The American served as an athlete guide for cross-country skier Michelle Drolet at the Albertville 1992 and Lillehammer 1994 Paralympics, winning a bronze in the 1994 Games.

He then served as the head coach of the USA’s Paralympic cross-country skiing team from 1998-2006, during which time US athletes claimed 11 Paralympic podium positions, as well numerous World Cup wins and podium finishes.

Kreamelmeyer said: “I am truly honoured and humbled by this award. In life we all are connected and I was blessed to be connected with two elite assistant coaches in Jon Zdechlik and Scott Peterson and a group of amazing athletes. All of these athletes have overcome more adversity in their lives than I will ever experience. This honour would not have been possible without them.”

The visually impaired alpine skier competed in three Paralympic Winter Games from 1998-2006. He won five golds, three silvers and a bronze, making him Spain’s most successful winter Paralympian of all-time. From 2000-2004, he also won five world titles and a bronze medal.

Since retiring from competition, he has become an ambassador for Play and Train, an international organisation with the objective of providing access to the practice, learning and training of leisure and elite sport activities for people with an impairment.

Villalon Fuentes said: “Having the opportunity and the pleasure to receive this valuable award represents for me the culmination and recognition of a job well done by many people who have worked with me. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to practice the sport that I love, and thank you all for believing in me.”

The German Nordic skier is the most successful female biathlete of all-time and the second most successful cross-country skier. In four Paralympic Winter Games, she won 12 gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the visually impaired class.

She saved her best for last by winning five golds in as many events at the Vancouver 2010 Games. After Vancouver, she retired at age 29 and in 2011 was named Best Female at the Paralympic Sport Awards and won the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.

Bentele said: "I feel very honoured to be inducted to the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame. Sport has taught the most important lesson of my life: With an uncompromising will to win, persistence and hard work, you can overcome every hurdle and reach the goal you want to achieve. Being inducted to the Hall of Fame will keep this lesson alive whenever a challenge crosses my way."