The 48-year-old former swimmer from California, blind since birth, won a staggering 55 medals, including 41 golds, in seven Paralympic games from Arnhem 1980 to Athens 2004.

"This is a huge honour," said Zorn (pictured top, back row, far left and below).

"I am so grateful and proud to be a Paralympian and this is a very special moment for me."

She was joined by three hugely decorated athletes in a star-studded 2012 Hall of Fame with British swimmer Chris Holmes, Australian wheelchair racer Louise Sauvage and the late Italian athlete, wheelchair fencer and swimmer Roberto Marson also inducted.

Also inducted was the late Australian coach Frank Ponta – credited with the success of numerous elite athletes, including Sauvage – who passed away in June 2011 at the age of 75 after a long illness.

Stefania Marson, the daughter of Marson, collected his award while a tearful Sheryl Manolini, a family friend of Ponta, collected his award.

All five Paralympic legends were inducted by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven (pictured top, front row, far left) in front of a star-studded audience that included London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge.

"I would like to congratulate all five new inductees to the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame, they are all worthy of their place in the history books," said Sir Philip.

"The Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame is a high profile way of celebrating historical sporting achievements in the Paralympic Movement.

"It commemorates Paralympians and their coaches who have achieved true sporting excellence and ensures a permanent record and institutional memory is kept of their achievements.

"I'd like to thank Visa for their continued commitment of this event which is now becoming a Games time tradition."

Having started with the first inductees at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympics, the election and induction of new members has always taken place to coincide with the Paralympic Games, during the event itself.

"Visa is proud of our long-time association with the International Paralympic Committee and pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the Paralympic Hall of Fame," said global chief marketing officer of core products at Visa Kevin Burke.

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