1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,827 Speaker 1: from News Talks ab Right. 3 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:17,147 Speaker 2: Pleasure to welcome an International Paralympic Committee President, Andrew Parsons, 4 00:00:17,187 --> 00:00:20,027 Speaker 2: who's been in New Zealand since the middle of last week. 5 00:00:20,027 --> 00:00:21,747 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us on the show. Andrew, You've had 6 00:00:21,747 --> 00:00:24,267 Speaker 2: a busy schedule during your time here. What have been 7 00:00:24,347 --> 00:00:26,467 Speaker 2: some of the highlights of your visit to New Zealand. 8 00:00:27,307 --> 00:00:29,147 Speaker 3: Well, thank you very much, it's a pleasure to be 9 00:00:29,187 --> 00:00:32,627 Speaker 3: talking to you today. Jason. Then, well, I think spending 10 00:00:32,907 --> 00:00:36,307 Speaker 3: spending time, of course with the athletes here, the parapters 11 00:00:36,307 --> 00:00:39,107 Speaker 3: of New Zealand. I just had a meeting with the 12 00:00:39,107 --> 00:00:43,987 Speaker 3: Athletes Council and of course visiting the Minister of Sport 13 00:00:44,067 --> 00:00:48,907 Speaker 3: in Wellington and speaking and Sport New Zealand, speaking with 14 00:00:48,947 --> 00:00:52,427 Speaker 3: some of the partners here, visiting the Governor General. So 15 00:00:52,947 --> 00:00:56,347 Speaker 3: it was a really packed field days here. But I 16 00:00:56,387 --> 00:00:59,187 Speaker 3: think we've done a lot in terms and trying to promote, 17 00:00:59,187 --> 00:01:02,187 Speaker 3: trying to understand, but also for me to learn how 18 00:01:02,227 --> 00:01:05,867 Speaker 3: we can from an International Prolympic Committee perspective, help to 19 00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:09,187 Speaker 3: strength and the Paralympic sport movement here in New Zealand. 20 00:01:09,507 --> 00:01:11,787 Speaker 2: So what are some of the main things that you 21 00:01:11,867 --> 00:01:13,907 Speaker 2: have learned during your time here. What have been some 22 00:01:13,947 --> 00:01:16,307 Speaker 2: of the most valuable discussions you've had. 23 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:19,867 Speaker 3: Well, I think it was obviously with the government and 24 00:01:21,587 --> 00:01:24,227 Speaker 3: also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the sense that 25 00:01:24,467 --> 00:01:27,187 Speaker 3: you know, we have this incredible opportunity with twenty thirty two, 26 00:01:27,227 --> 00:01:29,907 Speaker 3: which is considered by some here in New Zealand as 27 00:01:29,947 --> 00:01:34,507 Speaker 3: home games, and how to take advantage of that to 28 00:01:34,547 --> 00:01:37,827 Speaker 3: prepare New Zealand for not only for not only to 29 00:01:37,867 --> 00:01:41,067 Speaker 3: win medals and have an incredible performance in twenty thirty two, 30 00:01:41,107 --> 00:01:44,907 Speaker 3: but how to structure the movement to fotogrow after the 31 00:01:45,027 --> 00:01:47,427 Speaker 3: games in twenty to thirty two. So it's how I 32 00:01:47,467 --> 00:01:50,547 Speaker 3: think Paralympic Sports should be in New Zealand twenty thirty 33 00:01:50,587 --> 00:01:54,307 Speaker 3: three on. So, speaking with the different bodies here such 34 00:01:54,307 --> 00:01:57,587 Speaker 3: as of course the National Paralympic Committee, Sport New Zealand, 35 00:01:59,027 --> 00:02:03,747 Speaker 3: Minister Sport again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the 36 00:02:03,787 --> 00:02:07,347 Speaker 3: sponsors and commercial parks as well, they want to see 37 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:10,467 Speaker 3: this movement and of course projecting that speaking with the athletes, 38 00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:13,907 Speaker 3: so I think to understand that long term strategy of 39 00:02:14,587 --> 00:02:17,507 Speaker 3: Paralympics New Zealand was key for me as president of 40 00:02:17,547 --> 00:02:20,107 Speaker 3: the International Olympic Committee to understand, because of course we 41 00:02:20,147 --> 00:02:24,067 Speaker 3: want these games to be games for this region, for Oceania, 42 00:02:24,147 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 3: and we see Paralympics the New Zealand as most probably 43 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:31,147 Speaker 3: one of the big engines in order to promote Paralympic 44 00:02:31,227 --> 00:02:32,227 Speaker 3: sport here in the region. 