Georgia’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili meets IPC President Andrew Parsons and IBSA President Ilgar Rahimov

Georgia’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili hosted Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Ilgar Rahimov, President of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

According to the President’s Administration, the talks addressed the advancement of Georgia’s Paralympic movement, national policies supporting Para sports, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration with international organisations.

The President focused on the Georgian Paralympic movement’s strides in recent years. He noted that before 2012, Georgia had only three competing Para athletes across two disciplines. Today, more than 300 athletes are active across 15 Para sports. Furthermore, state funding for the Georgian Paralympic Committee has risen substantially, with Paralympic prize money, stipends, and bonuses now matching Olympic standards.

The meeting highlighted the Georgian Para athletes’ international achievements, including the nine medals won in Paris and Georgia’s forthcoming maiden participation in the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.

Discussions also touched upon the expansion of sports infrastructure and plans to construct a multi-functional sports complex complying with universal design standards in Dighmi Meadows.

Mikheil Kavelashvili stressed that safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities and helping them realise their full potential remains a state priority. According to the President, alongside the development of sports, eliminating physical and social barriers while guaranteeing equal access to education, employment, and public life is paramount.

The President of Georgia thanked Andrew Parsons and Ilgar Rahimove for supporting the Georgian Paralympic movement and affirmed readiness to deepen cooperation with the International Paralympic Committee.