Paralympic Games Representatives Meet In Athens
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ATHENS, Greece, September 30. THE 2004 Paralympic Games Chefs de Mission Seminar was concluded successfully at the Caravel Divani Hotel, with a record turnout of 200 representatives from 70 countries (54 countries participated in Sydney).
Delegations from the Organising Committees of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games also attended the Seminar.
During the four day seminar (24-27 September), the delegations were briefed on a number of issues regarding the Athens Paralympic Games such as; registration procedures, security, Paralympic Village operations and services, competition venues, health services, doping control, accommodation, media accreditation and tickets. The delegations also visited the Paralympic Village and expressed their satisfaction with the progress of preparations and the high quality of the venues.
Addressing the representatives ATHENS 2004 Managing Director, Ioannis Spanudakis, underlined that the Seminar contributed significantly to the immediate briefing on the services to be offered at the 12th Paralympic Games and clarified many points he was asked about.
ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games General Manager, Ioanna Karyofylli, stressed that the ATHENS 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games considers the Paralympic Games on a par with the Olympic Games. She also underlined that it is the first time in the history of the events that athletes will not pay participation fees for the Paralympic Games.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Vice President and IPC Coordination Committee President, Francois Terranova, expressed his satisfaction with the pace of preparations and the excellent cooperation between the IPC, ATHENS 2004 and the Greek government.