45 00:02:32,627 --> 00:02:34,627 Speaker 2: And I know you've had the chance to meet and 46 00:02:34,667 --> 00:02:37,587 Speaker 2: spend time with a number of our Paralympians during your 47 00:02:37,627 --> 00:02:40,387 Speaker 2: time here. I say, you're going to breakfast with Adam Hall, 48 00:02:40,507 --> 00:02:44,027 Speaker 2: Cameron Lesley and Enter Grimaldi on Thursday. How much do 49 00:02:44,067 --> 00:02:48,947 Speaker 2: you enjoy actually speaking with the athletes themselves on trips 50 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:49,187 Speaker 2: like this. 51 00:02:50,467 --> 00:02:54,107 Speaker 3: It's the most rewarding part of a visit like this 52 00:02:54,307 --> 00:02:59,107 Speaker 3: because look, Jason, we as a sport administrator, as sport leader, 53 00:03:00,067 --> 00:03:03,107 Speaker 3: I have learned very early in my career we are 54 00:03:03,107 --> 00:03:06,347 Speaker 3: here to serve the athletes and help them to get 55 00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:09,467 Speaker 3: it from you know, grassroots to elite and and also 56 00:03:09,507 --> 00:03:12,027 Speaker 3: when it comes to pur Olympic movement, to leave a 57 00:03:12,067 --> 00:03:15,587 Speaker 3: long lasting legacy in society and you know by what 58 00:03:15,627 --> 00:03:17,707 Speaker 3: they do in the field of play. So getting the 59 00:03:17,747 --> 00:03:21,107 Speaker 3: feedback from the athletes and some of the initiatives of 60 00:03:21,147 --> 00:03:25,187 Speaker 3: the International Proalympic Committee and understanding a couple a little 61 00:03:25,467 --> 00:03:28,947 Speaker 3: bit more about the challenge they face here in this country, 62 00:03:29,067 --> 00:03:31,587 Speaker 3: and it's just amazing. It's just a great you know, 63 00:03:31,627 --> 00:03:33,307 Speaker 3: I learned every time I speak with them. I just 64 00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:37,227 Speaker 3: had a long conversation now with Cameron Leslie about his 65 00:03:37,427 --> 00:03:40,307 Speaker 3: role in in New Zealand swimming and how he's finding 66 00:03:40,347 --> 00:03:46,467 Speaker 3: new para swimmers and the integration process into Enable Body Federation. 67 00:03:46,627 --> 00:03:49,547 Speaker 3: So it's a very good learning opportunity. And you know, 68 00:03:49,827 --> 00:03:53,187 Speaker 3: when the feedback is positive, of course it's really it 69 00:03:53,227 --> 00:03:55,467 Speaker 3: makes me really happy. And when it's not that positive, 70 00:03:55,507 --> 00:03:57,747 Speaker 3: it's something you know that I take note, I learned 71 00:03:58,147 --> 00:04:00,707 Speaker 3: and we try to to to to act upon it. 72 00:04:01,227 --> 00:04:04,907 Speaker 2: We are very proud of our rich Paralympic history and heritage. 73 00:04:05,667 --> 00:04:08,787 Speaker 2: We regularly, I think, anyway, punch above our white on 74 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:12,627 Speaker 2: the world stage at Paralympic Games and other competitions. I 75 00:04:12,627 --> 00:04:16,987 Speaker 2: think our our you know, middles per capita at Paralympic 76 00:04:17,067 --> 00:04:19,547 Speaker 2: Games is right up there. Have you been able to 77 00:04:19,667 --> 00:04:22,107 Speaker 2: under uncover an your reasons why we might be so 78 00:04:22,147 --> 00:04:24,587 Speaker 2: good for the size of the country that we are. 79 00:04:25,667 --> 00:04:28,307 Speaker 3: I think it's a combination of things, To be honest, 80 00:04:28,347 --> 00:04:31,787 Speaker 3: I think it's a it's a good good sport management. 81 00:04:31,827 --> 00:04:34,987 Speaker 3: Of course, the natural talent of the assets here in 82 00:04:35,307 --> 00:04:38,707 Speaker 3: New Zealand, but you know some of the programs, I 83 00:04:38,747 --> 00:04:44,187 Speaker 3: think the promotional piece into that you know for Olympics 84 00:04:44,227 --> 00:04:48,107 Speaker 3: New Zealand can did in the lead up to games 85 00:04:48,147 --> 00:04:50,627 Speaker 3: like Paris and games like Tokyo. I think it's a 86 00:04:50,667 --> 00:04:53,667 Speaker 3: combination of things. And probably you know it's a counter 87 00:04:53,787 --> 00:04:57,187 Speaker 3: that's sportsman. So I think then you know, persons with 88 00:04:57,227 --> 00:05:00,387 Speaker 3: disability are no different. So I think you have good 89 00:05:00,587 --> 00:05:03,827 Speaker 3: let's say, natural talent and good work around that talent, 90 00:05:03,907 --> 00:05:06,867 Speaker 3: developing the talent into uses like the one you mentioned 91 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:11,907 Speaker 3: now an Agrimordi, Adam Hall and so on. So I 92 00:05:11,947 --> 00:05:14,987 Speaker 3: cannot even if I have founder a recipient, Jason, I 93 00:05:15,027 --> 00:05:18,187 Speaker 3: will not share it with anyone else