(ATR) Tangible legacy from the Rio 2016 Paralympics is coming in March, in Sao Paulo.
The Brazilian Paralympic Center will host the 2017 Youth Parapan American Games on March 20-25. It will be the first multi-sport event hosted in Brazil since the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The center opened in May 2016, accommodating 15 para-sports.
Andrew Parsons, Brazilian Paralympic Committee President and IPC Vice-President, tells Around the Rings the center has plans to expand to more sports and host smaller competitions. Talks to expand the number of sports hosted by the center are underway but depend on "the strategy of each national federation."
Attendance to the Youth Parapan American Games will be free, as the goal of the event is to provide young athletes with an international competition to further their experience. The competition schedule is in the works, meaning the final number of competitions has not been decided.
"[These] very young athletes who have problems getting international appearances will get that in Sao Paulo," Parsons said. "These athletes are looking ahead at maybe Tokyo 2020 and the Paralympic Games in 2024."
Usage of the center will not be confined to Brazilian athletes. Parsons says deals are in the works to bring athletes from other countries in Latin America as well as Africa to train in Sao Paulo.
"We would like this to be an international training center," Parsons added. "It’s part of our commitment for Brazil and in the region. Even after the games we have this commitment to help the Americas region to develop Paralympic sport."
At a time where the physical legacy of the Rio 2016 Games is in limbo, Parsons says it is important to look to the future as well as the intangible legacy the Paralympic Games left on the Brazilian people.
"If you remember the 2.1 million people [came] to the games attending the competitions," Parsons said. "There is a new understanding in Brazil around Paralympic sports and a new perception of those who participate in the sports. The most important legacy is in the intangible one and we have some physical legacy planned with sport venues available to the Brazilian sport community both in Rio and in Sao Paulo."
Presidential Decision Coming After March
Andrew Parsons told ATR that he has given thought to running for IPC President later this year, but national obligations come first.
Elections for a new IPC President will come at the committee’s General Assembly this year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Phil Craven has held the IPC presidency since 2001 and is ineligible to run for a new term.
"What I am doing right now is focusing on my last three months as Brazilian Paralympic Committee President; we have elections in March," Parsons said. "We have to organize this competition and renew some sponsorship as well.
"I’ve held numerous positions in the Paralympic movement, and [running for president] would be considered a natural next step. It is something I’ve considered, but I am focusing on coming up with a concrete position after the national elections."
Written by Aaron Bauer
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