The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Sochi 2014 today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in regards to the delivery of the Sochi 2014 Excellence Programme, a tailor made education programme to assist Organizing Committees to deliver Paralympic Games of the highest level.

The IPC Academy, IPC’s education arm will co-operate with the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) for the local delivery of this programme.

IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez commented: “Together, the IPC and Sochi 2014 share a common belief in the value of investing in the human capacity – to the people who will ultimately deliver the Winter Games in 2014. The objectives of the Sochi 2014 Excellence Programme however goes even beyond 2014. It will help to create a lasting legacy of leaders locally, and support the ongoing development of sport, and in particular, Paralympic Sport. This programme will also contribute to the economic growth and global profile of Sochi and the region around it.”

“We are delighted that Sochi 2014 has agreed to implement this holistic education programme of the IPC Academy,” he added.

The programme itself involves ten specific modules based on the needs of the Organizing Committee delivered by the IPC Academy with local partners and IPC experts.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014 said: “Russia’s first Paralympic Winter Games will be a catalyst for major changes in our country. This will not only include having facilities and infrastructure that meets the needs of people with a disability but also change the Russian public’s attitude towards disability. The knowledge and experience that the IPC have shared with us during the Debriefing will be incredibly useful in achieving our ambitious goal.”

He added: “The Excellence Programme is a very important part of our human resource development programme and clearly links with our vision in the establishment of the RIOU to partner in the development and delivery of sports education.”

The IPC Academy applies a unique learning format described by the Academy’s Director Chris Solly: “We take a client focused approach to learning requirements with programmes such as “excellence” that is tailored to the needs of the partner and where appropriate, linked to their current work flow requirements”.

The first module will be delivered in September 2010.

More information about the IPC can be found on www.paralympic.org. Information about the IPC Academy is available on http://www.ipc-academy.org.