With more than nine years still to go, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) held workshops with the LA 2028 Organising Committee and various stakeholders last week to kickstart preparations for America’s next Paralympic Games.

Workshops were held in New York and LA with leaders from LA 2028, US Olympic Committee (USOC), NBC and US Olympic and Paralympic Properties (USOPP) to provide a greater understanding of the IPC, evolution of the Paralympic Games and the impact the 2028 Paralympics will have on driving social inclusion in the US.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “The three days of meetings on the east and west coasts were a great success bringing together leaders from key stakeholders to discuss how to amplify the impact of the Paralympics between now and 2028.

“LA 2028 will be a turning point for the Movement and that journey begins now. We are thinking about the Paralympics within everything we do – from operations to marketing to adaptive sport for young kids in our community. We couldn’t be more excited about the road ahead.”

“The Paralympic Games have grown beyond all recognition in recent years but have yet to really make inroads in the US where awareness levels remain relatively low. LA2028 is an opportunity we must fully maximise therefore and over the next nine years I am fully confident we can make a real breakthrough for the Paralympic Movement in the US.

“The energy and enthusiasm displayed by all partners in the meetings was nothing short of electrifying and all involved fully understand the unique opportunity we have ahead of us. Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 will clearly take the Paralympics to the next level, but LA 2028 presents a platform for us to go even further by organising a Games that will transform one of the biggest countries on earth.

“This is the start of a nine-year journey and it is a journey that I fully expect will change the Paralympic Movement forever.”

Casey Wasserman, LA 2028 Chairperson, said: “The Paralympics represent endless possibility to celebrate the human spirit. We are proud to host the Games in 2028 and create new opportunities the Movement has yet to see.

“LA 2028 will be a turning point for the Movement and that journey begins now. We are thinking about the Paralympics within everything we do – from operations to marketing to adaptive sport for young kids in our community. We couldn’t be more excited about the road ahead.”