Andrew Parsons (Photo IPC)
Andrew Parsons was re-elected President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for a third four-year term at the 2025 IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea earlier today.
The Brazilian received 109 of the 177 valid votes to be chosen over fellow presidential candidate Dong Hyun Bae of South Korea who received 68 votes. There were no abstentions.
Parsons, the former President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and Americas Paralympic Committee, was first elected to the IPC Governing Board in 2009. Before becoming the IPC’s third President in 2017, he served as Vice-President between 2013 and 2017.
During his first eight years as President, Parsons secured a long-term partnership with the IOC through to 2032 and changed the IPC’s strategic direction. Today, in addition to strengthening member organisations and delivering exceptional Paralympic Games, the IPC showcases the impact the Paralympic Movement’s activities have on driving social inclusion.
Parsons successfully steered the Paralympic Movement through the pandemic and has overseen the successful delivery of the Tokyo 2020, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were the “most spectacular” in history setting several new benchmarks and attracting a record number of NPCs and athletes.
The IPC General Assembly also voted not to maintain the partial suspension of the National Paralympic Committee of Russia.
Having been partially suspended at the 2023 IPC General Assembly for breaches of its constitutional membership obligations, this decision means NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, in accordance with the IPC Constitution. The IPC will work with NPC Russia to put practical arrangements in place for this as soon as reasonably possible.
In reaching their decisions, IPC member organisations made up of National Paralympic Committees, International Federations and International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled attending the 2025 IPC General Assembly first voted against a motion to fully suspend NPC Russia (111-55 with 11 abstentions).
IPC member organisations then voted against a motion to partially suspend NPC Russia (91-77 with 8 abstentions), meaning the NPC regained its full IPC membership rights. For a motion to be passed, a majority of 50%+ 1 of all votes cast was required.
With regards to NPC Belarus, the 2025 IPC General Assembly voted against motions to fully suspend (119-48 with 9 abstentions) and partially suspend (103-63 with 10 abstentions) the NPC.
