The 78-year-old first competed at the 1971 International Stoke Mandeville Games before also attending the 1976, 1980, and 1984 Paralympic Games.

He is credited with playing a key role in introducing wheelchair basketball in his home country Denmark.

"This event inspired me a lot," Vilhelm Nielsen said.

"I brought back to Denmark inspiration about how to develop new sports and I created a wheelchair basketball team which I returned to the Stoke Mandeville Games with in 1974."

After he his playing career came to an end, Vilhelm Nielsen took up administrative roles and was elected as one of four vice-president of the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation in 1982.

He was then elected as IWA vice-president in 2000 and has since held roles of secretary general and member, in addition to serving on the International Paralympic Committee Executive Committee from 2009 to 2013.

"Karl is a much admired and respected member of the Paralympic Movement, both in Denmark and internationally," said IWAS President Rudi van den Abbeele.

"His contributions throughout his 51 years of involvement will continue to be felt for many years to come.

"Karl has always been an avid supporter of the merge between IWAS and CPISRA and has been instrumental in getting the two organisations to this point.

"I am pleased he saw this goal come to fruition during his time on the IWAS Executive Board. On behalf of the IWAS members, staff and Executive Board, we wish Karl all the very best in his retirement."

Van den Abbeele and IWAS' honorary treasurer Bob Paterson closed the most recent IWAS General Assembly with an official vote of thanks to Vilhem Nielsen which "was met with applause from the members in recognition of his dedication and commitment throughout his years of service."