The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons presented David Hadfield OBE, former President of World Boccia, with his 2023 Paralympic Order earlier this week (1 September) at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Paralympic Order is the highest and most prestigious accolade anyone can be recognised with by the IPC. It is awarded to individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding and long-lasting contribution to the Paralympic Movement.
Although Hadfield was named as a Paralympic Order recipient last year, he was unable to attend the 2023 IPC General Assembly to collect his accolade. As a result, the IPC President presented him with the award at South Paris Arena, the Paris 2024 boccia venue, following competition on Sunday.
David Hadfield OBE served as founding President of World Boccia from September 2012 until March 2023. However, his involvement with the sport began in 2009. He negotiated the separation of boccia from the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) to create a standalone International Sports Federation which counts membership across 73 countries.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President said: “There is no greater honour as IPC President than to recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Paralympic Movement with the Paralympic Order.
“In just over one decade, David Hadfield spearheaded the transformation of boccia from a small sport within CPISRA to a thriving independent federation and one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports. The evolution of World Boccia thanks to David’s efforts has been nothing short of remarkable.”
