Deng Pufang, a renowned leader of persons with a disability and
social activist in China and across the world, was awarded the
Paralympic Order by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) at
its general assembly in Beijing on Saturday.
Along with Deng, 10 other people were given the highest tribute
a person connected with the Paralympic Movement may achieve.
Deng is currently the President of the Chinese National
Paralympic Committee, the China Disabled Persons' Federation and
Executive President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the
2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Regarding sports as an important component of the work on
disability, Deng has been pushing its development since the 1980s.
With his leadership, sports for persons with a disability in China
have achieved rapid progress over the last two decades.
The Paralympic Order, which was launched in 1994, is awarded to
people and organizations that have made outstanding and
long-lasting contributions to the Paralympic Movement. Before 2003,
the Paralympic Honor was given out in three categories (Gold,
Silver, Bronze).
(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2005)
