“I feel honoured to be part of an organisation which not only encourages athletes at a Paralympic level, but also gives enormous hope and inspiration to the many who are trying to surpass their physical boundaries on a daily basis.”

Her Royal Highness (HRH) the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg hosted the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) biennial Honorary Board meeting on Thursday (15 October) at the Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg.

At the meeting, the Board was updated on the growth of the Paralympic Movement since 2013, the IPC’s 25th Anniversary, the IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018 and the progress of the IPC’s development arm, the Agitos Foundation. The Board was also informed about the success of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games and preparations for Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.

Amongst the Honorary Board Members attending were HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Paralympic ambassador Hassan Ali Bin Ali, a Paralympic Ambassador from Qatar, and soprano Maria Guleghina.

Ahead of the meeting, IPC President Sir Philip Craven was presented with the Officer of the Crown in the Civil and Military Order of Merit of Adolphe of Nassau by HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The distinction recognises Sir Philip’s excellence in developing the Paralympic Movement around the world.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said: “I am thrilled to receive such an honour from the Grand Duke for my services to the Paralympic Movement and would like to thank him and the Grand Duchess for their continued support of the IPC and Paralympic Movement’s activities.

“The Grand Duchess hosted a superb meeting in magnificent surroundings. It was great to feel the passion of all the Honorary Board members for the work the IPC is doing in developing and growing para-sport around the world.”

HRH the Grand Duchess said: “I feel honoured to be part of an organisation which not only encourages athletes at a Paralympic level, but also gives enormous hope and inspiration to the many who are trying to surpass their physical boundaries on a daily basis.”

The main purpose of the IPC Honorary Board is to allow leaders of society an opportunity to support the vision of the Paralympic Movement and to strive to keep the issue of sport for people with an impairment high on the agenda of the global community. Honorary Board Members assist the IPC in creating opportunities for raising awareness and funding, through their network of contacts and sphere of influence.

To request images from the IPC Honorary Board meeting, please email Lieven Coudenys at lieven.coudenys@me.com