October 23, 2006 (Bonn, Germany) – Last weekend, Bonn, Germany, home of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) headquarters, was the centre of several IPC Committee meetings.

From October 20-21, the IPC Anti-Doping Committee held their annual meeting, which was the first one of the new committee with participation of its two new members Nicki Vance and Tanja Kari.

The primary focus of the meeting was to review the IPC’s Anti-Doping Programme in its entirety. Key outcomes of the review included the first stages of a draft of a strategic plan for anti-doping education for IPC Sports, discussions regarding the Anti-Doping Programme for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, an initial assessment of the current Out-of-Competition Testing plan and the steps to be taken to more effectiveness in the area of Anti-Doping. Furthermore, the Committee made recommendations to the Governing Board regarding the appointment of members to fill vacant spots on the Committee.

The IPC Women in Sport Committee also met to discuss the Committees’ aims for the next four years, including the increase of awareness and understanding of gender equity within the Paralympic Movement and the development of leadership.

To fulfill these goals in the future, the Committee will disseminate information about IPC Women in Sport initiatives and ongoing achievements and examples of good practice, set up networks in each region linked with Regional Paralympic Committees, further provide opportunities for girls and women to receive leadership training including advocacy and management and will make efforts to organize IPC Regional Women in Sport Leadership Summits in each region before the end of 2008. Furthermore, Tine Rindum Teilmann was named Acting Chairperson of the Committee pending official ratification by the Governing Board in November.

The next meetings of both Committees are scheduled for the summer of 2007.

For more information about the Committees, please visit the official IPC website at www.paralympic.org.