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Andrew Parsons | |
---|---|
Parsons in 2016 | |
3rd President of the International Paralympic Committee | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 8 September 2017 | |
Preceded by | Sir Philip Craven |
Personal details | |
Born | (1977-02-10) 10 February 1977 (age 47) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Occupation | President of the International Paralympic Committee |
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).
Biography
Parsons was born in Brazil to Scottish parents. 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.
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, 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.
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. While addressing the spectators and athletes in attendance at Beijing, in 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.”
Distinctions
- Commander of the Order of Rio Branco
- Diploma of Fair Play, awarded by the International Fair Play Committee during the 2004 Summer Paralympics.
References
- "Andrew Parsons". The International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- "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.
- "Report of the 2020 evaluation commission" (PDF). olympic.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
- ^ "Andrew Parsons - Biography sheet" (PDF). paralympic.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
- "Sir Philip Craven - Biography sheet" (PDF). paralympic.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2018..
- "The Callum Murray Interview - Andrew Parsons". www.sportcal.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Moritsugu, Ken (5 March 2022). "As war rages, Paralympics open in Beijing without Russia". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- "World Fair Play Award Winners". fairplayinternational.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018..