Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), awarded David Hadfield MBE, the former President of World Boccia, with the 2023 Paralympic Order during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Paralympic Order is the highest honor granted by the IPC, recognizing individuals and organizations for their significant and lasting contributions to the Paralympic Movement.
Hadfield was announced as a recipient of the Paralympic Order last year but could not attend the 2023 IPC General Assembly to receive the award. He was honored at South Paris Arena, the venue for boccia in the upcoming Games, after the competition on Sunday.
Serving as the founding President of World Boccia from September 2012 to March 2023, Hadfield’s journey in the sport began in 2009. He played a key role in separating boccia from the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA), establishing it as an independent International Sports Federation with members in 73 countries.
IPC President Andrew Parsons stated, “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 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.”
The Paralympic Order has been awarded since its inception in 1994.