TORINO, Italy — This year people in the United States can tune in to an Internet television channel to see live coverage of the Paralympic Winter Games. The Web site, www.paralympicsport.tv, offers live coverage as well as footage from previous Paralympic Winter Games, including Örnsköldsvik in 1976 and Salt Lake City in 2002.
“For the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, ParalympicSport.TV is expected to provide over 100 hours of live coverage from all four winter sports — Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling — as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies,” said IPC President Sir Philip Craven. “In addition to the live coverage, the IPC will also provide a daily highlights package with the best performances from the previous days’ competitions.”
Charlie Huebner, chief of staff for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the channel could be great for increasing visibility and awareness of Paralympic sport across the country. “This webcast presents an incredible opportunity for Paralympic sport in the U.S.,” he said. “Millions of people across the country will have an opportunity to watch the Paralympic Games and be introduced to the Paralympic movement, and we hope that it will inspire people with physical disabilities to get involved in Paralympic sport programs.”
ParalympicSport.TV, a 24/7 television channel broadcasting developed and managed by Narrowstep, Inc., via the Internet, provides both regular or full screen viewing. Viewers can watch live and delayed programming, or see the coverage on demand later free of charge.
“The Paralympic Games have made it on many television programs in various countries. ParalympicSport.TV will now create opportunities in countries where there is no traditional television broadcast and satisfy the demand for additional content in other markets, reaching a worldwide audience,” commented IPC Media and Communication Director Miriam Wilkens.
“The functionality of our system and the top class video quality makes viewing a hugely enjoyable experience,” said Narrowstep COO Clifford Webb. “Embracing a new medium in this way to broaden coverage of the sports is a tremendous initiative by the IPC.”
In addition to being Worldwide Partners of the IPC, Samsung and Visa are the presenting sponsors of this project. The long-term goal of ParalympicSport.TV is to become a global media platform for Paralympic and IPC sport, also providing access to images from other competitions and activities.
Source: U.S. Paralympics
