Andrew Parsons is serving his second term as President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), first elected in 2017. Under his leadership, he secured a long-term partnership with the IOC through 2032 and championed the WeThe15 human rights initiative for persons with disabilities. Parsons successfully led the Paralympic Movement through the pandemic, organizing the Tokyo 2020, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022, and, most recently, the Paris 2024 Games. He is now overseeing preparations for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026, LA28, and Brisbane 2032 Games. As an IOC Member, Parsons serves on several IOC Commissions and has been active in Brazilian Paralympic sports for many years.
Andrew Parsons calls for collective action to challenge perceptions of disability and promote inclusivity.
"Nothing teaches you better life skills than the unifying power of sport"
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), speaks about the celebration of human potential and what can be achieved when people are together.
‘Through the power of sport, let us show world leaders that unity is possible, that we can come together as rivals in peace, play by the rules, and positively impact society’, you said in your speech at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games: What role can the Paralympics play in bringing humanity together and uniting it?
I think the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games showed more than ever the unifying power of sport. At a time of several global conflicts, the Games brought together 4,400 athletes from 169 delegations in peace. The Paralympic Village was harmony personified, while the field of play which pitted athletes and teams together as rivals saw everyone play by the rules and respect each other.
To what extent can Paralympic athletes challenge stigmatization through their performances, change attitudes and redefine the boundaries of what is considered possible?
The Paralympic Games are a celebration of human potential. They are an opportunity to show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when barriers to success are removed.
I’m sure that anyone who watched the Paralympic Games for the first time in Paris did not focus on disability by the end of the competition, instead the focus will have switched to sport and athletic performance.
In many parts of the world, there is a stigma attached to disability. Through their performances athletes change attitudes towards disability. Whether it is Germany’s Markus Rehm leaping close to nine metres in the long jump or Brazilian swimmer Gabriel Araujo captivating crowds, their sporting performances redefine the limits of what people think is humanly possible.
Importantly these changes in attitudes lead to greater opportunities for persons with disabilities. Now, if barriers to success can be removed elsewhere, such as in education, the workplace and civil society, then persons with disabilities can thrive in life just like anyone else and the world will be far more inclusive.
What does it mean to be united? Can you share a personal experience in relation to the Paralympic Movement?
When I think of the word “united” I always think of togetherness and what can be achieved when people are together and wanting to achieve something. I think the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are a great example of this. The IPC, Paris 2024, National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, national and local authorities, Media Rights Holders and Marketing Partners were all united in wanting to make the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games the greatest ever. Everyone bought into the same vision and goal.
The result was the delivery of a very special event which engaged new audiences globally not just in Paralympic sport but the mission of the Paralympic Movement. Paris 2024 was without doubt our greatest Paralympic Games to date.
Despite sports' unifying power, challenges like racism and discrimination still exist. How can organizations and sponsors can work together to address these issues and promote togetherness?
There are 1.3 billion persons with disabilities on this planet, 15% of the population. They are the largest marginalised group on earth. For the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the IPC, Paris 2024 and marketing partners worked together to promote Para athletes, and therefore profile the wider population of persons with disabilities. Marketing partners can now go one step further, going beyond just highlighting the issue. They can take the lead in removing the barriers to success for persons with disabilities, by employing more persons with disabilities in their workforce.
What advice would you give to young athletes and fans about the importance of unity in sports and life?
In my view nothing teaches you better life skills than sport. To bring rivals together to interact fairly and by the rules is very special.
About Andrew Parsons
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