January 16 - Sir Philip Craven (pictured) has hosted the annual International Paralympic Committee (IPC) reception which brought together athletes, representatives from sport, the German Government, partners, sponsors and media inside the University Club in Bonn, for a celebration of achievement, and a look ahead to 2010.


Sir Philip, the IPC President, the new Lord Mayor of Bonn, Jürgen Nimptsch and Dr. Gerhard Rupprecht, a member of the Executive Board Allianz SE and Hay K. Yang from Samsung were among the 80 guests to celebrate the New Year.

German athletes, including Rainer Schmidt, Holger Nikelis, Jörg Frischmann, Alexander Spitz also were in attendance, offering their own support and anticipation for the various events in 2010.

A video about the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver was also shown.

Furthermore, a new series of  "Allianz Paralympic Moments" were officially launched, portraying different Paralympic athletes on their way to Vancouver.

Those video clips show the athletes in their private as well as sporting life, take a look at past Paralympic Games and look ahead to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Sir Philip said: "It will be another magnificent year, and the start of a magnificent decade.

"In just less than two months, the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be underway, proving to be a magnificent experience for those who are new to the Paralympic Movement, and evenly inspiring for those of us returning."