Gargi Raut
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Paul Fitzgerald, Head of World Para Athletics, addressed the media at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi during the ongoing World Para Athletics Championships. The two acknowledged India’s rapid transformation into a para sporting hub.
Fitzgerald, who has led World Para Athletics since 2022, described the championships as a “great opportunity on so many fronts”. He also spoke about how Indian para-athletes have also progressed competitively over the past decade. He recalled how India had only won two medals at the 2015 Doha World Championships compared to the 17 medals that they won last year in Kobe.
“The medal table here in New Delhi is already ticking, every world championship is an opportunity to show the world what’s possible for 1.2 billion people with disability, excellence, high performance, and a sense of community,” he said. “India’s growth is inspiring, and the government’s support has been evident in the renovations and development of facilities.”
He further emphasised that India’s hosting of the WPAC was part of a long-term vision. “This is not a one-off event,” he said. “We had a Grand Prix here before renovations, and we now have a contract to host one every year for the next three years. The reach we’re achieving across India’s para community is vital.”
Parsons was re-elected earlier this year for his third term. “There is momentum in India,” he said. “We see good support from the government, and we are still trying to understand the para sports ecosystem in India, it’s a work in progress.”
He also drew parallels to his home country, Brazil. “As a Brazilian, I saw how the 2016 Rio Paralympics grew when national leaders took interest,” he said. “It’s similar here in India, the economic growth and leadership support are promising signs.”
While acknowledging India’s growing medal tally, Fitzgerald underlined the deeper ethos of para sport. “Winning medals is not the only marker of success,” he said. “What truly matters is achieving personal bests, inspiring others, and showing competitiveness. For me, these championships are not an end point but a launch point for something bigger.”
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