The Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize recognizes and awards elite athletes that have exemplified an exceptional level of fair play and determination to overcome their adversities through sport and the Paralympic Games. It has been presented to two athletes (one male and one female) at every Paralympic Games since the Seoul 1988 Paralympics.

 

This year's winners (one male and one female) will be chosen by a selection committee, which consists of the three IPC representatives and one person appointed by the Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize Committee. The two athletes will be presented with a pure gold medal weighing seventy-five grams, at the Closing Ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Paralympics by Dr. Whang and Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee.

 

Dr. Whang Youn Dai has contributed her life and enthusiasm to promote the welfare of persons with a disability. Dr. Whang, who has a disability herself, became a medical doctor and founder of the Korean Polio Foundation. She has received numerous awards from national and international organizations for her contributions. 

 

Athletes may be nominated by the Chef de Mission of each National Paralympic Committee (NPC) present in Torino. Nominees must be athletes competing at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. Nomination forms should be submitted to the IPC Office located in the NPC Service Centres at either of the Paralympic Villages in Torino and Sestriere, before 15 March (24:00).

 

The winners of the Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize at the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games were Lauren Woolstencroft (CAN), who is also competing here in Torino, and Axel Hecker (GER).

 

For more information, please visit www.whangprize.org or contact Tony Flores at +39-333-1221-767.