IPC moves into “exemplary” headquarters in Bonn

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) began a new chapter in its short but illustrious history on Monday, 22 April, when it moved into its new headquarters in Bonn, Germany.

Following five years of extensive renovations that made the site one of the most accessible office spaces in Germany, Team IPC moved into Dahlmannstrasse 2, the former State Representation building. Located next to the river Rhine and adjacent to former parliamentary district and the UN Campus, the IPC’s new headquarters is approximately 500m from its former home on Adenauerallee.

Resulting from significant efforts by the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the IPC’s new headquarters boasts an array of accessible and inclusive features. This includes 157 fully accessible workstations, six elevators, accessible bathrooms, and mini kitchens throughout the building on every floor, automatic doors for ease of access, and tactile paving – including throughout the garden - for those with a vision impairment.

Two-time Paralympian Mike Peters, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said: “The move into our new headquarters marks a historic day for the IPC and provides us with an even stronger platform to grow the Paralympic Movement from our home here in Bonn.

“Since the IPC arrived in the former West German capital in 1999, we have enjoyed meaningful growth. Today we organise one of the world’s biggest and most impactful sport events in the Paralympic Games and work tirelessly each day to strengthen and support our 200+ member organisations so they can better serve athletes. We pride ourselves on the fact that our transformational work also advances inclusion in communities, cities, and countries around the globe.

“Due to our growth over the last 25 years, Team IPC has been divided across several buildings in Bonn. Today’s move into our new home has marked the first time in over a decade that the whole of Team IPC – a group of more than 130 committed individuals from 47 nations – were able to work under the same roof. This is a game-changer for our members and for us as this space will positively impact the way we work. It is also good timing, we now enter the final preparations for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

“We could not be more thankful to the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community as well as the City of Bonn for making this all possible. Their support of the IPC has been critically important and steadfast, and it is thanks to them that our new headquarters is exemplary in its fully accessible design.”

The IPC’s move to Dahlmannstrasse 2 was made possible thanks to the combined efforts of the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), City of Bonn, and Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. In 2018 the parties agreed to find a new location for the IPC’s growing workforce. In January 2019, the cabinet of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia agreed to provide the IPC with the property of the former State Representation, a building which boasts a rich history and where important state and federal political decisions were made from 1955 to 2000.

The IPC, the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, was founded in Dusseldorf, Germany, on 22 September 1989. Led by its founding President Dr Bob Steadward, the IPC opened its first headquarters at Adenauerallee 212-214, opposite the city’s Palais Schaumburg, the former first official residence and office of the German Chancellor, in 1999 with 10 full-time staff members.

Nancy Faeser, Federal Minister of the Interior and Sports Minister of Germany, said: "We are delighted that the International Paralympic Committee will continue to be at home here in Germany and is now moving into a new building in Bonn. I would like to thank the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the City of Bonn for making this possible together. The Paralympic Movement can thus continue to promote inclusion and acceptance in sport from Germany. The Paralympic Games send out strong signals for the equal participation of people with disabilities - far beyond sport. As the Ministry of Sport, we will continue to promote this."

Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, commented: “North Rhine-Westphalia and sport, a perfect match. The establishment of the International Paralympic Committee in the ‘Federal City‘ of Bonn is further testimony to the overall conditions that have turned our state into such an outstanding investment destination.  Bonn’s international environment, in tandem with the multitude of top-notch international sporting events hosted by NRW year after year, makes the city a perfect location and a proud home to the IPC.“

Katja Dörner, Lord Mayor of Bonn, added: “I am delighted that we have succeeded in providing the IPC with first-class accommodation tailored to the needs of its staff, thereby strengthening Bonn as the headquarters of the International Paralympic Committee in international competition. I would like to sincerely thank the Federal Government and the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia for their tremendous support. The IPC is an important ambassador for inclusion in sports and society with worldwide appeal and thus also contributes to the promotion and visibility of our city in the world.“