IPF, the international governing body and sole competent authority for Parkour and Freerunning worldwide held its 2020 Global Congress via Zoom on Saturday June 6.  Representatives from more than 50 countries and five continents were in attendance. Since 2014, IPF has supported the growth of independent National Parkour Federations, as well as educational, peace and gender equity initiatives around the world.

IPF Global Parkour Congress “quick view”:

“We were so moved by the support, enthusiasm and optimism shown by all participants,” said IPF President Victor Bevine.

In January 2018, IPF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) with the goal of establishing a collaborative platform to benefit the global Parkour community. Unable to find mutually agreeable terms that would guarantee the autonomy of Parkour, IPF allowed the MoU to lapse in April 2018, re-affirming IPF’s status as a wholly independent and self-governed international federation, ratified unanimously by the members at the June 6^th Congress Many new members were welcomed from Africa and Latin America. The effects of COVID-19 on Parkour businesses and the global community were discussed, as well as formats for virtual competitions that would safeguard the health of all participants.

In the spirit of the global Peace and Sport movement and as part of IPF’s “Peace Through Parkour” initiative, the Parkour Federation of Kuwait extended the hand of friendship and a promise of financial aid to the Yemen Parkour Federation, who are faced with the extreme pressures of providing Parkour instruction to young people in the midst of a war.  Federacion de Parkour Costa Rica introduced one of their country’s accomplished female Parkour athletes who is a new member of IPF’s Women’s Empowerment committee.     

IPF recently received a letter of gratitude from the Royal Moroccan Federation of Urban Sports (FRMSU), for IPF’s support of their National Parkour Championship on 28 April 2020, which was attended by IPF Secretary General David Thompson. “We have been working with the Moroccan Parkour community for many years,” Thompson said “and it was inspiring to see the recognition these dedicated athletes are now receiving from the Moroccan government sports officials.”

IPF and FRMSU are proud to announce their collaboration on the 2020 “Virtual” Africa Parkour Cup with a July 20 deadline for submission, the first digital Urban Sports Event in Africa, open to Parkour athletes from all IPF member countries in Africa.

For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/FRMSUSS/posts/2461074510819817

About the International Parkour Federation: Formally established in 2014, IPF represents member organizations in 65 countries , and is the sole competent authority for the sport of Parkour, related disciplines and events worldwide. IPF is a registered 501c3 US-based non-profit representing the needs of its national federations and athletes members across five continents.

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.InternationalParkourFederation.com

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Instagram:  @InternationalParkourFed

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