World Triathlon is proud to announce that Dr. Debra Alexander, World Triathlon Vice President, has been re-elected as Member at Large of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board for a remarkable third term. Dr. Alexander’s continued presence on the IPC Board ensures the voice of triathlon, and more specifically para triathlon, is at the very heart of decision-making at the highest level within the Paralympic Movement.
The election of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board was completed on Thursday, 20 November, during an online Extraordinary General Assembly, with seven Members-at-Large elected.
At September’s IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, IPC members elected Brazil’s Andrew Parsons as President for a third term and voted in Portugal’s Leila Marques Mota and Denmark’s John Petersson as Vice-Presidents. However, due to time constraints, the election of the seven Members-at-Large was adjourned after the first round of elections.
On Thursday, the following seven people were elected as Members-at-Large to serve four-year-long terms:
• Debra Alexander
• Chelsey Gotell
• Fernando Riaño
• Mohamed Duaij Alkhalifa
• Robyn Smith
• Miki Matheson
• Bradley Snyder
The seven join Parsons, Mota, and Petersson on the IPC Governing Board, as well as IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson Vladyslava Kravchenko and First vice-chairperson Josh Dueck.
Dr. Alexander also brings her expertise to the international sporting landscape as the recently elected President of the Association of Paralympic Sport Organisations (APSO), further strengthening her commitment to advancing opportunities and representation for para athletes worldwide.
Reacting to her election, Dr. Alexander said: 'I am incredibly proud and happy to continue serving on the IPC Governing Board and to represent the voice of the sport within the Paralympic Movement. This role allows me to further elevate para sport, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of athletes and International Federations remain central to every discussion. I am fully committed to working collaboratively to drive positive change, promote inclusivity, and create even greater opportunities for the para sport and our community.'
World Triathlon President Antonio F. Arimany added:
'We are truly proud and delighted with Debbie’s re-election to the IPC Governing Board. Her leadership and dedication continue to ensure that the voice of para sport and of triathlon is represented at the highest level. Debbie’s work not only elevates our sport globally, but brings the perspective and needs of para athletes and International Federations to the heart of crucial discussions within the Paralympic Movement. On behalf of World Triathlon and the entire triathlon family, I congratulate Debbie and look forward to seeing her continue to grow para sport and inspire positive change across the Paralympic community.'
The impact of para triathlon within the IPC is further highlighted by the election of two more board members closely linked to the sport. Brad Snyder (USA), a decorated Para triathlete and Paralympic champion in the PTVI class at Tokyo 2020, brings direct athlete experience to the table. Fernando Riaño (ESP), another newly-elected board member, is not only a visually impaired para triathlete who actively competes, but also a five-time world champion in long-distance para duathlon.
Dr. Alexander’s leadership and the broader presence of para triathlon representatives on the IPC Board underline the growing profile and influence of the sport within the global Paralympic family, promising a bright and inclusive future for all para athletes.
