(ATR) Andrew Parsons tells Around the Rings the International Paralympic Committee ignored domestic politics in Malaysia when making a final decision on the 2019 Para Swimming World Championships.
"We cannot allow the host countries to pick and choose whoever they allow to participate in our sanctioned events," Parsons said in an interview.
The IPC Governing board met this weekend in London to take a number of decisions about future Paralympic Games. Included in the agenda was a decision on the 2019 World Championships, after it became clear that Malaysia would not allow athletes from Israel to enter the country for the event.
To make a clear headed decision, Parsons said the governing board disregarded the names of countries involved in the dispute, and focused on guarantees of inclusion when allocating the event. Malaysia had guaranteed all athletes could come when getting hosting rights in 2017, leading to the final decision.
Rescheduling the championships "may affect some athletes," says Parsons, but a number of cities have already come forward offering to host. Originally the event was scheduled for late July and early August, and the IPC is working to keep a similar window for the rescheduled championships.
"We believe in 2-3 weeks we will be able to announce something."
Parsons also discussed the state of the Paralympic movement, what to expect from Tokyo 2020, the expansion of its sponsorship program, and regional Paralympic Games as part of an interview for ATRadio.
"It is a very exciting moment [the IOC agreement], and we are also not the only one to benefit," Parsons added.
"In a way, the experience of the IPC and Paralympic movement encouraged [Allianz] to be a sponsor of the TOP program and for the IOC. We are included in that as part of the agreement."
The full interview with Andrew Parsons will be posted tomorrow.
Written by Aaron Bauer, interview conducted by Ed Hula.
For general comments or questions, click here .
25 Years at # 1: Your best source for news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com , for subscribers only.