The concept to introduce a representative group, which will collect the opinions of athletes and share them with the relevant governing bodies, was approved at the CPE's general assembly, chaired by Princess Elena in Madrid last month.

The Athletes' Council will be made up of representatives from all the Spanish federations on the summer or winter Paralympic programmes, as well members of the bodies governing sport in the nation for athletes with visual impairments, physical disability, intellectual disabilities, and for people with cerebral palsy.

One representative from the Spanish Federation of Sports for the Deaf will also feature as the only non-Paralympic federation.

The CPE secretary general, managing director and sports director will be also members of the Athletes' Council with speaking rights only.

Those running for the positions, which offer a term of four years, must be an active Paralympic athlete or have competed in the Games within the past eight years.

The Athletes' Council will meet up to three times a year.

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