About IPF

IPF – International Parkour Federation

History of IPF
IPF – International Parkour Federation
In 2014, the founders of WFPF filed not-for-profit incorporation papers for a new organization, the International Parkour Federation, a true world governing body for Parkour to facilitate the formation of National Parkour Federations (NF’s) and to empower local leaders to grow their communities.

Building on the relationships that WFPF had established over nearly a decade of service to Parkour communities in 70+ countries, IPF began the process of bringing together grassroots leaders with established sports governance professionals to create Parkour associations and recognized Federations in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America (see list of member countries on the homepage: https://internationalparkourfederation.org .) IPF has also facilitated the creation of the Asia Freerunning Parkour Union (AFPU), the continental body for Parkour in Asia, as well as the West Asia Freerunning Parkour Union.

IPF regularly sponsors and sanctions competitive and non-competitive events large and small around the world, including the 2016 and 2017 WFPF World Parkour Championship (WPC) “Jump Off” in Las Vegas, the 3-Run Family Jam/Jump-Off in the UK in September 2017, the World Parkour Championship in Mardin, Turkey (and 1st IPF Congress) in May 2018, and the USA Parkour Cup in Tampa, FL in January 2018, 2019 and 2020.

IPF’s influence as a force for positive social impact through Parkour is demonstrated in its global initiatives such as Peace through Parkour, which recognizes and works with Parkour leaders in conflict zones who are using Parkour to bring hope and empowerment to youth-at-risk. Recipients of our 2019 and 2020 Peace through Parkour Award, Zahid Shah and Qudrat Frotan respectively have worked with thousands of young students in their native countries of Kashmir and Afghanistan, offering a positive path forward to countless youth in these war-torn regions.  In December (2021) IPF names 2021 “Peace Through Parkour” Award recipients, Ahmad Matar and Wallrunners for their work in Gaza.

In June 2021, IPF established a Para-Parkour committee chaired by renowned Costa Rican Para-Athlete and advocate Andres Fontana, with the goal of including events for Para-Athletes in all events, whether competitive or educational.

IPF is committed to Parkour education worldwide and offers full or partial scholarships for teaching certifications to qualified students with financial hardships. In July 2017, IPF sponsored a Certification workshop in Bangkok, Thailand in cooperation with IPTC (International Professional Training Certification) with students attending from five countries across Asia. In support of IPF’s commitment to Gender Equality, included among these students were two women from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In June 2017, representatives of IPF, including WFPF Founders David Thompson, Ryan Doyle and Victor Bevine were invited to a meeting at GAIFS in Lausanne, Switzerland to review IPF’s pending application with an eye towards approval for GAISF’s “observer” status.

IPF believes in maintaining an ongoing dialogue with all people of good will who have an interest in Parkour so long as the full autonomy of Parkour is respected. Parkour is a unique sport with a history going back to 1902 and a rich culture all its own and must never become a “discipline” of any other sport.

Everyone in the world of sport agrees that the future of Parkour is bright. Parkour practitioners and leaders around the world should feel extremely proud and optimistic about the amazing movement and philosophy of transformation and service that together we are bringing to the world. IPF remains open to partnership with all Parkour organizations and federations who share the goal of bringing together the world’s many Parkour communities from a place of equality and mutual respect.

IPF is proud to be recognized by GUIDESTAR, an organization that connects donors and grant makers to qualified non-profits, revolutionizing philanthropy and encouraging charitable giving through transparency and collaboration.

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-2944977

Recent Milestones:

-2020 Holds virtual IPF Annual Congress with representatives of 50+ nations attending
-2020 Holds IPF Extraordinary Congress to vote on MoU with Obstacle Sports
-2020 IPF signs MoU with Obstacle Sports to explore cooperative initiatives
-2020 IPF holds Americas Congress (North, Central, South America)
-2020 IPF Africa Cup (virtual competition)
-2020 IPF Asia Cup (virtual competition)
-2020 Establishes IPF Peace Through Parkour office In Athens, Greece
-2021 In cooperation with IPTC (International Professional Training Certification), launches virtual educational seminars and Parkour instructor and Parkour Judge certifications
-2021 Signs MoU with Yoga and Sport for Refugees, based in Athens, Greece
-2021 Launches cooperation with Federation Internationale du Sport pour Tous (FISpT – Intl Sport for All Federation)
-2021 Creation of IPF Para-Parkour Committee-2021 IPF names 2021 “Peace Through Parkour” Award recipients, Ahmad Matar and Wallrunners for their work in Gaza.

-2022 IPF announces its new partnership for its “Peace Through Parkour” initiative with “Yoga and Sport for Refugees” in Athens, Greece.

-2022  IPF was proud to support the first major “post-pandemic” live Parkour competition, the USA PARKOUR CUP 2022, in Tampa, Florida.  (February 2022)

-2022 Al Agra (Philippines) appointed as Vice President of AFPU (Asian Freerunning Parkour Union) and Chair of IPF Legal Committee.

-2022 IPF coordinated an accelerated WFPF instructor and judging certification in Philippines in April of 2022., which was hosted by Pilipinas Obstacle Sports, Philippines.

-2022 IPF member organization Costa Rican Asociacion de Parkour (ADD) and its president Raul Solano spearheaded the renovation and launch of a Parkour course at Parque La Libertad in San Jose, Costa Rica in April 2022.

-2022 May, UIPN (International Modern Pentathlon Union) announces its decision to test Obstacle Sports, a similar discipline to Parkour, for integration into Modern Pentathlon after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

-2022, June 5, IPF member federation Costa Rican Asociacion de Parkour (ADD) held the Costa Rica national Parkour championship at Supernova Gym in San Jose, Costa Rica.

-2022 National Parkour championships held around the world in multiple IPF member federation countries, including USA, Morocco, Cuba, Costa Rica, Iran, Philippines, Pakistan.  Pakistan Parkour Federation holds its first ever all girls/women national parkour championship.

-2022 IPF “Peace Through Parkour” Initiative receives the International Special Award from UNESCO recognized “Books for Peace” in Rome, Italy.

-2023 IPF member organization USA Parkour holds the USA Parkour Cup “Speed” Championship in February 2023 in Austin, Texas, USA.

-2023 IPF attends international workshop in Europe on Sport and Sustainability.

-2023 IPF International Congress scheduled for February in Trabzon, Turkey is postponed due to the tragic earthquake in Turkey.

-2023 February, IPF holds meetings in Istanbul, Turkey with AFPU (Asian Freerunning Parkour Union) president, Mehdi Arash Salmanpour, and other leaders from the region to discuss future regional and global plans and initiatives.

-2023 March, Afghan National Olympic Committee upholds the full independence of the Afghan National Freerunning Parkour Federation (ANFPF) under IPF.

-2023 IPF and AFPU (Asian Freerunning Parkour Union) member organization, ANFPF (Afghanistan National Freerunning Parkour Federation) holds the Afghanistan National Parkour Championship in March 2023.

2023 IPF member organization Pilipinas Obstacles Federation holds the Philippines National Parkur Championship in March 2023.

-2023- UPCOMING- IPF member federation USA Parkour to hold its USA Parkour Cup 2023 “Freestyle” Championship June 2023 in Austin, Texas.  Stay tuned!

IPF- Strive Together!