IPC President recognises growth of Paralympic Movement in the Dominican Republic

In a visit to the Dominican Republic, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons congratulated the Dominican Paralympic Committee (COPADOM) for the growth it has achieved in recent years which was reflected at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with record athlete numbers.

Since making its debut at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, the number of athletes representing the Dominican Republic has steadily increased. At Paris 2024, 11 athletes took part, more than double the five athletes that competed at Tokyo 2020. 

Parsons offered his thoughts at the end of a visit to the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD), where he was accompanied by Eladio Agramonte, COPADOM President; Bienvenido Zorrilla, COPADOM secretary general; Luis Mejía Oviedo, President of Centro Caribe Sports and IOC Member; Felipe Vicini, President of CRESO and Rafael Blanco, head of the Paralympic division of CRESO.

During his time in the Dominican Republic, the IPC President was able to learn more about what COPADOM is doing, together with the Creating Olympic Dreams (CRESO) programme which is supported through private companies and the Dominican government through the Ministry of Sports.

Encouraged by the work various organisations are doing to support COPADAM in increasing Para sport participation at the high-performance level, Parsons said he was confident the Dominican Republic delegation could enjoy its most successful Paralympic Games at LA28.

"Now is the time to focus on strengthening COPADOM, with the support of CRESO and the Government, because the numbers have improved, Games after Games," Parsons said.
During his visit, the IPC President took part in several activities organised by CRESO and COPADOM, and met the Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz.

Prior to the Dominican Republic, the IPC President was in Puerto Rico meeting the National Paralympic Committee (NPC). His trip will conclude with a visit to NPC Guatemala.