Paris 2024: IPC President meets NRW Premier at Paralympics
North Rhine-Westphalia is home to International Paralympic Committee’s headquarters 06 Sep 2024
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons has met North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) Premier Hendrik Wüst during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games to discuss strengthening their partnership.
The IPC works with several governmental partners such as the federal government of Germany, the state of NRW and the City of Bonn, where it is located. Collaborations include logistical and financial support as well as implementing joint events.
Since the organisation was founded in 1989, its German government partners have provided consistent support, including office space for its both its former and current headquarters.
On 22 April 2024, the IPC moved into the former state representative building of NRW, which boasts a rich history as the site where important political decisions at both state and federal level were made from 1955 to 2000. An array of accessible and inclusive features were added to the now barrier-free building to suit the needs of the organisation through significant efforts of the state government.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President said: “The state government of NRW has been a steadfast supporter and partner of the IPC, and it was fantastic that they came to see our work first-hand at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
"We are thankful to the investment it has made over the last years to ensure that we have an exemplary barrier-free home in Bonn.
“We are very pleased that Para sport also plays an important role in North Rhine-Westphalia and hope that its significance will continue to grow in the years to come.
"For us at the IPC change starts with sport and we look forward to continued work with the government in this regard.”
The International Paralympic Committee was founded in Düsseldorf in 1989 and has been based in Bonn since 1999.
