons, Rio 2016 CEO Sidney Levy, IPC CEO Xavi Gonzalez and IPC Paralympic Games Integration Director Thanos Kostopoulos take part in the sixth Project Review (Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has said it is pleased with the “significant progress” that has been made towards staging the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games following its latest visit to the city.
Following two days (10-11 November) of meetings with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee during the sixth IPC Project Review, the Paralympic Movement's global governing body highlighted the legacy of improved accessibility the Games will leave to the city.
As well as hearing from the organising committee about its ongoing preparations, the IPC also received updates from the federal, state and city governments in a session that was attended by Eduardo Paes, the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro.
Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC's Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have seen significant progress on all the areas we have reviewed. In particular, we are really satisfied with the more integrated approach taken by the city and state governments and Rio 2016 on the accessibility programme.
“We have now a much better picture of all the accessibility interventions across the venues, the last mile and the transport network. There is still a lot of work to do, but the plans are in place and this collaborative approach will help to ensure the proper implementation of accessibility solutions not only for the Games but the long-term benefit of the citizens of this great city.”
Andrew Parsons, Rio 2016 Paralympic Integration Committee Chairman, Brazilian Paralympic Committee President and IPC Vice President said: “We have had two days of very productive discussions. As well as working on the preparations for the Games themselves, we are focused on the transformation of Rio into a city for all.
“There is a lot of work in front of us, but we are confident we are moving in the right direction and making good progress on the journey towards hosting the first ever Paralympic Games in South America."
Gonzalez said it was vital to continue increasing awareness about the Paralympic Games and further engage stakeholders and partners in the next 12 months. “The plans outlined by Rio 2016 include several important announcements and new concepts that we are confident will achieve the targeted outcomes,” he said.
In December, Rio 2016 will stage a second NPC Open Day, giving National Paralympic Committees the opportunity to learn more about preparations for the Games.
