President Kavelashvili meets IPC and IBSA presidents to discuss development of Paralympic movement in Georgia

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has hosted International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons and International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) President Ilgar Rahimov to discuss the development of the Paralympic movement in Georgia and cooperation with international organisations. 

The meeting covered the results of the Paralympic movement’s development in Georgia, state policy supporting para-sport and opportunities to deepen cooperation with international organisations, the president’s press office said.

Kavelashvili highlighted the progress of Georgia’s Paralympic movement in recent years. He said that before 2012, only two para-sports were developing in the country and Georgia had just three para-athletes, while today more than 300 athletes are involved in 15 para-sports.

He also noted increased state funding for the Georgian Paralympic Committee, saying that awards, scholarships and the prize fund for Paralympians had been brought into line with those for Olympians.

The meeting also highlighted Georgian para-athletes’ international achievements, including the nine medals won at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and Georgia’s first participation in the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. Georgia fielded two athletes at the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics.

The sides also discussed the development of sports infrastructure and plans to build a multifunctional sports complex in Digomi Chalebi designed in accordance with universal-design standards.

Kavelashvili said protecting the rights of people with disabilities and supporting them in fully realising their potential remained a state priority. He also stressed the importance of removing physical and social barriers and ensuring equal access to education, employment and public life alongside the development of para-sport.

The president thanked Parsons and Rahimov for their support for Georgia’s Paralympic movement and expressed readiness to further deepen cooperation with the International Paralympic Committee.