The BP Courage Award will be presented during a special ceremony in Mexico City on November 14 ©IPC

A new award sponsored by BP recognising the courage of an individual, team or organisation at a Paralympic Games will be presented at this year's Paralympic Sport and Media Awards in Mexico City, it has been announced.

The BP Courage Award was first presented to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) at the anniversary dinner marking 25 years of the IPC in Berlin last October and will now be presented biennially from this November.

The Award aims to recognise an individual, team or organisation that at last year's Winter Paralympics in Sochi showed either the inner strength to redefine their own possibilities, made an impact on perceptions of what others may deem unexpected or resilience to truly excel in the face of challenges.

"The IPC was deeply honoured and humbled to receive the first ever BP Courage Award in 2014 in recognition of its 25th anniversary," said Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC. 

"We are delighted that the award will now be presented biennially to an IPC member as part of the Paralympic Sport and Media Awards.

"Courage is one of the Paralympic Movement's four values, and is displayed in different shapes and forms each day by Para-athletes, teams and IPC member organisations. 

"Courage is never more so on display than at a Paralympic Games, an event which is viewed by billions of people around the world.

"It is fitting therefore that this year the award will recognise courage displayed at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games."

International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven shows off the special ceritificate presented to the governing body after winning the first-ever BP Courage Award in Berlin last year
International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven shows off the special ceritificate presented to the governing body after winning the first-ever BP Courage Award in Berlin last year ©Getty Images

Nominations for the award, due to be presented at the Allianz supported Paralympic Sport and Media Awards on November 14, are now open and are scheduled to close on July 15 at 12:00CET.

All members of the IPC, including National Paralympic Committees, regional organisations, International Federations and International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled are eligible to submit one nomination

"Courage is a core value for both the IPC and for BP," said Peter Henshaw, group head of communications at BP, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies. 

"We see it as facing adversity, working to achieve difficult goals and always striving to do better.

"The IPC and its many members and participants demonstrate these values every day.

"We hope this award will highlight some of the many examples of outstanding commitment and courage within the Paralympic Movement."



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