Bonn, Germany: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board concluded two days of meetings and announced Sailing, Cerebral Palsy Football, Golf, and Powerchair Football, have all progressed to the next stage of the sports application process for Paris 2024.
The IPC has confirmed the four sports will be up for inclusion on the Paris 2024 Paralympic programme.
The decision from the IPC Governing Board does not mean the four sports are guaranteed to feature at the Paralympics in the French capital in six years’ time. They will now go forward to stage two of the application process, where they will join the 22 existing Paralympic sports.
Sports will have until July 9 to complete application packs that feature a series of questions that aim to give the IPC detailed information regarding a number of issues. It includes each sport’s governance, rules and regulations, associated costs, anti-doping programme compliance and activities, worldwide reach, quadrennial competition programme and procedures to ensure athlete welfare.
The IPC is then scheduled to decide which sports meet the technical requirements for the Games in September 2018. A final decision on the Paris 2024 Paralympic programme is expected to be announced in January 2019.
The IPC announcement marks a boost for World Sailing and International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football in particular as both sports were axed from the programme after Rio 2016. Neither Golf nor Powerchair Football have ever been Paralympic sports.
World Sailing launched a concerted campaign to regain their Paralympic place, including the establishment of a Para sailing strategic plan.
“Moving to the second phase of the application process demonstrates that the International Paralympic Committee have recognised World Sailing’s commitment to increase growth of the sport,” said World Sailing President Kim Andersen. “World Sailing has embraced the vision of the IPC to enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellent and inspire and excite the world.
“Our Para World Sailing initiatives and integration are not just about trying to re-gain inclusion into the Paralympic Sports Programme, but are deeply rooted beliefs within our sport. We need to have inclusive societies, with fully accessible environments that celebrate the capabilities of people with impairments to start sporting activities and to promote safe and fair participation.
“Everyone at World Sailing will continue to work tirelessly to support Para World Sailing and the work of the IPC and we will put forward an outstanding case for the sports re-inclusion this year.”
IPC President Andrew Parsons was eager to thank and congratulate all International Federations that put forward new sports and disciplines for consideration in the Paris 2024 Paralympic programme.
“The fact that six of the 11 applicants will go forward to the next stage underlines the growing strength of sports within the Paralympic Movement,” said Parsons. “These six new sports, together with the 22 existing Paralympic sports, will now take part in the most comprehensive application process in Paralympic history as we aim to ensure that the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games features the best possible sports with the strongest global appeal.”
Additional announcements included how karate and dance sport have been put through to be considered as additions outside of the Games, which could see them demonstrated as exhibition sports.
Surfing has failed with its bid for a place on the programme, along with Poomsae Taekwondo, Trap Shooting, Arm Wrestling and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball.
Surfing, Poomsae Taekwondo and Trap Shooting did not progress as they are currently not widely and regularly practiced in 32 countries, the minimum requirement for Paralympic inclusion. Arm Wrestling and Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 were not considered for the next phase due to a lack of a quadrennial competition program.
