As part of the continuous development of the 10 sports for which it acts as the international federation, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has appointed Christian Holtz as the World Para Sports Managing Director.

Born in Uruguay and a German citizen, Holtz previously served as Executive Director at ITTF-Oceania, the International Table Tennis Federation, overseeing the implementation of the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan and being responsible for the operational and financial management of the organisation.

Prior to this role, Holtz worked as Table Tennis Australia’s Sport for Development Manager where he designed and implemented the Smash Down Barriers programme – using Para table tennis to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in Oceania and Southeast Asia.

"Christian will provide significant contributions to our ongoing discussions about new models of sport governance and he will help us achieve the next stage in our business strategy and evolution, where we seek to further develop our brand, commercial, competition and broadcast concepts."

The programme promoted social inclusion and provided opportunities to more than 2,500 people with impairments and over 6,000 children living in economically-deprived areas.

In his role as World Para Sports Managing Director, which he takes up on 17 June, Holtz will support the 10 sports currently governed by the IPC in areas concerning governance, audit and finance, sport development and brand & commercialisation.

“This is an important moment for the IPC and the World Para Sports and we are extremely happy to welcome Christian Holtz to our team," IPC Interim CEO Mike Peters said.

"Christian will provide significant contributions to our ongoing discussions about new models of sport governance and he will help us achieve the next stage in our business strategy and evolution, where we seek to further develop our brand, commercial, competition and broadcast concepts.

“I have seen first-hand the excellent work Christian has done at ITTF-Oceania and look forward to him having a similar impact with the World Para Sports. These undoubtedly are exciting times for the World Para Sports and the Paralympic Movement as a whole,” Peters added.

The 10 sports for which the IPC acts as the international federation include Para alpine skiing, Para athletics, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para dance sport, Para ice hockey, Para powerlifting, Para snowboard, Para swimming and shooting Para sport.

“I am very excited to take on the role of World Para Sports Managing Director," Christian Holtz said.

"Para sports are at the core of the Paralympic Movement providing athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers with opportunities from community to high performance levels. I look forward to contributing further to the growth of the sports and to support them to achieve their strategic objectives,” World Para Sports Managing Director added.