The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athlete’s Council elected Maltese Paralympian Vladyslava Kravchenko as Chairperson during a meeting held at the organisation’s headquarters in Bonn, Germany yesterday.
Vladyslava Kravchenko takes over the role of Chairperson from Jitske Visser who served from November 2021 to November 2024. Vladyslava will serve as Chair for four years until the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and will be an ex officio member of the IPC Governing Board with voting rights.
The IPC Athletes’ Council (AC) is the collective voice of Paralympic and Para athletes within the IPC and the greater Paralympic Movement. The Athletes’ Council serves as an advisory body to the IPC Governing Board, carrying out tasks specifically delegated by the Board.
Newly elected Chairperson Vladyslava Kravchenko is a Maltese Paralympian and Para swimmer who represented Malta at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She was re-elected as Member to the Council for a second term during elections held at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Vladyslava Kravchenko said: "My primary objective is to be a strong representative for Para athletes from countries where Para sport is currently underdeveloped, including small states, developing nations, regions in conflict, and countries with recently established National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). NPCs in these regions often lack the necessary infrastructure, funding, and support systems to nurture and develop Paralympians. I look forward to serving the Paralympic Movement in my new role and supporting the IPC’s strategic objective of driving impact through Para sport globally."
IPC President Andrew Parsons congratulated Vladyslava Kravchenko her election as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. He said: “I am confident that with you at the helm the Council will continue to progress the mandate of athletes in a meaningful way. The IPC Governing Board welcomes your input to ensure that we remain an athlete-centred organisation.”
Malta Paralympic Committee emphasised the importance of this milestone: “Today, Maltese sporting history has been written. This is a vote of confidence in the impactful work, determination and vision that Malta has for the global Paralympic Movement. We are extremely proud of, and humbled by, Vladyslava’s resolve to shape the movement, and we are thrilled for Malta to play a leading role in the direction of Paralympic Sport on a global scale over the next four years.”
The IPC Athletes’ Council is made up of nine athletes in total, which includes the six summer athletes and three winter athletes. The five summer sport members in addition to Vladyslava Kravchenko are: Martina Caironi (Italy, Para Athletics), Lenine Cunha (Portugal, Para Athletics), Denise Schindler (Germany, Para Cycling), Yuijao Tan (China, Para Powerlifting) and Yoomin Won (Rep. Korea, Wheelchair Basketball). The three winter sport council members are Josh Dueck (Canada, Para Alpine Skiing), Mitchell Gourley (Australia, Para Alpine Skiing) and Birgit Skarstein (Norway, Para Nordic Skiing).
This press release is also available in Maltese:
Published by:
Malta Paralympic Committee
Thursday 21 November 2024, 08:00 CET
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