India has the momentum but it’s a work in progress: Parsons

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons is still trying to understand the para sports ecosystem in India but believes the government support will help get better.

The newly re-elected Parsons, now in his third and final term, was accompanied by the head of World Para Athletics, Paul Fitzgerald, on the sidelines of the World Para Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday (October 1, 2025).

“There is growth and good support from the government. We are trying to understand the para ecosystem system in India, it’s a work in progress. India definitely has the momentum, it’s growing economically,” he said, referring to India’s chances of hosting the 2036 Olympics. Parsons is a member of the IOC’s Future Host Commission that evaluates bids and advises on a final decision.

Parsons was elected at the IPC general assembly last week, which also saw it lift the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their own national flags and not as neutral athletes. The athletes from the two countries are competing as NPAs.

Fitzgerald, however, insisted that medals were secondary. “Renovations are underway across sports facilities. India has the largest population. There are many athletes to reach out to, but it’s important to remember being competitive is more important than winning medals. It’s the personal best that matters to inspire. At the last World Championships in Kobe, India won 17 medals; at Doha in 2015 they had two. The medal table is ticking here as well.”