By Nick Butler

Sir Philip Craven will be seeking a fourth and final term as IPC President in Athens ©Getty ImagesNovember 20 - A Presidential election pitting incumbent Sir Philip Craven against fellow Briton Alan Dickson will be the highlight of the 16th International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Conference and General Assembly due to begin in Athens on Friday (November 22).

Approximately 450 people from more than 150 countries are expected to descend on the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel in the Greek capital to attend, with the Presidential elections closing the three-day event on Sunday (November 24).

Dickson was nominated by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and will be the only challenger to Sir Philip, who is seeking a fourth and final term at the helm of the Paralympic Movement. 

It is estimated that close to 160 of the IPC's 200 plus members will be present to cast their votes.

There will also be elections for vice-presidential and Governing Board positions, with each candidate for the Board to first present their manifesto to the IPC membership.

The opening day will see attendees updated on the progress of the Agitos Foundation, the IPC's development arm which was launched in September 2012, as well as on strategic plans that have been developed for each of the Paralympic sports.

Among other components of the General Assembly will be a full review of the most recent Paralympic Games from Lord Chris Holmes, director of Paralympic integration at London 2012.

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will be on the agenda in Athens ©Getty ImagesThe London 2012 Paralympic Games will be on the agenda in Athens ©Getty Images

Updates will also be delivered by Organising Committees for the next four Games - Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020, while there will be a debate and votes taken on a number of motions and policies put forward by IPC members.

Another highlight, due to tae place on Saturday (November 23), will be the 2013 Paralympic Awards, which aim to recognise the "achievements of athletes, teams, officials and the media at the London 2012 Paralympic Games".

In what could potentially be one of his last acts as President, Sir Philip will present the Paralympic Order - the highest accolade anyone can achieve within the Movement - to four recipients.

Namely, these are former IPC Athletes' Council chairman Bob Balk, former International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) President Michael Barredo, wheelchair rugby founder Duncan Campbell and former International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC) and International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Para Equestrian Committee chair Jonquil Solt. 

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