Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), awarded David Hadfield MBE, the former President of World Boccia, the prestigious 2023 Paralympic Order at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This accolade is the highest honor given by the IPC, recognizing individuals and organizations for their significant and enduring contributions to the Paralympic Movement.
Hadfield was named a recipient of the Paralympic Order last year but was unable to attend the 2023 IPC General Assembly to receive the award. Consequently, Parsons presented him with the honor at the South Paris Arena, the boccia venue for Paris 2024, after the competition concluded on Sunday.
David Hadfield MBE served as the founding President of World Boccia from September 2012 until March 2023, though his involvement in the sport began in 2009. He played a crucial role in the transition of boccia from the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) to a separate International Sports Federation, which now has membership from 73 countries.
Parsons expressed, “There is no greater honor as IPC President than to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Paralympic Movement with the Paralympic Order. In just over one decade, David Hadfield has led the transformation of boccia from a minor sport within CPISRA to a successful independent federation and one of the fastest-growing Paralympic sports. The evolution of World Boccia due to David’s efforts has been nothing short of remarkable.”
The first Paralympic Order was awarded in 1994.