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
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

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, 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.”^[7]

Distinctions

• Commander of the Order of Rio Branco^[4]
• Diploma of Fair Play, awarded by the International Fair Play Committee during the 2004 Summer Paralympics.^[8]

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..