After much discussion and debate, we now have two new sports joining the Paralympic sports programme - canoe and triathlon.

Both will join the 20 sports that were part of the existing programme and will make their debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Seven sports presented applications to the International Paralympic Committee, however, the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board, to which I am member of, decided that both canoe and triathlon had the strongest proposals.

One of the things that appeals to me about both these dynamic sports is that they are popular with the youth of today.  If the Paralympic Movement is to continue growing at the grassroots we need sports that will appeal greatly to the next generation of athletes.

I think both these events will appeal to potential athletes and spectators in the run up to Rio, not just because they are great sports but because of the venues they are likely to take place at.

It's probable that the triathlon will start on the spectacular Copacabana beach and that the canoeing event will take place with one of the world's most recognisable landmarks - the Christ the Redeemer statue - as its backdrop.

As the President of the Brazilian National Paralympic Committee I was already looking forward to the Rio Games, but now I'm even more excited that we've got 22 sports to enjoy.

Both sports need to put in a lot of hard work between now and 2016, but I'm sure with the help of the IPC they will deliver and the transition into the Paralympic Games will be a smooth one.

Andrew Parsons is an IPC Governing Board member and President of the Brazilian National Paralympic Committee