alt SEBASTIAN COE, the chairman of London 2012, and Sir Philip Craven, the President of the International Paralympic Committee, were among several dignatries who gathered for the annual IPC reception at the headquarters of the Deutsche Telekom AG in Bonn tonight.

 

The Lord Mayor of Bonn, Bärbel Dieckmann, State Secretary Dr. Christoph Bergner. Dr. Karl-Gerhard Eick, chief financial officer and deputy chairman Deutsche Telekom AG, Dr. Gerhard Rupprecht, member of the executive board Allianz SE were also among the guests and speakers to celebrate the beginning of the Chinese “Year of the Rat”.

 

In his welcoming speech, Philip looked back at the year that had past, highlighting the Arafura and Rio 2007 Parapan American Games, the International Paralympic Day in Berlin as well as the successful IPC General Assembly in Seoul, Korea.

 

Looking ahead, he said he was confident that the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will be a next highlight and will once again inspire and excite the world.

 

He said: “Tonight we have our sights set on the next challenge, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, which will take place in just over six months from today.

 

"The preparations are well underway and from all I have seen in Beijing, I can only recommend that you all attend the Games and watch the athletes compete at their best.".