The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have signed a new agreement that confirms the Olympics and Paralympics will continue to be hosted together until at least 2032.

The new deal builds on the existing partnership, which was put into place before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It is currently mandatory for both events to happen back-to-back and that will remain the case until at least 2032.

The IOC also vowed to increase the visibility of the Paralympics and the Paralympic brand, while also trying to implement its Agenda 2020 – the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympics movement.

“Enhancing the cooperation between the Olympics and Paralympics Movement was one of the key recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020,” IOC  president Thomas Bach said.

“Therefore, the IOC is pleased to strengthen its substantial support to the IPC and the entire Paralympic Movement because we share so many of the same values and objectives.”

STRENGTHENING THE OLYMPICS & PARALYMPICS

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, added: “Strengthening the relationship with the IOC and securing the future of the IPC and the Paralympic Movement was my number-one priority when I was elected as IPC President last September.

“Therefore, I am delighted that we have signed a historic long-term new partnership agreement and can now look forward to an exciting future working together.

“There can be no doubt that the IPC and the Paralympic Movement would not be where it is today without the support and cooperation of the IOC.  Since our first formal agreement signed in 2000, the Paralympic Games and the Movement as a whole have grown beyond all recognition.

“Both organisations share a passion that sport can change lives and that sport can change the world.  Working together and even closer into a fourth decade will further the impact both of our work has on society.

“It is fitting that this agreement is signed here in South Korea, as it was in this country that the Olympic and Paralympic Games came together as one sports event in Seoul in 1988.  Thirty years on, we are here in PyeongChang for the biggest Paralympic Winter Games to date featuring a record number of athletes, countries, broadcasters and media.”