By Nick Butler

Bob Balk is one of the four recipients after competing at six Summer and Winter Paralympic GamesNovember 1 - Bob Balk, Michael Barredo, Duncan Campbell and Jonquil Solt are to be awarded the Paralympic Order at a ceremony in Athens later this month.
Each of the recipients have made "important contributions to the Paralympic Movement and have illustrated the Paralympic ideals either in the sporting world or via outstanding services to the cause of the Movement," it is claimed.

Balk, an American, was the former chairman of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes' Council and Barredo former President of the International Blind Sport Association (IBSA).

Campbell was effectively the founder of wheelchair rugby and Solt was the former chair of the IPC Equestrian Committee and International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) Para Equestrian Technical Committee.

The Order is the highest honour a person connected with the Paralympic Movement can receive,

It will be distributed during the 2013 Paralympic Awards, due to be held alongside the IPC General Assembly in the Greek capital, on November 23.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven, presenting previous Paralympic Orders, will be awarding four new recipients in AthensIPC President Sir Philip Craven, presenting previous Paralympic Orders, will be awarding four new recipients in Athens



Balk is a six-time Paralympian for the United States who won six medals between 1994 and 2006 at various Summer and Winter Games in pentathlon and cross country skiing. 

In 2004, he was elected to the IPC Athletes' Council and five years later became the chairman.

He then served for four years, overseeing the first Paralympic reunion event in London, the first Athlete Leadership Summit and the launch of the International Paralympians Association.

He was also integral in ensuring that there was an athlete representative on all IPC standing committees.

Barredo lost his sight in an accident in 1979 and then helped develop sports for visually impaired people around the world as well as grow Para-sport in his native Philippines.

Although a competent athlete, Barredo made his mark in sports administration.

During 34 years he served in many positions, most notably as President of IBSA from 2005 until 2013.

He was also the founding President of the National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines in 1997, with nine athletes from the Asian country attending London 2012.

Michael Barredo has had a long career in sports administrationMichael Barredo has had a long career in sports administration

Campbell, a Canadian, is recognised due to his pioneering role in founding the sport known today as wheelchair rugby.

In 1977 him and a small group of friends developed the basic rules, regulations and chair design that form the basis of the team sport which made its full Paralympic debut at Sydney 2000.

Previously a member of Canada's national team, he remains active in the sport today as a player, recruiter, motivator, teacher and tactician.

Solt, who is from Britain, has been involved in equestrian for people with an impairment since 1965 and was the first person to organise an international dressage competition for riders with a disability.

She was the founding vice-chairman of the IPC Equestrian Committee in 1991, and four years later took over as chair.

During her leadership, she set out most of the sport's infrastructure and, together with a team of experts, developed equestrian into a Paralympic sport which made its debut at Atlanta 1996. 

In 2001 it was integrated into the World Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Solt remained as chair of the FEI Equestrian Technical Committee until her retirement in 2008.

The four recipients for 2013 join an impressive list of past winners since the Order was first awarded in 1994.

In 2012 this included those involved with Paralympics in London, including London Mayor Boris Johnson.

London Mayor Boris Johnson was awarded with the Paralympic Order in September for his contributions during London 2012London Mayor Boris Johnson was awarded with the Paralympic Order in September for his contributions during London 2012








As well as Johnson, last year's recipients consisted of Sebastian Coe, Sir Keith Mills  and Paul Deighton, chairman, deputy chairman and chief executive respectively of London 2012.

Also awarded was Chris Holmes,  director of Paralympic integration at London 2012.

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September 2013: Mayor presented with Paralympic Order for London 2012 contributions