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He pointed out that there is an internal transformation in the experience of paying a ticket and going to see a Paralympic or Parapan American sport.
IPC’s highest authority considered that the Parapan American Games are one of the most important events on the planet, mainly in the Paralympic world.
“If I were a father in Lima, I would take my daughter or my son to see this event because they will have fun, and they will also grow as human beings,” he said.
The election of Andrew Parsons as IPC’s highest authority occurred a little more than a year and two months ago (September, 2017), but his dedication and efforts to make the Paralympic movement even bigger, stronger and more vital began more than twenty years ago. In addition to having been IPC's vice president and president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons was also president of the Americas Paralympic Committee.
In the following interview, the president of the International Paralympic Committee states that the Lima 2019 Games will be a celebration for the Paralympic sport in the Americas and that Peruvians will have an incredible opportunity to see athletes who are not only great athletes in their respective sports, but who are also great human beings and agents of change in the world.
What do you expect of the Lima 2019 Games regarding this great movement around the Parapan American Games?
Well, I expect that they will be incredible games in terms of sports, with a great performance of the Organizing Committee in operations and infrastructure of sports venues. It will be a celebration for the Paralympic sport in the Americas. This is the fourth edition of the Parapan American Games, after Rio, Guadalajara and Toronto, that are organized along with the Pan American Games. We are working even closer with Panam Sports to make this sports event one of the most important in the world; mainly in the Paralympic world, so the expectation is very high.
What changes did the cities that organized the past editions of the Parapan American Games experience?
Well, I think there are two changes. Infrastructure, that although is not a change of the same size on the ones seen in the Paralympic Games, such as Rio, Guadalajara and Toronto, there were different changes in terms of accessibility. For example, there was an important progress in terms of accessibility in the transportation system in Rio. In Guadalajara we looked for different things. But there is always a change in the attitude of the population and the government. The Paralympic Games are surely the greatest expression of this change but the Parapan American Games are also important. And since they are organized jointly with the Pan American Games, the governments of the countries in the Americas support their Parapan American delegations more effectively, and that is important. For example, it is very good and very interesting to see El Salvador participate with a delegation of 30 athletes. This is something new in Paralympic Games, where usually only one or two athletes participate. This is important for the international exhibition, for the development of the athletes so that there is also a renewal and an interest in people with impairments from those countries to enter the sporting life.
A concrete expression of these changes is the great construction works that the Games will leave as a legacy. What is your perception on the progress made in terms of infrastructure with regards to Lima 2019 and what do you think of the accessibility?
Well, I think that we are going to see fewer large constructions in the organization of the Games. The most important thing is to take advantage of and improve the existing infrastructure in the cities of the host countries. We are happy, but there is still a lot to do in Lima in terms of accessibility and operations in sports facilities. We are in permanent dialog with the Organizing Committee, the municipality of Lima and the Government of Peru. We know where we are and how far we can go. We are happy because we have reached the level needed for the Parapan American Games, but there is still a lot of work to do.
Accessibility is a much broader term than many people think. We talk about universal accessibility today. How should we understand and internalize this term related to the next Parapan American Games?
Well, as a universal design. That is, it has to do with the design of anything, like a sports scenario, a house, an apartment or a public property. It is not that persons with impairments and persons without them go in separate ways. This design is for everyone. More than accessibility, the concept has to do with the fact that all spaces are for all people, elderly people, young people, people with impairments, without impairments, men, women, pregnant women, people who are momentarily in wheelchairs. I believe that, in sporting events, where there are groups (like the Olympic and Paralympic movement), such as the Pan American and Parapan American Games, the message is not only spread through the media, but also through, for example, the building of a sports scenario. That can be a very clear message: if it segregates people or unites them.
When we interviewed the Peruvian swimmer Dunia Felices, who lost her upper and lower limbs at 14, she said that impairment was not an impediment to practice any sport. Do you think that this kind of Games always leave a legacy in the minds and spirits of the people and pose important challenges to us as a society?
I know Dunia and I think she is an example, not only for other athletes or other people with impairments, but for all people. In fact, not having hands has its challenges, not only in swimming but in life, and she is an example that without hands she can do anything. She can be an active citizen who contributes to society, a swimmer, a friend, a sister, and a mother in the future. Impairment cannot be an excuse for not being a productive and positive person for society. And sports have the power to convince people without words. There is an internal transformation when you pay a ticket and to see a Paralympic or Parapan American sport. No one goes back home after a Paralympic event thinking, feeling or seeing the world in the same way. And that change of attitude is increasingly necessary in the rude world where we live.
In terms of the competition, there is still a significant difference in the preparation and training conditions of athletes. How are these gaps closing and what challenges will we face?
There should not be differences because, in the end, they are all athletes. Of course, we should respect the limits that some impairments may represent. For example, in wheelchair rugby, athletes have a more severe impairment and therefore, more significant physical limitations, but part of the adaptation, training, level, structure and availability of Paralympians and athletes who do not have any impairment should be the same. Change of attitude and the conviction of society through communication and public power will gradually bring equality between them.
What final message and recommendation would you give to Peruvians on how to see and follow step by step these Parapan American Games?
Well, I would tell Peruvians that they have an incredible opportunity to see athletes who are not only great athletes in their respective sports, but also are great human beings, agents of change in the world. It is an incredible experience because it is exciting from the sporting point of view, and from the transformation and education point of view. If I were a father in Lima, I would take my daughter or my son to see this event because they will have fun, and they will also grow as human beings.
