Andrew Parsons (sports administrator)

Andrew George William Parsons (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈɐndru ˈpaʁsõz]; born 10 February 1977) is a Brazilian sports administrator and journalist. He is the current president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). In 2018, Parsons became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).[1]

Andrew Parsons
Andrew Parsons in 2016
3rd President of the International Paralympic Committee
Assumed office
8 September 2017
Preceded bySir Philip Craven
Personal details
Born (1977-02-10) 10 February 1977
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
OccupationPresident of the International Paralympic Committee

Biography

Parsons was born in Brazil to Scottish parents.[2] He served as chairperson of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee from 2009 to 2017, chairperson of the Americas Paralympic Committee from 2005 to 2009, and as a member of the Nominating Committee for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.[3][4]

He is the current president of the International Paralympic Committee since 8 September 2017. Parsons took over from Sir Philip Craven, who had been in office since 2001,[5] after being elected in the first round in the election held during the 18th assembly of IPC in Abu Dhabi.

Parsons himself does not have a disability, a fact that, he says, takes some observers by surprise.[6]

While attending the opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Paralympics, Parsons declared his horror at the Russian invasion of Ukraine and called on world authorities to promote peace.[7] While addressing the spectators and athletes in attendance at Beijing, China's Bird Nest, Parsons stated that “Tonight, I want, I must begin with a message of peace” and that "As the leader of an organization with inclusion at its core, where diversity is celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified at what is taking place in the world right now.”[7]

Distinctions

References
  1. "Andrew Parsons". The International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  2. "Exclusive: Parsons vows not to be "Sir Philip two" and targets close relationship with IOC boss Bach". www.insidethegames.biz. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  3. "Report of the 2020 evaluation commission" (PDF). olympic.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
  4. "Andrew Parsons - Biography sheet" (PDF). paralympic.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
  5. "Sir Philip Craven - Biography sheet" (PDF). paralympic.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
  6. "The Callum Murray Interview - Andrew Parsons". www.sportcal.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  7. Moritsugu, Ken (5 March 2022). "As war rages, Paralympics open in Beijing without Russia". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  8. "World Fair Play Award Winners". fairplayinternational.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
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