because I really 94 00:05:18,227 --> 00:05:20,707 Speaker 3: like to see q Is performing like that at the 95 00:05:20,707 --> 00:05:25,027 Speaker 3: world stage. But yeah, it's just been great experience here 96 00:05:25,107 --> 00:05:29,307 Speaker 3: learning more about the country also, and yeah, really really 97 00:05:29,347 --> 00:05:32,987 Speaker 3: really good experience back three days but really really good 98 00:05:33,067 --> 00:05:36,747 Speaker 3: learning and going to a competition later on today, So yeah, 99 00:05:36,827 --> 00:05:38,147 Speaker 3: fantastic three days. 100 00:05:38,427 --> 00:05:41,587 Speaker 2: Can I just ask you from a wider scenes, how strong, 101 00:05:41,787 --> 00:05:45,747 Speaker 2: how strong do you believe the transformative power of the 102 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:48,507 Speaker 2: Paralympic Games and power sport can be. 103 00:05:50,667 --> 00:05:52,867 Speaker 3: Look, I think it's that's a huge potential and I 104 00:05:52,907 --> 00:05:55,867 Speaker 3: think we are just probably scratching the surface. I think 105 00:05:55,907 --> 00:06:01,187 Speaker 3: in Paris we reposition the Problempic movement as really a 106 00:06:01,387 --> 00:06:05,747 Speaker 3: sport movement or that that is also part of a 107 00:06:05,787 --> 00:06:11,467 Speaker 3: wider probably human rights disability movement. So if you think 108 00:06:11,507 --> 00:06:14,987 Speaker 3: that the Proempic Games is the only event of global 109 00:06:15,067 --> 00:06:18,987 Speaker 3: impact that put persons with disabilities center stage, and I'm 110 00:06:18,987 --> 00:06:22,027 Speaker 3: not talking on about sport, if you think an education, coach, 111 00:06:22,067 --> 00:06:27,347 Speaker 3: of politics, art, whatever, is the Paralympic Games the event 112 00:06:27,427 --> 00:06:32,787 Speaker 3: that helps to move forward the agenda of the international 113 00:06:32,787 --> 00:06:36,067 Speaker 3: movement a person of disability. I think what we do 114 00:06:36,147 --> 00:06:39,747 Speaker 3: for this movement is huge, but it can only have 115 00:06:40,187 --> 00:06:42,787 Speaker 3: an even greater impact. And I think one of the 116 00:06:42,867 --> 00:06:45,587 Speaker 3: challenges that we have is, of course the impact in 117 00:06:45,627 --> 00:06:48,467 Speaker 3: Paris and in France was huge, but of course how 118 00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:51,827 Speaker 3: we can maximize the fact that, for example in la 119 00:06:52,027 --> 00:06:54,667 Speaker 3: what the athletes would do on the field of lay 120 00:06:54,707 --> 00:06:57,947 Speaker 3: there can have an impact when it comes to for example, 121 00:06:57,987 --> 00:07:00,987 Speaker 3: in New Zealand, in South America, in Southeast Asia, in 122 00:07:01,067 --> 00:07:03,947 Speaker 3: different parts of the world outside of the host nation. 123 00:07:04,027 --> 00:07:07,427 Speaker 3: I think that's the next step for us. Is the 124 00:07:07,467 --> 00:07:13,787 Speaker 3: next level for us maximizing the again the Paralympic Games 125 00:07:14,027 --> 00:07:15,627 Speaker 3: outside the host nation. 126 00:07:16,707 --> 00:07:19,187 Speaker 2: Wonderful to chat to you, Andrew. It's so great to 127 00:07:19,187 --> 00:07:20,947 Speaker 2: have you here in New Zealand. I'm so pleased you've 128 00:07:20,987 --> 00:07:23,667 Speaker 2: enjoyed your trip and had the chance to meet some 129 00:07:23,707 --> 00:07:26,827 Speaker 2: of our Paralympics and others involved in Paralympic sport here. 130 00:07:26,987 --> 00:07:29,667 Speaker 2: Save travels. I believe you're off to Vanuatu next. 131 00:07:30,187 --> 00:07:36,667 Speaker 3: I'm off to Vanuatu, yeah, today, and then I'm two 132 00:07:36,827 --> 00:07:38,987 Speaker 3: three days there and then going to Brisbane of course 133 00:07:39,027 --> 00:07:42,027 Speaker 3: to work with the Organizing Committee and some of the 134 00:07:43,387 --> 00:07:47,547 Speaker 3: local and regional and national authorities there in preparations for 135 00:07:47,587 --> 00:07:48,787 Speaker 3: the Games in twenty thirty two. 136 00:07:49,467 --> 00:07:52,147 Speaker 2: Save travels and thank you again for your time this afternoon. 137 00:07:52,267 --> 00:07:56,427 Speaker 2: Thank you very much as Andrew Parson's International Paralympic Committee President, 138 00:07:56,547 --> 00:07:58,867 Speaker 2: on his time in New Zealand over the last week 139 00:07:58,947 --> 00:07:59,147 Speaker 2: or so. 140 00:07:59,907 --> 00:08:03,107 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 141 00:08:03,227 --> 00:08:06,467 Speaker 1: to news talks. 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