Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) congratulates Andrew Parsons on his reappointment as President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), following today’s (27 September) decision at the IPC General Assembly in Seoul, Korea.
PNZ Board Chair Jane Rangooni extended her congratulations to President Parsons, acknowledging his leadership and the positive impact he has had on both the Paralympic Games and the wider Paralympic Movement.
She said: “We were lucky to have Andrew in Aotearoa New Zealand this year and all who met him would attest to his visionary leadership and authentic style. This will be needed as the IPC looks to a new agreement with the International Olympic Committee beyond 2032, to continue to grow the impact of the Paralympic Games and the Movement itself.”
PNZ CEO and Secretary General Greg Warnecke also commended the decision, identifying Parsons’ continued commitment to advancing Para sport globally.
He said: “Andrew’s passion and commitment to the Paralympic Movement is clear, and with Paralympian #96 Duane Kale (ONZM) completing his term as IPC Vice President, PNZ looks forward to continuing to work with the IPC President and the new IPC Governing Board, with Milano Cortina 2026 on the horizon, and looking ahead to LA28 and Brisbane 2032.”
Parsons was first appointed IPC President in 2017 and following his reappointment today for a third term he will serve a further four years in the role.
Leila Marques Moto and John Petersson were elected First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively.
Mota is Vice-President of the Portuguese Paralympic Committee and serves on the Executive and Directors Board of the Portuguese Sports Foundation. A four-time Paralympian in Para swimming, Leila was appointed Chef de Mission of the Portuguese team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and previously chaired the Women in Sport Commission of the Portuguese Olympic Committee.
John Petersson is a five-time Paralympian in Para swimming, who represented Denmark from 1984 to 2000, winning 15 medals.
He served two-terms as IPC Governing Member-at-Large between 2013-2017 and 2021-2025, and is currently a member of the IPC Audit, Risk and Finance Board Sub-Committee. His governance career began in 2000 and in 2005 he became Vice-President of NPC Denmark before assuming the Presidency, a role he still holds, in 2018.
