The General Assembly is the supreme authority of the IPC which meets every two years. A year before the Assembly, there is always a registration procedure.
Registration is essential and compulsory as only individuals that have been appointed by an IPC Member and have completed all the registration procedures will be eligible to receive an accreditation badge in accordance with the IPC Accreditation Policy.
The registration procedure includes two steps: the online registration and the payment of the registration fee.
All organisations must complete their registration online and on behalf of all individuals in their delegation (including official delegates, guides, interpreters, observers and accompanying guests). In addition to completing the online registration, participants must submit the mandates form for their delegation to IPC Membership Relations Manager Claire Magras.
Also, The Assembly also awarded trophies through the Paralympic Sport Award for honourable men and women representing their achievements from the most recent Paralympic Games. There are five award categories: Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Team Performance, Best Paralympic Games Debut and Exemplary Paralympic Games Official. All National Paralympic Committees and International Paralympic Sports Federations are eligible to submit nominations.
Registration is essential and compulsory as only individuals that have been appointed by an IPC Member and have completed all the registration procedures will be eligible to receive an accreditation badge in accordance with the IPC Accreditation Policy.
The registration procedure includes two steps: the online registration and the payment of the registration fee.
All organisations must complete their registration online and on behalf of all individuals in their delegation (including official delegates, guides, interpreters, observers and accompanying guests). In addition to completing the online registration, participants must submit the mandates form for their delegation to IPC Membership Relations Manager Claire Magras.
Also, The Assembly also awarded trophies through the Paralympic Sport Award for honourable men and women representing their achievements from the most recent Paralympic Games. There are five award categories: Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Team Performance, Best Paralympic Games Debut and Exemplary Paralympic Games Official. All National Paralympic Committees and International Paralympic Sports Federations are eligible to submit nominations.
The award winners
2005
Best Male Athlete
Brazilian swimmer Clodoaldo Silva (S4) was in superb form at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games winning six gold medals and a silver. He also set four world and five Paralympic records. During the Brazilian trials for the Games he broke all his personal bests and established two new world records.
Best Female Athlete
Japan's Mayumi Narita (SB3/SM4/S4) performances at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games were outstanding, with her emerging as the most decorated athlete of the Paralympics. Narita won seven gold medals and a bronze in the swimming pool, and also set six world and seven Paralympic records.
Best Team Performance
Canada’s Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team was a dominant force at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, completing an undefeated march to win the gold medal, defending their golden performance in Sydney 2000. The repeat Paralympic competition was even more convincing, as the Canadian Team outscored their competition by an average of 24 points per game and was never really threatened throughout the tournament.
Best Games Debut
Hong Kong's Wheelchair Fencer Chui Lee Yu made an impressive debut at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games as her excellent performance not only won her two gold medals in individual events but also helped her team to capture two gold medals.
Best Official
At the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Jonquil Solt of Great Britain, Chairperson of the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC), proved to be a calm but persistent and very enthusiastic leader who exercised sound judgement and compassion, demonstrated at various occasions. She succeeded in resolving difficult situations in an exceptional manner, admired by athletes, officials and members
Brazilian swimmer Clodoaldo Silva (S4) was in superb form at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games winning six gold medals and a silver. He also set four world and five Paralympic records. During the Brazilian trials for the Games he broke all his personal bests and established two new world records.
Best Female Athlete
Japan's Mayumi Narita (SB3/SM4/S4) performances at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games were outstanding, with her emerging as the most decorated athlete of the Paralympics. Narita won seven gold medals and a bronze in the swimming pool, and also set six world and seven Paralympic records.
Best Team Performance
Canada’s Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team was a dominant force at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, completing an undefeated march to win the gold medal, defending their golden performance in Sydney 2000. The repeat Paralympic competition was even more convincing, as the Canadian Team outscored their competition by an average of 24 points per game and was never really threatened throughout the tournament.
Best Games Debut
Hong Kong's Wheelchair Fencer Chui Lee Yu made an impressive debut at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games as her excellent performance not only won her two gold medals in individual events but also helped her team to capture two gold medals.
