The International Paralympic Committee has entered into a strategic partnership with the Sina Sports division of Chinese internet operator Sina ahead of the start of the 2016 summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro tomorrow (Wednesday).
The deal names Sina Sports as the online partner of the IPC in China. The partnership is designed to expand the IPC’s digital presence in Asia, with the next three editions of the Paralympics after Rio 2016 to be staged in the continent.
Sina Sports has created a dedicated Rio 2016 page on its website, which will feature IPC-provided videos, interviews and articles. Highlights clips will also be published on social media platform Sina Weibo.
The IPC will produce and deliver special interviews and content with Chinese athletes to Sina Sports.
Craig Spence, the IPC’s director of media and communications, said: “With the next three Paralympic Games taking place in Asia after Rio, we felt now was the right time to grow our presence in Asia, and in particular China.
“China has a strong track record of excellence in Paralympic sport and with the Paralympic winter Games taking place in Beijing in six years’ time, we hope this partnership helps to increase awareness of Para sport and leading athletes.”
The 2018 winter Paralympics will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, with Tokyo in Japan set to stage the 2020 summer edition. The Chinese capital of Beijing will host the 2022 winter Games.