Duane Kale, vice-president of the IPC, has been admitted to the Attitude Hall of Fame in New Zealand ©IPC

The new vice-president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Duane Kale, has been admitted into the Attitude Hall of Fame in his native New Zealand.

This is an award run by a New Zealand television programme on TVNZ1 designed to promote integration of people with disabilities and it was recently presented in Auckland.

Kale was the first winner from a Para-sport background.

His glittering career saw him win won six medals, including four golds, in swimming at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics, and he stayed involved in the Paralympic Movement after retiring from competition.

He served as Chef de Mission for New Zealand at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympics, as well as on the governing board of the IPC.


Duane Kale is pictured after being elected vice-president of the IPC in September ©Getty Images
Duane Kale is pictured after being elected vice-president of the IPC in September ©Getty Images

Interviewed after being elected in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, Kale said: 

"What we now have got is a combination with diversity.

"I can provide some of that athlete background.

"I've got a disability, so collectively we're better positioned as an organisation because we have diversity.

"I think that's what will make this combination very, very strong."