Best Official
At the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Jonquil Solt of Great Britain, Chairperson of the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC), proved to be a calm but persistent and very enthusiastic leader who exercised sound judgement and compassion, demonstrated at various occasions. She succeeded in resolving difficult situations in an exceptional manner, admired by athletes, officials and members
2007
Best Male Athlete
Canada's Nordic Skier Brian McKeever (B3) won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games, bringing his career total of Paralympic medals to seven.
Best Female Athlete
Canadian Alpine Skier Lauren Woolstencroft (LW1-9) was one of the stars at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, winning one gold and one silver medal. She had already won a total of six Paralympic medals in her young career, including three gold. She has also been the overall leader in World Cup standings over the last number of years, winning numerous World Cup events, World Championship medals and World Cup overall titles.
Best Team Performance
The Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey Team struck gold at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games, the country's first gold in the sport, with a 3-0 Final victory over Norway. The gold medal completed the Paralympic medal set for Canada in this sport, following bronze in Lillehammer 1994 and silver in Nagano 1998. In total, four veteran athletes of the Turin team participated on each of these teams.
Best Games Debut
Swiss athlete Thomas Pfyl (LW 9-2) made an outstanding debut at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Winter Games claiming one gold and one silver medal in the Alpine Skiing events. In addition, he topped the overall European Cup ranking in 2005/2006 as well as the World Cup ranking in 2007.
Best Games Official
At the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games, Karl Quade of Germany once again did an excellent job as Chef de Mission of the German Paralympic Team, adding another item to his long lists of outstanding contributions to the Paralympic Movement.
Canada's Nordic Skier Brian McKeever (B3) won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games, bringing his career total of Paralympic medals to seven.
Best Female Athlete
Canadian Alpine Skier Lauren Woolstencroft (LW1-9) was one of the stars at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, winning one gold and one silver medal. She had already won a total of six Paralympic medals in her young career, including three gold. She has also been the overall leader in World Cup standings over the last number of years, winning numerous World Cup events, World Championship medals and World Cup overall titles.
Best Team Performance
The Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey Team struck gold at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games, the country's first gold in the sport, with a 3-0 Final victory over Norway. The gold medal completed the Paralympic medal set for Canada in this sport, following bronze in Lillehammer 1994 and silver in Nagano 1998. In total, four veteran athletes of the Turin team participated on each of these teams.
Best Games Debut
Swiss athlete Thomas Pfyl (LW 9-2) made an outstanding debut at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Winter Games claiming one gold and one silver medal in the Alpine Skiing events. In addition, he topped the overall European Cup ranking in 2005/2006 as well as the World Cup ranking in 2007.
Best Games Official
At the Turin 2006 Paralympic Games, Karl Quade of Germany once again did an excellent job as Chef de Mission of the German Paralympic Team, adding another item to his long lists of outstanding contributions to the Paralympic Movement.
2009
Best Male Athlete
Australian Swimmer Matthew Cowdery (S9) won a total of eight Paralympic medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. He won four individual gold medals and five overall each in world record times as well as three silver medals. His performances far surpassed his expectations and he particularly enjoyed the 50m freestyle and the 4x100m medley relay.
Best Female Athlete
In her final Paralympic Games, Canada's Chantal Petitclerc (T54) won five gold medals covering distances from 100m to 1,500m despite facing a deep and talented field featuring many emerging Paralympic stars. Once again she rewrote the record book breaking three world and four Paralympic records. Petitclerc retired having won an impressive 21 Paralympic medals, including 14 gold, during a glittering career.
Best Team Performance
Australia's Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team, called the Rollers, upset the odds in Beijing beating reigning Paralympic and World Champions Canada in the gold medal match 72-60.
Best Games Debut
New Zealand's Sophie Pascoe (S10) made an outstanding debut at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games winning three gold and one silver medal in Swimming events. Aged just 15 she was the youngest New Zealand athlete ever to win a medal at a Paralympics.
