PARALYMPICS Anne Ebbs Awarded the Paralympic Order

07 Oct 2008
Over the weekend the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) awarded Ireland's Anne Ebbs with its highest honour; the Paralympic Order for the incalculable contribution she has made to the Paralympic Movement. She was presented with the award in person by IPC President Sir Philip Craven during a private ceremony in Dublin.
Ms. Ebbs; outgoing Secretary General of the Paralympic Council of Ireland from Drogheda in Co. Louth, was instrumental in the development of Paralympic Sport in Ireland. Leading the Paralympic Council of Ireland from 1987 to 2008, Ms. Ebbs has been the driving force behind Paralympic Sport in Ireland bringing it to a position where it is equivalent to high performance sport with able-bodied federations.

In addition, she ensured 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 Ireland. Anne Ebbs has steered the Paralympic Council of Ireland to the respected place it now occupies in Irish sport and as she moves into retirement leaves a wonderful legacy in her place.

 

Speaking at the event in Dublin IPC President Sir Philip Craven said: "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.

 

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