Andrew Parsons Faces First Challenge in Bid for Third Term as IPC President
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is set for a leadership election on September 27 in Seoul, South Korea, where current President Andrew Parsons will contend with a challenge from Dong Hyun Bae for a third term at the helm of the organization. The IPC announced the slate of candidates today for election to its governing board at this year’s IPC General Assembly.
Parsons, who first assumed the presidency in 2017, succeeding Sir Philip Craven after his 16-year tenure, was unopposed in his 2021 re-election. His initial success and subsequent unchallenged second term have established him as a prominent figure in the Paralympic movement. However, this year marks the first time Parsons will face a direct challenge for the position.
The election takes place under a newly adopted IPC Constitution, effective since June 28, 2024, which restructures the governing board. The board will now consist of one president, two vice-presidents, and seven members-at-large, alongside the chairperson and first vice-chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council, and two appointed members.
Bae currently serves as the head of the Korea Para Nordic Skiing Federation and will present a new vision for the IPC’s future. Prior to his role with the IPC, Parsons held leadership positions within the Brazilian sporting world, serving as president of both the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the Americas Paralympic Committee.
The competition for the two vice-president roles is robust, with seven candidates vying for the positions. A key stipulation outlined in the new IPC Constitution dictates that the first and second vice-presidents must be of different genders. The candidates for first vice-president are Chelsey Gotell (Canada and World Boccia), Leila Marques Mota (Portugal), and Ming-Chu Mu (Chinese Taipei). Contenders for the second vice-president position include Kurt Fearnley (Australia), John Petersson (Denmark), Juan Pablo Salazar (Colombia), and Nick Webborn (Great Britain).
Furthermore, a substantial pool of 28 candidates is competing for the seven member-at-large roles. The IPC has mandated that at least three elected members be female and at least three be male, with one position remaining open to ensure diversity within the governing body.
The upcoming election represents a pivotal moment for the IPC, as it navigates a changing landscape and seeks to build upon the successes of recent Paralympic Games. The results in Seoul will undoubtedly shape the future direction of the organization and the Paralympic movement as a whole.