Best Team Official
As China's Chef-de-Mission at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Wang Xinxian’s contributions were outstanding. He not only supported the preparations of the Beijing Games with his expertise in finances and human resources, he also ensured the participation of Chinese Paralympic athletes in all 20 Paralympic sports.
Australian Swimmer Matthew Cowdery (S9) won a total of eight Paralympic medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. He won four individual gold medals and five overall each in world record times as well as three silver medals. His performances far surpassed his expectations and he particularly enjoyed the 50m freestyle and the 4x100m medley relay.
Best Female Athlete
In her final Paralympic Games, Canada's Chantal Petitclerc (T54) won five gold medals covering distances from 100m to 1,500m despite facing a deep and talented field featuring many emerging Paralympic stars. Once again she rewrote the record book breaking three world and four Paralympic records. Petitclerc retired having won an impressive 21 Paralympic medals, including 14 gold, during a glittering career.
Best Team Performance
Australia's Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team, called the Rollers, upset the odds in Beijing beating reigning Paralympic and World Champions Canada in the gold medal match 72-60.
Best Games Debut
New Zealand's Sophie Pascoe (S10) made an outstanding debut at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games winning three gold and one silver medal in Swimming events. Aged just 15 she was the youngest New Zealand athlete ever to win a medal at a Paralympics.
Best Team Official
As China's Chef-de-Mission at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Wang Xinxian’s contributions were outstanding. He not only supported the preparations of the Beijing Games with his expertise in finances and human resources, he also ensured the participation of Chinese Paralympic athletes in all 20 Paralympic sports.
2011
Best Male Athlete
The German Alpine Skiier Gerd Schoenfelder took home four golds and one silver in his sixth and final Paralympic Games in Vancouver. In a glittering career he won 22 Paralympic medals, including 16 golds.
Best Female Athlete
Verena Bentele, a German visually impaired Nordic Skier, won five gold medals in as many races at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. She stood atop the podium in Biathlon (3km Pursuit, 12.5km Pursuit) and Cross-Country Skiing (15km Freestyle, 5km Classic Style, Sprint Classic Style), taking her total Paralympic Games medal count to 16, including an impressive 12 golds.
In 2011 she retired as the most successful Paralympic biathlete ever.
Best Team Performance
Despite losing 2-0 to USA in the gold medal match, Japan's Ice Sledge Hockey Team picked up an unlikely silver medal in Ice Sledge Hockey. The team caused a huge upset in the semi-finals beating hosts and competition favourites Canada 3-1.
Best Games Debut
Aged 19 at the time of the Vancouver Games, Ukranian Oleksandra Kononova won three gold medals and one silver in Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing events.
Best Official
As the IPC Technical Delegate for Cross Country Skiing and an assistant for Biathlon, Christian Egli helped develop the sit-ski sprint course for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and contributed to the newly created IPC Nordic Skiing points system.
The German Alpine Skiier Gerd Schoenfelder took home four golds and one silver in his sixth and final Paralympic Games in Vancouver. In a glittering career he won 22 Paralympic medals, including 16 golds.
Best Female Athlete
Verena Bentele, a German visually impaired Nordic Skier, won five gold medals in as many races at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. She stood atop the podium in Biathlon (3km Pursuit, 12.5km Pursuit) and Cross-Country Skiing (15km Freestyle, 5km Classic Style, Sprint Classic Style), taking her total Paralympic Games medal count to 16, including an impressive 12 golds.
In 2011 she retired as the most successful Paralympic biathlete ever.
Best Team Performance
Despite losing 2-0 to USA in the gold medal match, Japan's Ice Sledge Hockey Team picked up an unlikely silver medal in Ice Sledge Hockey. The team caused a huge upset in the semi-finals beating hosts and competition favourites Canada 3-1.
Best Games Debut
Aged 19 at the time of the Vancouver Games, Ukranian Oleksandra Kononova won three gold medals and one silver in Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing events.
