Tokyo 2020 – Messages from World ParaVolley Board and Athletes’ Commission

From the Board of Directors:

The Board of World ParaVolley fully supports the decision to postpone the Paralympic Games into 2021 in the interests of the health and safety of our athletes and officials.

We recognize that the athletes, coaches, and federations now have to redesign training schedules in order to plan and peak for 2021 and not for 2020.  We recognize the amount of work that all athletes have undertaken over the past number years to attempt to qualify for the Games.  We also recognize, however, that our athletes are strong – we have seen this over and over again not only in ParaVolley but across the spectrum of all Paralympic sport.  We are confident in their resilience, and in their ability to once again bring their best to all ParaVolley competitions in 2021, including the Paralympic Games.  We will publish a calendar of 2020-21 events as soon as possible.

Of course the decision has raised many questions for us all.  Rest assured that the Board will be working as fast as possible to gather the necessary information from the IPC and Tokyo 2020 and to provide certainty to our athletes and officials.

We will work cooperatively to ensure that we recover from this situation and offer the best services to all ParaVolley stakeholders as we discuss the implications for the 2021 events calendar, classification, training courses, anti-doping, the General Assembly and beach paravolley.

We wish all the best for all members of the ParaVolley family in this difficult time – please do all you can to stay healthy and safe.

We will communicate with all Members as soon as possible – meanwhile, if you have any specific questions, please contact the General Manager.

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Barry Couzner OAM,
President, World ParaVolley

From the Athletes’ Commission:

The Paralympic Games are every athlete’s dream. Many athletes sacrifice a big part of their lives so they can participate at the Paralympics. However, in recent weeks athletes were put in a situation where they had to combine their own health, public health, training and worries.

Consequently, the Athletes’ Commission fully supports the decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was the best decisions under the circumstances.

The focus for the athletes right now should be to stay home, stay healthy and take care of their loved ones.

On behalf or the Athletes’ Commission
José Rebelo
Chair, World ParaVolley Athletes’ Commission


Related information:

Joint Statement from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee

IPC support IOC decision over Tokyo 2020

IPC reaction: Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games postponed

Para athletes support Tokyo 2020 postponement