The Barcelona 1992 Paralympics have been credited as one of the best Games in history as well as the competition that helped trigger the exponential growth the Paralympic Movement has enjoyed in the last 20 years.

Sir Philip (pictured), who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and therefore eligible to cast one of the precious votes to decide where the 2020 Games are held, said the Paralympic Movement would be forever grateful for the 1992 Games – which attracted 3,001 athletes from 83 countries – and that Madrid could build on the success of the event 20 years ago.

"Many people talk about the Paralympic Movement coming of age at the last Paralympics in 2008," said Sir Philip at a special event held last night by the Spanish Paralympic Committee in Madrid and attended by HRH Infanta Elena (pictured below).


"The Beijing Games were the best ever however I truly believe the foundations for that success were laid here in Spain 20 years ago when Barcelona staged the Paralympic Games.

"Those Games gave us many firsts.

"It was the first time the crowds made the Paralympics feel like a real, proper sporting event.

"Over 12 days of competition, more than 1.5 million fans flocked to the venues and many more were locked out.

"The atmospheres inside the venues were electric, with fans of all ages showing the same level of passionate and excitable support you'd expect to see and hear at this weekend's El Classico (the high profile football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona).

"Having never finished in the top 10 of the medals table at any previous Games, Spain finished fifth in Barcelona winning 107 medals, including 34 golds.

"Since then continued support from Government and sponsors has seen Spain maintain its position as one of the world's leading Paralympic nations."

Earlier this year, another Briton, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, had backed Madrid's bid because of how successful Barcelona was in 1992.

"Barcelona 1992 changed my life and the whole Paralympic Movement," she had said.

Sir Philip is confident that Barcelona will be a factor in helping Madrid's 2020 bid as they face rivals Baku, Doha, Istanbul and Tokyo.

"I am sure the amazing memories we all have from the Barcelona Games 20 years ago can only benefit Madrid in their quest to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020," he said.


Sir Philip is in the Spanish capital until Sunday (22 April) together with the IPC Governing Board, who will be holding three days of meetings.

On the agenda at the 61st IPC Governing Board meeting are update presentations from future Organising Committees of the Paralympic Games, the IPC's audited accounts for 2011 and a number of proposals for approval from the various IPC Standing Committees.

The IPC Anti-Doping Statistics for 2011 will be also presented together with the qualification criteria for the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics.

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