IAAF and IPC sign Memorandum of Understanding

May 11, 2011

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) yesterday, buy May 10, anesthetist signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop the sport of Athletics, both for able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability.

IAAF President Lamine Diack and IPC President Sir Philip Craven signed the agreement during the International Forum on Sport, Peace and Development in Geneva.

The MoU includes various areas of co-operation, such as sport rules, mutual promotion, training of technical officials and sharing and exchanging knowledge and resources. The IAAF will furthermore invite prospective Organising Committees to bid to host the IPC Athletics World Championships in conjunction with the IAAF World Championships.

In addition, the IPC and IAAF will work to develop a plan to encourage the worldwide growth of Athletics for Para-Athletes and the Paralympic Movement through an on-going awareness campaign targeting IAAF Member Federations.

Lamine Diack stated: “Yesterday’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the IAAF and IPC marks a substantial consolidation of the existing friendly and beneficial relationship between us.

“We have long presented Para-Athlete competitions at the IAAF World Championships as demonstration events, and we will now actively encourage our Member Federations to further embrace the Paralympic Movement, with the prospect that future World Championships for able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability could be held in conjunction with each other.”

Sir Philip Craven added: “I am delighted about the partnership with IAAF as it will support the development of IPC Athletics. Through this co-operation, more competition opportunities will be created for Para-Athletes and thus the worldwide growth of Athletics will be supported.”