Zhang runs for International Paralympics Committee presidency

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‍The International Paralympic Committee will elect a new governing board on Friday as part of the ongoing IPC General Assembly in Abu Dhabi.

Zhang Haidi from China is in a four-way race with Brazil's Andrew Parsons, Denmark's John Petersson and Canada's Patrick Jarvis for the top IPC post, replacing the current president, Philip Craven of Britain.

screenshot from CGTN

Zhang is the first Chinese candidate to vie for the job of IPC President. The 61-year-old is the Executive Chairperson of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, as well as the head of China's National Paralympic Committee. Earlier during the summit, the 61-year-old Zhang delivered a 15-minute speech stressing the importance of equality and inclusivity.

screenshot from CGTN

In 2009 Andrew Parsons became the chairperson of the IPC's Paralympic Games Committee and, one year later, he became an Executive Council Member for the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee. In 2013, while serving in this post, he became the number two man in the IPC, making the 40-year-old their youngest ever vice president.

screenshot from CGTN

Born in 1958, Patrick Jarvis has been a board member for Canada's Paralympic Committee for the last 24 years. He served as president of the National Paralympic Committee from 1998 to 2006, and became a member of the country's Olympic Committee Board in 2000. Jarvis also served on the IOC's 2012 Olympic Evaluation and Co-Ordinating Commissions.

screenshot from CGTN

The 47-year-old John Petersson has served as the Chairperson of the IPC's Regions Council for the last five years. The Dane has also served as president of the European Paralympic Committee since 2009, and has been a member of the IPC Financial Committee for the last 11 years. As a competitor, Petersson participated in 5 Paralympics and 3 World Championships where he won 6 golds and 4 golds respectively.

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