Dr. Debra Alexander, current First Vice President of World Triathlon, has been elected President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations -APSO- at the General Assembly held in Seoul. Her appointment recognizes a career dedicated to advancing Para triathlon and strengthening the Paralympic Movement at the international level.

Founded in 2009, APSO brings together international federations governing Paralympic sports recognized by the International Paralympic Committee -IPC-. Its primary role is to coordinate efforts, promote the growth of disciplines and represent the interests of the federations within the governance structures of the IPC.

Recognition from World Triathlon

World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany praised Alexander’s role following her election: “Debbie has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to inclusivity in our Executive Board and also within the Paralympic community. On behalf of World Triathlon, I extend our heartfelt congratulations on her election as APSO President. We are confident that her vision and passion will continue to elevate Para sport and especially Para triathlon globally.”

Eric Angstadt, Senior Manager of Para triathlon at World Triathlon, also attended the Assembly in Seoul, joining Arimany during the sessions. The election took place on Tuesday, 23 September, alongside the IPC General Assembly, which gathered representatives from 183 members.

Commitment to developing Paralympic sports

Upon her appointment, Alexander expressed her determination to strengthen collaboration among federations: “I am both honored and energized by the trust placed in me to serve as APSO President. I remain deeply committed to advancing opportunities for Para athletes and to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to further strengthen our movement in the years ahead.”

In addition to her position at World Triathlon, Alexander has built a career focused on inclusive program development and the promotion of governance policies across international organizations, reinforcing her profile as a leader in the sector.

Andrew Parsons re-elected as IPC President

The International Paralympic Committee General Assembly, also held in Seoul, confirmed the re-election of Andrew Parsons as President for a third and final four-year term. The Brazilian official received 109 out of 177 valid votes, defeating South Korean candidate Dong Hyun Bae.

The Assembly also elected Leila Marques Mota of Portugal as First Vice President and John Petersson of Denmark as Second Vice President. However, elections for Members at Large of the Governing Board were postponed due to time constraints and will be addressed in an Extraordinary General Assembly to be held remotely on a date to be announced.

Arimany also conveyed a message to Parsons following his victory: “On behalf of World Triathlon and the entire triathlon community, I congratulate Andrew Parsons on his re-election as IPC President. His unwavering commitment to advancing the Paralympic Movement and promoting Para athletes worldwide continues to inspire us all. We look forward to building further on our close partnership in the years ahead.”