Anne Ebbs Honoured with Paralympic Order

Said Sir Philip: “Ann Ebbs typifies that which is great about an athlete, volunteer and staff member by being committed to Paralympic Sport and fighting for the rights of athletes, thus furthering the cause of the Paralympic Movement.”

Ms. Ebbs, former Secretary General of the Paralympic Council of Ireland, was instrumental in the early days of the development of Paralympic Sport in Ireland. Leading the Paralympic Council of Ireland from 1987 to 2008, Ms. Ebbs brought Paralympic Sport in Ireland to a position where it is equivalent to high performance sport with able-bodied federations. In addition, she had all disability sport federations work together to achieve common goals as well as encouraging able-bodied federations to develop and promote opportunities for athletes with a disability within their respective sport. Ms. Ebbs also competed as an athlete in Table Tennis in four Paralympic Games (1972-1984), winning several medals for her country.

Said Sir Philip: “Ann Ebbs typifies that which is great about an athlete, volunteer and staff member by being committed to Paralympic Sport and fighting for the rights of athletes, thus furthering the cause of the Paralympic Movement.”

The Paralympic Order is the highest tribute a person connected with the Paralympic Movement can achieve. It honours persons who have made important contributions to the Paralympic Movement, have illustrated the Paralympic ideal through their actions, have achieved remarkable merit in the Paralympic sporting world or have rendered outstanding services to the Paralympic cause.

For information about the Paralympic Order and past recipients, please visit www.paralympic.org, under Awards and Events, then Paralympic Order.