ATRadio: New Era, New Challenges for Paralympic Movement

(ATR) "Change Starts with Sport" became the new brand narrative of the International Paralympic Committee as it celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.

Andrew Parsons assumed the presidency of the IPC, taking over from Philip Craven, in September 2017. Considering the expanded coverage, exposure, interest and development of the Paralympics, expectations for Tokyo 2020 were high.

Covid-19 sent the Paralympics off course and now Parsons and the IPC must develop a new strategy, along with Tokyo 2020 organizers, to stage a downsized Paralympics, August 24 – September 5, 2021.

"We know that the economy of the world has already been hit pretty hard because of the pandemic, and the Games, from next year, need to reflect that," Parsons tells ATR’s Brian Pinelli in the latest video edition of ATRadio.

"We don’t need any magnificence or luxury – what we need is the athlete experience preserved, the spectator and viewer experience preserved. At the end of the day, what is fundamental is the performance of the athletes."

Parsons – also the president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee since 2009 – says that relations with Thomas Bach and the IOC are the strongest that they’ve been over the IPC’s three-decade existence.

"I think Thomas has understood not only what the Olympics can bring to the Paralympic movement which is quite obvious – the platform, resources, exposure, sport - it’s what the Paralympics can bring to the Olympic movement.

"He really understands that and it’s a true partnership."

Homepage photo: Ralf Kuckuck/IPC