International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons is set to be proudly hosted by Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) during an historic tour of Aotearoa New Zealand this week.
Connecting with key strategic partners to help harness the power of the Paralympic Movement and contribute real change to Aotearoa New Zealand, Parsons will participate in a jam-packed schedule once arriving in Auckland on Wednesday (21 May) morning.
Experiencing his second time in Aotearoa New Zealand, the most influential person in the global Paralympic Movement will later on Wednesday morning fly to Wellington where he will be welcomed by Sport NZ CEO Raelene Castle and Sport NZ colleagues, before attending a meeting with Hon. Mark Mitchell, the Minister for Sport and Recreation.
On Thursday, the IPC President since 2017 will be present at a Corporate Breakfast in central Auckland which will feature a panel of three Paralympians – #158 Adam Hall MNZM, #164 Cameron Leslie MNZM and #195 Anna Grimaldi MNZM – and an invited list of key strategic and commercial partners, stakeholders and guests.
He will later attend a private meeting with the Governor General of New Zealand, Her Excellency the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM, QSO, who also serves as PNZ Patron.
The Brazilian-born IPC President will also assist with the presentation of PNZ Order of Merit pins to Paralympian #107 Grant Sharman MNZM and Robyn Scott-Vincent MNZM, and also meet members of the PNZ Athletes’ Council and Staff Team.
On Friday (23 May) – his final full day in Aotearoa New Zealand – he will attend the PNZ Athletes’ Council meeting, as well as watch and present Para swimming medals at the New Zealand Swimming Championships hosted at the Sir Owen G Glenn Aquatic Centre at AUT Millennium. He will fly out of Auckland to Vanuatu on Saturday (24 May) morning as part of his ongoing tour of the Oceania region.
Paralympics NZ Chair Jana Rangooni said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege for the IPC President Andrew Parsons to be here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Paralympic Games are the third largest global sporting event in the world behind the Olympic Games and FIFA Football World Cup. The IPC President’s time here will shine a light on the Paralympic Movement and the transformative power of the Paralympic Games and Para sport, which will help us in our quest for a fully inclusive society in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
IPC President Andrew Parsons said of his upcoming visit to New Zealand: “I’m really excited to be visiting Paralympics New Zealand, a nation with a rich Paralympic history and heritage that regularly punches above its weight in all areas on the world stage.
“During my visit I’m eager to learn more about Paralympics New Zealand’s work to better understand the challenges they are facing and also take in some of their key learnings that have consistently made them one of the best performing nations per capita at the Paralympic Games.
“As with every visit, I’m also keen to meet Para athletes who are the beating heart of the Paralympic Movement.”
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