The inaugural OCS Irish Paralympic Awards will take place on December 7 this year following the London 2012 Paralympic Games and will be the first event of its kind in Irish Paralympic sport.

"I am delighted to launch these awards which provide a great opportunity to recognise Irish Paralympic Sport," said Ring.

"Last year was another remarkable year for Ireland's Paralympic athletes and I wish all the team continued success at the London 2012 Games later this year."

James Gradwell (pictured below left with Ring and Padraic Moran right) President at Paralympics Ireland, said that he was delighted that the OCS Irish Paralympic Awards will be honouring the achievements, successes and contributions of the Irish Paralympic team and its support network over the London cycle.


"The recipients of these first formal awards conferred by Paralympics Ireland will have displayed great athletic prowess at the second biggest sporting event on the planet this year, the London 2012 Paralympic Games," said Gradwell.

"It is highly appropriate that we honour and celebrate the success our elite athletes bring to Ireland.

"We look forward to a wonderful night of celebration with our OCS and the Irish Paralympic Family."

Mailo Power, Awards Committee chairperson, outlined details of the awards and the categories including the OCS Irish Paralympic Sports Awards, OCS Irish Paralympic Media Awards and the OCS Irish Paralympic Merit Awards.

The sports awards feature the categories of outstanding male performance, outstanding female performance, outstanding Games debut performance, young Paralympian of the Games and outstanding member of the Irish Paralympic team.

The media awards feature the categories of TV broadcast, radio broadcast, photographic image and written (print or web).

The merit awards feature the categories of Hall of Fame and the Irish Paralympic Order.

"OCS are delighted to be associated with the Irish Paralympic Team in the lead up to the Paralympic Games as the athletes strive to realise their sporting dreams in London," Cecil Ryan, regional managing director OCS Europe.

"The athletes are a great source of inspiration for all of us and we are very pleased to support and be associated with them.

"We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the Irish team and its wonderful support staff, at the inaugural OCS Irish Paralympic Awards post London 2012, which will undoubtedly be an occasion to remember."

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