A decision to form the organisation was taken at the IPC General Assembly in Mexico City, with APSO set to represent all International Federations (IF) which govern sports at the Summer and Winter Paralympics.

Similar organisations already exist in Olympic sport with both the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) currently in operation.

SportAccord, an umbrella organisation for Federations of both Olympic and non-Olympic sports, also exists.

APSO will aim to discover common interests among its members and determine a consensus on IPC issues, and will also prepare motions for the IPC General Assembly as well as considering and supporting nominations for key roles.

In addition, the new group will appoint officials to commissions, boards and other organisations where they are invited to have representation, exchange ideas of best practice and provide advice and input to the IPC regarding codes, rules and regulations.

A working group has now been established to take steps to form APSO, as well as arranging the first meeting.

This will include Mark Bullock from the International Tennis Federation, World Archery's Carole Hicks, Eron Main from the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation, Maureen Orchard from the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation and the International Blind Sports Association's Henk van Aller.



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