IPC Vice President to take on IPC Athletics Americas Half Marathon Cup

Andrew Parsons, who is also the Brazilian Paralympic Committee President, will run alongside para-athletes on the streets of Rio. 28 Aug 2014
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Andrew Parsons, President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CBP) and International Paralympic Committee Governing Board Member, annouced high expectations for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

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By IPC

“This event is a superb opportunity for us to build momentum and awareness ahead of Rio 2016, whilst giving some of the America’s leading para-athletes the opportunity to compete in a top quality event."

On Sunday 31 August, Andrew Parsons, the Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), will participate in the Rio de Janeiro International Half Marathon which runs alongside the inaugural IPC Athletics Americas Half Marathon Cup.

In April, IPC Athletics announced that it was increasing the number of marathon opportunities for para-athletes and, that in conjunction with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, had agreed to host events alongside the Rio Half Marathon and Sao Paulo Marathons for the next four years.

Parsons, who is also the President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, said he is looking forward to Sunday’s challenge.

“To be able to take part in an event alongside some of the world’s best para-athletes has always been an aspiration of mine and to do it in Rio, a city that will stage the Paralympic Games in two years’ time, is truly fantastic.

“This event is a superb opportunity for us to build momentum and awareness ahead of Rio 2016, whilst giving some of the America’s leading para-athletes the opportunity to compete in a top quality event.

“I’d love to be able to say that I cannot wait to run alongside the para-athletes on Sunday however, I know they are far fitter and capable than I am!

“The closet I will get to the para-athletes will be lining up alongside them on the start line. Hopefully they will be waiting for me with a cool bottle of water at the finish line.”

Sunday’s IPC Athletics Americas Half Marathon Cup will involve para-athletes covering the T11-13, T42-46 and T51-54 classes. The event will be shown live on Globo, Brazil’s biggest TV channel.