IPC saddened by death of Vu The Phiet

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), led by President Andrew Parsons, has sent its condolences to the family of Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Sports Association for People with Disabilities Vu The Phiet, who passed away at the age of 71.

Known as an enthusiast and pioneer of the Paralympic Movement in the Vietnam, Phiet helped lay the foundations and develop Para sports in the Southeast Asian country for 30 years. His passion and hard work made a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of persons with disabilities by introducing them into Para sports.

As a result, Vietnam enjoyed their best performance ever at a Paralympics, when they claimed a gold, silver and two bronze at Rio 2016.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “On behalf of the IPC, I would like to send our condolences to Phiet’s family following his sad passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

“Phiet worked really hard with his team to drive the Paralympic Movement in Vietnam for over three decades. His role in the development of Para sports in Vietnam was immense and his departure is a huge loss to the Movement and for the entire disabled community in Vietnam and across the globe.”