Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Nov 22 (IBNS): The International Paralympic Committee's London Debriefing kicked off Wednesday afternoon here at the Windsor Barra Hotel.
The IPC's London 2012 Debriefing will continue from Nov 21 to 22. The event, which is part of the transfer of knowledge Excellence Programme, will feature discussions regarding planning, operational and technical elements of organising the Paralympic Games, informed officials.
The sessions will touch upon subjects such as spectator experience; communication and promotion; commercial and marketing; media; the Paralympic family; integration; inclusion and accessibility; ceremonies; athletes and official competitions.
The transfer of knowledge event featured members of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and Organising Committees from Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and Pyeongchang 2018, as well as representatives from the 2020 candidate cities-Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul.
The opening plenary session was attended by IPC President Philip Craven, IPC Chief Executive Xavier Gonzalez, LOCOG Chief Executive Paul Deighton, LOCOG Director of Paralympic Integration Chris Holmes; Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman and Brazilian Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.
In his opening speech Craven said that London held the finest Paralympic Games ever.
"These were the finest Games, and I am sure of this because I was told by the athletes themselves. The London Games exceeded expectations and raised the bar for the ones in the future. Now the baton is with Rio, which has the challenge of hosting even better Games. I know Rio can do it. There is always room for improvement," he said.
Deighton said: "One of our aims was to change perceptions, towards disability. In order to leave that legacy, we needed to host amazing Games. We hope the Games we delivered will inspire a generation and delivery lasting attitudinal change."
Nuzman thanked the IPC, LOCOG, the Rio 2016 team and government partners for their attendance and congratulated Andrew Parsons for the Brazilian Paralympic athletes' excellent performance at the London Games.
"London hosted the best Paralympic Games ever and confirmed that Paralympic sports attract crowds. We had great examples, like the volunteers, that we plan to replicate in 2016. It is our task to present Games of the same level. We are determined to do our very best," Nuzman said.
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a private not-for-profit sports organisation established by Brazilian Olympic Confederations, the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee. Its mission is to promote, organise and deliver the Rio 2016™ Olympic and Paralympic Games, in accordance with the guidelines laid out by the Host City Contract, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the World Anti-Doping Agency, and under the Brazilian Law, the Olympic Charter and the IPC Handbook.
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be held from Sept 7 to 18, with 4,200 athletes from more than 150 countries expected to compete. With the addition of paratriathlon and paracanoe from 2016, the Paralympic Games programme has grown to 22 sports.
