International Paralympic Committee

Hello! We are the International Paralympic Committee, but you can call us the IPC. Our name might sound long, but our mission is clear: we are the global organization in charge of the Paralympic Movement. A big part of our job, and the one you might know best, is organizing the Paralympic Games. This is a major international sporting event where amazing athletes with disabilities from all over the world come together to compete.

Before we existed, there were many different sports groups for people with disabilities scattered across the globe. Each group did great work, but they weren't always working together. People realized that if these groups could unite, they could do so much more to support athletes and grow their sports. That’s why we were created. On September 22nd, 1989, we were officially formed to bring all of these different organizations together. Our founding was a promise to athletes everywhere that we would work as one strong, unified team to help them achieve their dreams.

Once we were established, we had a lot of work to do. Our first big responsibility was organizing the Paralympic Games on our own. In 1992, we successfully hosted our very first Games. It was an important moment for us, proving that our new, united structure could handle such a huge and wonderful event. But an even bigger moment for us came in 2001. That year, we made a special agreement with the International Olympic Committee—the group that runs the famous Olympic Games. This agreement was a turning point for the Paralympic Movement.

The partnership meant that from then on, the same city that hosted the Olympics would also host the Paralympics just a few weeks later. This was fantastic news for our athletes and fans. It meant that the Paralympics would be held in the world's best stadiums, arenas, and swimming pools. It also meant that the world's attention would already be focused on that city. News reporters and television crews who were there for the Olympics could now stay to share the incredible stories of our Paralympians. This new visibility helped the Paralympic Games grow faster than ever before. More people learned about Para sport, and soon, more countries were sending teams to compete. We also saw more sports added to the program, and the number of athletes taking part grew and grew, making the competitions more exciting each year.

Today, we continue our work of organizing the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. But our mission is about so much more than just sports competitions. We believe that sport is a powerful tool for changing the world for the better. We want to show everyone what people with disabilities can achieve, both on and off the field of play. Our goal is to help build a more inclusive world, which is a world where everyone is welcomed, valued, and treated with respect, no matter their abilities. We use the incredible performances of our athletes to challenge stereotypes and inspire people everywhere.

To make this vision a reality, we support athletes and sports organizations in more than 180 countries around the world. We help them develop their local programs and promote Para sport so that more people have the chance to participate. Whether someone wants to play for fun or dream of one day becoming a Paralympian, we want to help create those opportunities. We truly believe in the power of sport to transform lives and societies, and we are proud to lead a movement that celebrates human achievement and spirit.