Mr. Philip Craven from Great Britain was elected the new president of the International Paralympic Committee today at the IPC General Assembly held in Athens, Greece.

Craven has been the President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation for the last twelve years. Having been a Paralympic athlete himself in the sports of Wheelchair Basketball and Swimming, Craven has a thorough understanding of athletes’ concerns.

‘The IPC’s main responsibility has to be the organization, protection and development of increasingly successful Summer and Winter Paralympic Games,’ said Craven after his election. ‘The Paralympic Games have not yet become a marketing and business circus. Our values really are the combination of genuine amateur ethics and high performance sport.’

Craven succeeds Dr. Robert Steadward, who presided the organization since its inauguration in 1989. According to the IPC Constitution, officers can only be elected for a maximum of three terms of four years. Thus, Steadward’s term could not be extended.

The newly elected Executive Committee of the IPC is comprised of the following members:

President: Mr. Philip Craven, Great Britain

Vice President Policy and Planning: Dr. York Chow, Hong Kong

Vice President Games Liaison: Mr. Francois Terranova, France

Vice President Marketing: Dr. Nabil Salem, Egypt

Technical Officer: Ms. Carol Mushett, USA

Medical Officer: Dr. Björn Hedman, Sweden

Treasurer: Mr. John Teunissen, The Netherlands

Secretary General: Mr. Miguel Sagarra, Spain

Chief Operating Officer:
(ex officio member with speaking rights) Mr. Thomas Reinecke, Germany

For further information please contact:

Dr. Susanne Reiff
Director of Media and Communication
International Paralympic Committee
T: +49 171 74 333 27
E: susanne.reiff@paralympic.org