International Paralympic Committee

Paralympic Games

Last modified: 2000-01-14 by rick wyatt
Keywords: paralympic games | international paralympic committee | international organization |
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by Jan Oskar Engene, 13 June 1998

• Description
• Paralympic Symbol, Motto and Flag

See also:

• International Olympic Committee
• International Organizations

When the Olympic Games are over and most of the world's attention turns elsewhere, the Paralympic Games take place. Naturally, the Paralympic movement has its own symbol and flag. The flag is white with an emblem made up of what is called Tae-Geuks in different colors in the center. If I am not mistaken, the Paralympic emblem originally had five Tae-Geuks placed three over two, so that it resembled the Olympic rings. I think this had to be changed because of pressure from the International Olympic Committee. The flag is now made up of three Tae-Geuks set one over two.

Games for people disabilities were first held in Rome in 1960. The games in Tokyo in 1964 seems to have been the first Paralympic games to have used a flag. However, the International Paralympic Committee, which is now responsible for organizing the Games, was founded as late as 1989.

Jan Oskar Engene, 13 June 1998

The handbook of the International Paralympic Committee, online at
http://info.lut.ac.uk/research/paad/ipc/handbook.html#Heading3 has this to say about the symbol and flag:

CHAPTER 4 - THE PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT
SYMBOLS, RIGHTS and OBLIGATIONS

3. PARALYMPIC SYMBOL
The Paralympic Symbol consists of the three Tae-Geuks, in blue, red and green, symbolizing the most significant components of the human being : Mind, Body, Spirit. The pantone colors and configurations are outlined in the graphic guidelines "IPC Standard Manual" which is mandatory to be followed for any reproduction of the symbol.

4. PARALYMPIC MOTTO
The Paralympic Motto is "Mind, Body, Spirit", alluding to the most significant components of the human being.

5. PARALYMPIC FLAG
The Paralympic Flag has a white background, with no border. In its center is located the Paralympic Symbol in its three colors.