External Awards

German Nordic Skier Verena Bentele was a worthy receipient of the 2011 Laureus Sports Award. © • Getty Images

The Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability is awarded to the athlete who best demonstrates excellent athletic performance and achievement in a competitive sport on the Paralympic programme. The athlete must also who strong leadership qualities in his/her chosen sport, in community activities and in public speaking. For more information, please visit www.laureus.com.

The General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Award was created to recognize and honour those individuals who have contributed to the development of their sport as well as to sport in general. The first GAISF Award was presented in May 2003 to H.E. Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch. For more information, please visit www.agfisonline.com.

The International Fair Play Awards are given annually by the International Committee of Fair Play (CIFP), a prestigious organization co-founded by International Committee for Sports Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) more than 40 years ago. The awards include diplomas, letters of congratulations, and major trophies in three categories (the Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play Trophy, awarded to an athlete or a team for a gesture of fair play; the Jean Borotra International Fair Play Trophy, awarded to a person for a general attitude of fair play showed during his/her career and the Willi Daume International Fair Play Trophy awarded to a person or an organization for promoting fair play). For more information, please visit www.fairplayinternational.org.

The IOC/IAKS AWARD is the only architecture award of international importance for existing sports and leisure facilities. The IPC/IAKS Distinction recognizes the world’s best accessible sports and leisure facilities. It aims to promote accessibility to sports facilities and other buildings in order to give persons with a disability the opportunity to practise or view sport without limitation or barriers. 2006 was the first time that the IPC/IAKS Distinction for Accessibility has been awarded. More information can be found on the official website at www.iaks.info.

Paralympic Hall of Fame

The Paralympic Hall of Fame, presented by Visa, ensures that a permanent record and institutional memory is kept for the top Paralympic athletes and coaches of all time.

To be eligible, athletes and coaches must have ceased their participation in Paralympic Sport for at least four years and must have achieved a very high and sustained level of success at the Paralympic Games.

The election and induction of new members always coincides with the Paralympic Games.

To read profiles of members of the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame please click here.

Whang Youn Dai Acheivement Award

The Whang Youn Dai Acheivement Award is presented to one male and one female athlete at the Paralympic Games. It is given to those who best exemplify the spirit of the Games, regardless of the outcome of their performances. The prize is named after Dr. Whang Youn Dai, who has contributed her life to promoting the welfare and persons with a disability. For more information, please visit www.whangprize.org.