During his visit on Monday and Tuesday, Parsons also met with Lilja Alfreosdóttir, Minister of Education and Sport, and Asmundur Einar Daoason, Minister of Welfare and Children Affairs to speak about the collaboration between the Icelandic Sports Association for the Disabled and the Government.

"I am impressed with the high profile of Paralympic sport in the country and how the National Paralympic Committee is a fundamental partner of both the Ministries of Social Affairs, and Education & Sport in a holistic approach to persons with disabilities on a national level," said Parsons.

"I have also visited the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland where I was greeted by its President, Lárus Blöndal, who briefed me on the structure of Icelandic sport.

"It was a pleasure to spend time with some Paralympic athletes who are fighting to qualify for Tokyo and share views with them. 

"The entire time I was there, I was accompanied by NPC Iceland president Thordur Arni Hjaltested, with whom I had excellent discussions about his organisation and the IPC. 

"I thank everyone for their hospitality and congratulations on their great work."

Iceland won their first gold medal at the 1980 Paralympic Games in Arnhem in The Netherlands in their debut year, with their last gold medal coming at London 2012 when swimmer Jón Margeir Sverrisson won the men's 200m freestyle S14.

Over the past forty years, Iceland have won 14 gold medals at the Paralympics, with 13 silvers and 34 bronzes accounting for a total of 61 medals.