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Candidates for IPC Presidency Nominated
It has been by far the most frequently discussed question in the
last few weeks and months: Who will be elected President of the International
Paralympic Committee at the upcoming IPC General Assembly, 8 - 9 December
2001, taking place in Athens, Greece? The discussions will continue
until the very last minute before the election, but since 7 September,
at least the final list of candidates has been confirmed.
In addition, also nominations for all other elected officer positions
as well as motions were submitted by the National Paralympic Committees,
International Sports Organizations for the Disabled (IOSDs) and by
the Paralympic Sports.
This particular IPC General Assembly is seen as a turning point in
Paralympic History, not only as changes might be ratified by the supreme
governing body in the Paralympic world, but in particular, as a new
political leadership will be elected, taking responsibility for the
Movement for the next four years.
Motions that might change the Movement are being talked about and
voted upon. But in this spirit of change, development and progress
there is also the challenge to, at the same time, incorporate these
new vibes into the old -but far more importantly- still true and valid
values, aspirations and ethics of sport for athletes with a disability.
To evaluate what needs change and what shall remain is every member's
task, but to represent the majority of the members' opinion is one
of the IPC President's duties. And here again, a new area, under a
new president, will commence as the current president can not be reelected
after he has completes three terms of office.
The candidates who are prepared to take on this demanding responsibility
are introduced on page 2. In their own words taken from their nomination
documents, they briefly summarize what they themselves consider to be
their major contribution to the Paralympic Movement.
For the three different areas of Vice Presidency for the IPC, the
following nominations were submitted for Vice President Policy, Planning
& Development: Dr. York Chow (Hong Kong), for Vice President Games
Liaison: Ms. Laurel Crosby, (Canada), Mr. Fahad H. Alradan (Kuwait),
Mr. Hans Lindström (Sweden), Mr. François Terranova (France)
and for Vice President Marketing & Communication: Dr. York Chow
(Hong Kong) Mr. Leo Green (Ireland) Mr Greg. Hartung (Australia) Mr.
Robert McCullough (Australia), Dr. Donald Royer (Canada), Dr. Nabil
Salem (Egypt).
For Secretary General the current holder of this position within
the IPC, Mr. Miguel Sagarra (Spain) was nominated again. Mr. André
Auberger, the present Treasurer, cannot be reelected, since he is
now completing his third term in this position. Three candidates have
put forward their names to accept this responsibility: Mr. Peter Goldhawk
(South Africa), Mr. John Teunissen (The Netherlands), Mr. Gerard Masson
(France).
For the position of Technical Officer Ms. Carol Mushett (USA), who
is the office bearer right now, was nominated again. Four nominations
for Medical Officer for the IPC were received: Dr. Josep Oriol Martinez
Ferrer (Spain), Dr. Björn Hedman (Sweden), Dr. Arnold Illman
(USA), Dr. Mohammed Salah Eldin Fouad (Egypt).
Mr. Philip Craven
Age: 51, Nationality: British
Major Contributions to Sports for athletes with a disability:
- Strategic Planning. Member of IPC Task Force 1995/1996 and most
recently a member of IPC Sports Council during its formulation and
continuing review of the IPC Sports Council Strategic Plan.
- Athletes with a severe disability: From 1982-1987,
I ensured the global acceptance of IWBF's Player Classification System.
This system protects our more severely impaired players who were under threat of
extinction at that time.
- Sports Development in member nations: Since election to the presidency
of IWBF in 1988, development clinics have taken place in over 40 new
nations including Ecuador, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Philippines,
Zimbabwe and Palestine. IPC must help accelerate sports' development
through a new IPC Sports Development Foundation.
- Partnership with FIBA: Over the past nine years
I have been the key player in establishing IWBF's strong, formalized
partnership with FIBA which has assisted IWBF in diversifying its funding base. This experience
has provided me with an excellent grounding for future IPC/IOC negotiations
and
relationships.
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Mr. Hans Lindström
Age: 64, Nationality: Swedish
Major Contributions to Sports for athletes with a disability:
- One of the founders of the first ever sports committee in international
sports for disabled (ISMWSF Swimming), and subsequently as Technical
Officer of ISOD and later of IPC, leading the creation of the first
international rulebook (ISOD) with different diagnosis groups integrated
in the classification in some sports, and the creation of the IPC
multi-disability sports program, rule book and sports technical structure.
- One of the initiators and member of the group that constructed the
international winter sports program for disabled (functional classification
already in the 1970ies) and together with Mr Bengt Nirje founder the
Paralympic Winter Games by holding the first Winter Games in Örnsköldsvik Sweden.
- Initiative to the inclusion of events for athletes with disabilities
in the Olympic Games 1984 and beyond, by proposing it to President
Samaranch at a meeting with IOC and ICC. This triggered the inclusion
of athletes with disabilities also in other major world sports events.
- Initiator of the motions to ISOD and ICC that led to the 1987 ICC
Arnhem Conference and subsequently to the IPC.
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Mr. Bob McCullough
Age: 70, Nationality: Australian
Major Contributions to Sports for athletes with a disability:
- For the first time ever Australia gained Federal Government funding
for the preparation and participation in the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic
Games. This resulted in a professional approach to preparation and
coaching the Australian team which finished second in Atlanta. The
Australian approach in financial support, coaching and preparation
has been adopted by many countries and resulted in high performances
at the Sydney Games. I was also involved in the Bid process for the
Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and was a member of the Sydney Paralympic
Organizing Board.
- Becoming President of ISMWSF brought me into the international world,
and opened up an opportunity to participate at the IPC Executive Level.
Contributions during this period allowed me to participate in a number of areas
including the Development Committee, 1999 Vista Conference, and to
assist in the transition from voluntary staff to professional staff.
Perhaps my most important role has been my willingness to actively
contribute to the issues faced, by a very young organization, and
to move on from past practices.
- The opportunity to represent IPC on the IOC Evaluation Commission
for the 2008 was an invaluable experience and a significant advancement
in the development of the Paralympic Games and the relationship with
the Olympic Movement.
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Mr. François Terranova
Age: 65, Nationality: French
Major Contributions to Sports for athletes with a disability:
- Elected Games Liaison Vice-President in Sydney 1997, together with
my colleagues of the Committee, I promoted a professional work with
various Paralympic Organising Committees for the greatest benefit
of our athletes and NPCs. Sydney was a great success and we are working
on the same way with Salt Lake, Athens and now Torino 2006 in conjunction
with IOC co-ordinating commission which I have a seat.
- Chairman of the Legal Committee with my colleagues we are keepers
of the constitution and by-laws that we try to up-date. Giving a constitutional
base to the sports' voting rights, advising the Executive Committee,
this was one of the main tasks.
- Presently, I am also working on a new and modern award committee
with some colleagues in order to give IPC a system comparable with
IOC and International Federations.
- Elected President, I would like to respect the legacy of Dr. Steadward
and develop new concepts in the areas of Sports and Athletes centered,
Marketing and Solidarity, in order to give our NPCs more consideration
and revenues to share. With the best co-operation will all the Headquarters
staff
 
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