Best Official
As the IPC Technical Delegate for Cross Country Skiing and an assistant for Biathlon, Christian Egli helped develop the sit-ski sprint course for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and contributed to the newly created IPC Nordic Skiing points system.
2013
Best Female
Esther Vergeer (NED) finished one of Paralympic sport’s most successful ever careers with a fourth wheelchair tennis singles title and gold in the doubles.
Shortlist: Yunidis Castillo (CUB) (athletics), Terezinha Guilhermina (BRA) (athletics), Zarah Nemati (IRI) (archery), Yu Chui Lee (HKG) (wheelchair fencing)
Best Male
David Weir (GBR) competed on eight days and was unbeatable winning four golds in as many events in what is widely regarded as one of Paralympic sport’s most competitive classes.
Shortlist: Patrick Anderson (CAN) (wheelchair basketball), Ryley Batt (AUS) (wheelchair rugby), Daniel Dias (BRA) (swimming), Heinrich Popow (GER) (athletics)
Best Female Games Debut
Marlou Van Rhijn (NED) followed up winning 100m and 200m European titles in June, by claiming 100m silver and 200m gold at the Paralympics. She also set new world records for both sprints in London.
Shortlist: Johanna Benson (NAM) (athletics), Michelle George (BEL) (equestrian)
Best Male Games Debut
Alex Zanardi (ITA), the former Formula 1 driver won two individual hand-cycling gold medals at Brand Hatch as well as team silver.
Shortlist: Raymond Martin (USA) (athletics), Jonnie Peacock (GBR) (athletics)
Best Team
Brazil Football 5-a-side, won their third successive gold in this event without even conceding a goal.
Shortlist: Canada Men’s Wheelchair Basketball, Australia Wheelchair Rugby
Best Official
Sylvia Sekowska (GER), Head Table Official for wheelchair rugby who, in the lead-up to the Games developed and delivered a comprehensive training project that enabled a pool of qualified National Technical Officials from the host country to be selected for the Games.
Shortlist: Edilson Rocha Tubiba (BRA), Louis Barbeau (CAN) (cycling)
Esther Vergeer (NED) finished one of Paralympic sport’s most successful ever careers with a fourth wheelchair tennis singles title and gold in the doubles.
Shortlist: Yunidis Castillo (CUB) (athletics), Terezinha Guilhermina (BRA) (athletics), Zarah Nemati (IRI) (archery), Yu Chui Lee (HKG) (wheelchair fencing)
Best Male
David Weir (GBR) competed on eight days and was unbeatable winning four golds in as many events in what is widely regarded as one of Paralympic sport’s most competitive classes.
Shortlist: Patrick Anderson (CAN) (wheelchair basketball), Ryley Batt (AUS) (wheelchair rugby), Daniel Dias (BRA) (swimming), Heinrich Popow (GER) (athletics)
Best Female Games Debut
Marlou Van Rhijn (NED) followed up winning 100m and 200m European titles in June, by claiming 100m silver and 200m gold at the Paralympics. She also set new world records for both sprints in London.
Shortlist: Johanna Benson (NAM) (athletics), Michelle George (BEL) (equestrian)
Best Male Games Debut
Alex Zanardi (ITA), the former Formula 1 driver won two individual hand-cycling gold medals at Brand Hatch as well as team silver.
Shortlist: Raymond Martin (USA) (athletics), Jonnie Peacock (GBR) (athletics)
Best Team
Brazil Football 5-a-side, won their third successive gold in this event without even conceding a goal.
Shortlist: Canada Men’s Wheelchair Basketball, Australia Wheelchair Rugby
Best Official
Sylvia Sekowska (GER), Head Table Official for wheelchair rugby who, in the lead-up to the Games developed and delivered a comprehensive training project that enabled a pool of qualified National Technical Officials from the host country to be selected for the Games.
Shortlist: Edilson Rocha Tubiba (BRA), Louis Barbeau (CAN) (cycling)