As part of the new agreement, the IPC and Visa will work together over the coming years to create engaging digital media campaigns that support the Games and athletes, and highlight innovative payment technologies around the world.

Visa’s Worldwide Paralympic Partnership with the IPC dates back to 2003 and under the agreement Visa retains exclusive marketing and promotional rights within the Payment Services category and activation opportunities for financial institution clients and merchants throughout the world.

Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee said: “It is fantastic news for the IPC and the whole of the Paralympic Movement that Visa has extended its partnership until at least 2020.

“The Paralympic athletes embody our shared value of acceptance, and the Paralympic Games provide them a stage to share their achievements in a true celebration of life that will inspire fans everywhere to reach their own potential.”

“Visa was the first global sponsor of the IPC and Paralympic Games and over the years they have continually increased their support of the Paralympic Movement and leading Para athletes.

“We greatly value our partnership with Visa and are very excited about the joint digital media campaigns that we will be running between now and 2020.”

“The Paralympic athletes embody our shared value of acceptance, and the Paralympic Games provide them a stage to share their achievements in a true celebration of life that will inspire fans everywhere to reach their own potential,” said Chris Curtin, chief marketing innovation and brand officer at Visa Inc.

“We’re proud to provide this support and wish for a successful hosting of PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and success of Paralympic athletes.”

Visa is the official payment technology partner and only card accepted at all Paralympic Games venues to purchase Paralympic tickets, official Games merchandise, or food and beverages in venues.

As part of its support of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, Visa recently announced its global roster for Team Visa.

USA’s Para biathlete and Para cross-country skier Oksana Masters, Canada’s Para alpine skier Mac Marcoux, South Korea’s Para ice hockey player Jung Seung-Hwan and China’s Para cross-country skier Beibei Chu are the four Paralympic athletes and hopefuls included in the team, alongside a number of Olympic winter athletes.

Visa founded its Team Visa programme in 2000 with the aim of providing Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls with the tools, resources and support they need to achieve their lifelong dreams, both on and off the field of competition and regardless of their origin or background.

Team Visa is unified by athletes who embody Visa’s values of acceptance, partnership and inclusion, with athletic talent matched equally by their character.