Torino, Italy – The preparations for the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games are well underway. This is the result of the first visit of the Paralympic Games Liaison Committee of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to the Torino 2006 Organizing Committee (Toroc), which
was concluded today.

The Paralympic Games, which are the equivalent to the Olympic Games for athletes with a disability, will take place shortly after the Olympic Games, from 10 to 19 March 2006, using the same sporting facilities.

Around 1,200 participants (including athletes and officials) from more than 40 countries will be involved in 4 sports (Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling). A new sport will be introduced on the Paralympic programme in Torino: Wheelchair Curling.

During the two days of meetings, the IPC Liaison Committee was given a general overview and was informed about progress made in sport, venues, image & communication, education, marketing, international relations & services, client services, games services, security and technology. Said François Terranova, Chairperson of the IPC Games Liaison Committee:

‘This is a great opportunity for Torino and entire Italy to enhance the visibility of sports for athletes with a disability and the visibility of the community of persons with a disability as a whole.’

The commitment of the entire Toroc staff led by the CEO, Valentino Castellani, who opened the meeting, impressed the members of the Committee. Tiziana Nasi, Toroc President Paralympics commented: ‘There have been two days of intensive work, necessary to establish which the synergies and the differences of the Olympics and Paralympics are. The
two sport events have a different personality and are two distinct events. All the same, the strategy must be common – above all in marketing and communications.’

This was the first time that an IPC Games Liaison Committee meeting was held directly following the IOC Co-ordination Commission. This procedure will also be followed in the future due to positive synergies.

For further information, please contact:

Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and
Communication Director on +49-228-2097180, e-mail:
Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or http://www.paralympic.org.