NEWS FROM BEIJING 2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES

Bonn, Germany - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has now published the Independent Observer Report from the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Available on their website, the report is an extensive 16 pages that reflect the programmes observations on various systems and processes during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

The November edition of paraEmotion is now available on ParalympicSport.TV. Inside this month’s edition, Paralympic fans have the opportunity to get a glimpse into some of the spectacular events that were part of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

As part of SPORTEL Monaco 2008, the first HandiTel International Conference will take place on 22 October at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The addition to the programme this year officially opens up the highly-influencial audience and participants to the Paralympic world and its broadcasting possibilities.

Bonn, Germany - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) officially announces that only three anti-doping rule violations occurred during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. All three were in the sport of Powerlifting and happened before competitions began. Because there was no anti-doping rule violation in-competition, the IPC feels the Games to be still a successful showing and of fair competition.

Beijing, China - After 12 days of competition, the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on 17 September 2008 officially ended a period of record-breaking competition and events.

The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award Committee would like to present the two recipients of the award that recognizes elite athletes that have exemplified an exceptional level of determination to overcome their adversities through sports and the Paralympic Games. The Whang Youn Dai Achievment Award will be awarded at the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games by Dr. Whang and Miguel Sagarra, IPC Vice-President.

Beijing, China - With a total of 29 rightsholders covering more than 75 countries worldwide, from all regions (Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania), the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games has the largest number of rightsholding broadcasters in the history of the Parlaympic Games. Currently, the broadcaster with the winning number of hours is China’s CCTV and BTV, with more than 22 hours of Paralympic Games daily on different channels. This includes live programmes, as well as news.

Although the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are not yet finished, the number of new records set is adding up. Each day, with each event, it is a matter of fact now that the athletes have come to the Chinese capital to perform at the highest possible level.

Johnson & Johnson, a sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, in partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation, recently announced the donation of 1,000 sport wheelchairs to the China Foundation for Disabled Persons (CFDP). These specialized wheelchairs will be distributed to 20 community organizations and centers across China that work with people with a disability. The sport wheelchairs will help give more athletes and citizens with a disability the opportunity to achieve a healthy lifestyle through sport.

One male and one female who best exemplify the spirit of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will receive the ‘Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award’. The Prize is for Paralympians that not only achieve sporting excellence, but also exceptionally inspire and excite the world. The winners of the Prize will each receive a medal made out of 75 grams pure gold at the Closing Ceremony on 17 September.

When walking around the Olympic Green or making your way through the halls of the Water Cube, one can easily see that these are modern times that we are living in. And with that progress in architectural design, comes the progress of societal norms. One major evolution with regard to the Games is the role that women have in Paralympic Sport.

Beijing, China - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) today announced two further anti-doping rule violations, which occurred at the occasion of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Beijing, China – The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is proud to announce that the first edition of ParalympicSport.TV’s news-show “SIXTY Seconds” reached more than 600,000 viewers in just two days on the YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/paralympicsporttv. Additionally, several records have been made on the YouTube Channel in terms of comparative views. The channel was number one on 10 September in a number of categories, including “Most Viewed”, “Most Viewed – Directors”, and “Most Viewed – Partners”. This week the channel was also number one in “Most Viewed – Germany”, and number 35 in “Most Viewed – Worldwide”.

Beijing, China - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) today announced the first anti-doping rule violation, which occurred at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Beijing, China - The result of the women’s 5000m T54 race at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on 7 September was withdrawn and the Jury of Appeal has ordered the re-run of the race to be held on 12 September at 9:00. The re-run of the race was decided after a crash that led to only five out of the 11 competitors finishing the race and the injury of three athletes. The Jury of Appeal made the decision after some nations filed appeals and closely examining footage of the race.

Beijing, China - A massive Opening Ceremony in Beijing welcomed the world to the Paralympic Games. The ceremony, which took place in the "Bird’s Nest", was witnessed by a full house of spectators from all over the world.