McCullough represented the United States in seven-a-side football at Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 before being elected to the IPC Athletes' Council at the London 2012, a Games which also saw him take part in the Torch Relay.

McCullough was also chairman of the Athlete Council of the United States Soccer Federation and represented the sport of football on the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Advisory Council between 2004 and 2008.

At Salt Lake City 2002, he acted as athlete coordinator, a role he also served at Turin 2006 and Beijing 2008.

"The USOC is extremely saddened to learn of Jon McCullough's untimely passing," said USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun.

"Jon was a true champion of sport who made a tremendous impact on both the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

"As a Coast Guard veteran, two-time US Paralympian in soccer and as a leader, he made great contributions to sport development in the US and around the world.

"Both within and outside of the sports world, he impacted countless lives with his positive attitude and passion for life."

While serving with the US Coast Guard in 1989, McCullough suffered a traumatic head injury and permanent neck and shoulder damage in an accident out at sea.

Since then, he dedicated much of his life to promoting and developing opportunities for individuals with an impairment.

He was executive director of BlazeSports, an Atlanta based non-profit organisation founded for the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta to promote sports for athletes with an impairment.

Jon McCullough was elected to the IPC Athletes' Council at London 2012 ©Getty Images



McCullough also worked with a variety of international organisations, including the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, where he developed an international conflict resolution programme.

This included implementing a football programme with youth groups in the former Yugoslavia who were impaired from the war, putting them on the same teams and encouraging them to work through conflict.

He was also deputy director of Man Up, a global campaign to activate youth to stop violence against women and girls.

He served as a facilitator and keynote speaker at the Man Up Summit held during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which incorporated a week-long programme with 150 delegates from around the world developing domestic initiatives to stop violence against women and girls using sport and music as a tool.

While in South Africa, he also acted as a facilitator and keynote speaker for FIFA's Football for Hope youth initiative.

Commenting on his death, IPC President Sir Philip Craven, said: "The whole Paralympic Movement is deeply saddened by this tragic news and our thoughts are with Jon's family and friends as this terrible time.

"Jon was an unbelievably inspirational and popular man, an absolute joy to be around, and a huge advocate for the Paralympic Movement.

"He had boundless energy, a permanent smile on his face and always made an impression where ever he went.

"He will be sorely missed by us all."

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