Andrew Parsons looks ahead to the IPC's efforts for the continued growth of the Paralympic Movement.

"Behind the IPC and Paralympic Movement is a monumental team effort. So many people regularly go above and beyond the call of duty for one simple reason, they believe in what we do, they believe Change Starts with Sport and they believe in our vision to make for a more inclusive world through Para sport"

Dear friends,

As we begin 2023, I want to share with you how optimistic and excited I am for the continued growth of the Paralympic Movement.

Without a doubt the last two years were arguably the most demanding in the history of the IPC. During this period, we did not just survive but we thrived.

To stage the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympics within six months of each other took a herculean effort from everyone involved, but the effort was well worth it.

The Tokyo 2020 Games were a great success, while Beijing 2022 witnessed incredible sport with young athletes showing the future of Paralympic winter sport is bright.

Beijing 2022 was also an extremely challenging Games, with the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As we head into 2023, I hope and pray that the conflict in Ukraine ends as soon as possible, that peace is secured, and that no more innocent lives are lost or impacted.

With regards to COVID-19, I am hopeful that we are through the worst and that the sport calendar ahead of us will be uninterrupted, especially with many qualification events for Paris 2024 soon to get underway.

The year ahead is packed full with fantastic sport, including several World and regional Championships.

FIS, as the new body responsible for Para Snow Sports, will hold its first World Championships, while most of the Regional Organizations will have their Games and Championships, in Santiago, Chile, Hangzhou, China, Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Accra, Ghana.

2023 will also mark the one year to go mark until Paris 2024 with up to 3.4 million tickets for the Paralympics going on sale later in the year.

At the same time, we will keep working tirelessly to deliver great Games in Milano Cortina 2026, LA 2028, Brisbane 2032 and we will get to know who will host the Winter Paralympics in 2030.  

Away from the field of play, in the first quarter of 2023 the IPC will publish its new four-year strategic plan. Developed following extensive consultation with IPC members and stakeholders, the plan will detail how we aim to take the Paralympic Movement forward in the coming years.

The review of the IPC Classification Code will continue apace, as will phase two of the IPC’s governance reforms which will be voted upon at the 2023 IPC General Assembly.

For the IPC and the Paralympic Movement to flourish during arguably the most difficult period in modern history has been truly phenomenal.

Thank you to every single athlete, volunteer, IPC member, employee, the IOC, commercial partner, media organisation, and stakeholder who contributes.

Behind the IPC and Paralympic Movement is a monumental team effort. So many people regularly go above and beyond the call of duty for one simple reason, they believe in what we do, they believe Change Starts with Sport and they believe in our vision to make for a more inclusive world through Para sport.

The last 12 months may have been hard, but it has only made the belief in what we do and our passion to deliver change through sport even stronger.

Have a wonderful and peaceful 2023.