“As with previous years, I expect the standard of nominations to be extremely high and believe the IPC Governing Board will have their work cut out deciding the three inductees for Sochi.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has opened the nominations process to IPC members and the public to put forward retired Paralympians and coaches to be inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame during the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Launched in 2006, the Paralympic Hall of Fame aims to recognise retired athletes and coaches who have a track record of excellent athletic performance, history of fair play and participation in community activities or service to the Paralympic Movement.

In March 2014, three new athletes will be inducted – one female athlete, one male athlete and one coach – into the Paralympic Hall of Fame.

The inductees will be chosen by the IPC Governing Board from the nominations submitted by National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled, regional organisations and the public who can submit their nominations to Laura.Schreder@paralympic.org before 18 December.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President said: “The Paralympic Hall of Fame grows in size and stature each edition of the Games and is an excellent, high-profile way of celebrating historical sporting achievements in the Paralympic Movement. It commemorates Paralympians and their coaches who have achieved true sporting excellence and ensures a permanent record and institutional memory is kept of their achievements.

“As with previous years, I expect the standard of nominations to be extremely high and believe the IPC Governing Board will have their work cut out deciding the three inductees for Sochi.”

To be eligible for induction, candidates must have participated in at least two Paralympic Winter Games and have won a number of medals or, in the case of a coach, through athlete(s) or team(s) they coached. Candidates must also have retired either before or shortly after the Vancouver 2010 Games.

The Paralympic Hall of Fame election and induction ceremonies take place every two years and coincide with the Paralympic Games. With the next induction coinciding with the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, only athletes and coaches involved in winter sports will be considered.

At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, the 2010 Paralympic Hall of Fame inductees included USA’s Paralympian Ambassador and multiple Paralympic champion Chris Waddell, Finland’s 10-time Paralympic gold medallist Tanja Kari and German coach Rolf Hettich.

At London 2012, four athletes with 100 Paralympic medals between them were inducted. This included the USA’s 41-time Paralympic champion swimmer Trischa Zorn – the most-decorated Paralympian of all-time – and Australia’s nine-time Paralympic champion Louise Sauvage – the fourth most successful female track athlete of all time.

Great Britain’s 15-time Paralympic swimming champion Chris Holmes was also inducted, as was Italy’s 16-time Paralympic champion Roberto Marson, who excelled in athletics, wheelchair fencing and swimming.