The current IPC vice-president was confirmed as one of four candidates for the role yesterday, along with Canada's Patrick Jarvis, China's Zhang Haidi and Denmark's John Petersson.

Parsons had been widely expected to run after standing down last month as President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.

The IPC's announcement of those in the race to succeed Sir Philip Craven, who has led the worldwide governing body since 2001, meant formal campaigning could officially begin.

"I am delighted that my candidacy to become the next IPC President has been confirmed and I would like to thank the Brazilian Paralympic Committee for the trust and support they have placed in me by nominating me as a candidate," said Parsons. who has employed London-based strategic communications agency Vero to mastermind the media side of his campaign.

"This election comes at an exciting, but crucial, time for the IPC and Paralympic Movement, following the successes of London 2012 and Rio 2016, and with Para-sport experiencing unprecedented growth under Sir Philip Craven's guidance and leadership.

"This progress has not been without its challenges and it is vital that the IPC continues to build on the strong foundations that have been laid and work in the best interests of every single Para-athlete and our great family of stakeholders.

"It is vital that the next IPC President is someone who offers strong, inclusive leadership and has a clear vision that harnesses the unique potential of Para-sport and its ability to inspire and excite.

"I am someone who has worked in the Paralympic Movement for most of my life; as IPC vice president, IPC Governing Board member, chair of the IPC Paralympic Games Committee, President of the Americas Paralympic Committee, and at the Brazilian Paralympic Committee for 20 years.

"This experience means I have both the knowledge and passion required to represent the needs of our athletes, maximise the huge potential of Para-sport and guide the IPC forwards.

"If elected, I want to ensure the IPC is an inclusive, dynamic and fair organisation that works in the very best interests of all 178 National Paralympic Committees, international federations and regional organisations; and places athletes at the very core of its thinking and activities.

"It must reach, engage and support everyone involved in Para-sport, throughout their careers, so we can all grow stronger together.

"I also believe that an open and collaborative IPC is an organisation that works closely with partners across the Paralympic and Olympic Movement.

"If elected, I will do all that I can to strengthen relationships and work across our partner organisations to unlock untapped development and commercial potential."

The election is due to be held at the IPC General Assembly in Abu Dhabi on September 8.

Petersson, a former head of the European Paralympic Committee, is also standing for vice-president, along with New Zealand's Duane Kale and Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed of the United Arab Emirates.

A total of 23 candidates have been nominated to become members at large at the IPC.

South Africa's Debra Alexander is among the nominees, along with the United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Alhameli and Majid Rashed, Belgium's Anne d’Ieteren and Marianna Davis of the United States.

The Netherlands' Rita van Driel, Morocco's Hamid El Aouni, New Zealand's Duane Kale, Sung Il Kim of South Korea and Italy's Luca Pancalli are also standing, along with Angola's Leonel da Rocha Pinto, Germany's Karl Quade and Britain's Tim Reddish.

The list of candidates is completed by Colombia's Juan Pablo Salazar, Hungary's László Szabó, Pakistan's Imran Shani, India's Rao Inderjit Singh, Australia's Robyn Smith, Joe Walsh of the US, Kevin Wong of Singapore, Japan's Yasushi Yamawaki and Jia Yong of China.

There will be 10 members at large elected by the IPC membership, which consists of National Paralympic Committees, International Sport Federations, International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled (IOSDs) and Regional Organisations.

Chelsey Gotell, chairperson of the IPC Athletes' Council, will also have a vote.