The six-page guideline document states that social media will help further promote the 2012 Paralympic Games via the vast online community but states that individuals must operate within certain guidelines so as not to cause problems.

"The IPC wants to make the London 2012 Paralympics a truly digital Games," said the IPC media and communications senior manager Craig Spence.

"We want to use the power of social media to spread the Paralympic vision and share the Paralympic experience so that anyone anywhere in the world can be part of these Games.

"In producing the new guidelines we have gone back to the drawing board and also consulted with the IPC Athletes' Council to ensure their views are represented.

"Many of our athletes are already on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

"What these Guidelines aim to do, as well as encouraging them to embrace social media, is also protect the integrity of the Paralympic Games and anyone associated with them."

The IPC have also stated that National Paralympic Committees, International Paralympic Sport Federations and also London 2012 may publish their own social media guidelines for the next year's Paralympics as long as they operate within the framework set by the IPC guidelines.

The guidelines document says: "These guidelines aim to ensure that no one brings the Paralympic Movement or the Games into disrepute and apply to all Accredited Persons at London 2012.

"Social media users can be held personally liable for any commentary deemed to be defamatory, obscene or proprietary.

"In essence, social media users post their content at their own risk and they should make it clear that the views expressed are their own.

"The IPC reserves the right to take any and all other measure(s) it deems fit with respect to infringements of these Guidelines, including taking legal action for monetary damages and imposing other sanctions."

The London 2012 Paralympics will take place from August 29 to September 9 and the IPC social media guidelines can be found on the IPC's website here.

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