IPC Honours Paralympic Order Recipients

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially honoured seven individuals with the Paralympic Order for the contribution that they have made to the Paralympic Movement.

The seven distinguished individuals include:

Valeriy Sushkevych, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine

Maura Strange, Executive Director and Secretary General of the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS)

Pol Wautermartens, former Chairperson of the IPC Powerlifting Sport Technical Committee

Tony Sainsbury, former Vice-President IWBF Europe and five-time Chef de Mission of the British Team for the Paralympics

Jerry Johnston, founder of the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS)

Jens Bromann, former President of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)

Bob Fisher, former Chairperson of the Football 7-a-Side Committee of the Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA)

Said IPC President Sir Philip Craven: "The recipients this year have clearly illustrated the Paralympic ideal through their actions, and have either achieved remarkable merit in the world of Paralympic Sport, or have rendered outstanding services to the Paralympic cause."

On the occasion of the 10/20 Anniversary of the IPC, three of the seven individuals received the award during a dinner event in Bonn. Those recipients included Mr. Sainsbury, Ms. Strange and Mr. Bromann. Mr. Sushkevych, Mr. Wautermartens, Mr. Johnston and Mr. Fisher will receive their Paralympic Orders at a later date this year.

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 past recipients, please visit the Paralympic Order section of IPC's official website.