Craven Outlines Agenda for Final Four Years as IPC President

(ATR) International Paralympic Committee president Phil Craven says if he is reelected this month, it will be for a final four years.

"In these four years, I’ll be setting up a bridge between the first 12 years of my presidency and whoever takes over from me in four years' time," he said, outlining his vision.

Craven, first elected in 2001, is 63. Since 2002, he’s been a member of the IOC by virtue of his IPC presidency.

He faces his first reelection challenge since taking office. The ballot for the November 24 election will also include the name of Alan Dickson, a leader in sport for cerebral palsy athletes. He, like Craven, is from England. Dickson filed at the deadline for nominations in August, his candidacy a surprise to his fellow countryman.

Unlike Dickson, Craven has the endorsement of the British Paralympic Association. That decision came in May well before Dickson declared to run, when it appeared that Craven would be the only candidate.

Tim Hollingsworth, BPA CEO, said Dickson "did not actively" seek the BPA’s nomination.

"We had some discussion but clearly Sir Philly sought the nomination actively and we invited him to speak to the membership in May," Hollingsworth said. "From that, the membership agreed that was the right course of action for the association."

Craven met with reporters at BPA headquarters in London alongside Hollingsworth.

Craven says he has objectives for a final term.

"I think we’ve got a stable relationship with the IOC and we’ve established our foundation - the AGITOS foundation - and the growth of Paralympic sport participation throughout the world is a key goal of our strategic plan, which finishes at the end of the 2014," he said. "Of equal importance, I would say, is the further development of the Paralympic Games."

He added that the IPC needs to reevaluate its role, 12 years after a planning conference in Kuala Lumpur that outlined goals for the organization for the years ahead. It was critical, Craven insisted, that the Paralympic Movement does not become "outside consultants."

"Next year, there will be a gathering, subject to my reelection, where all the members will come together and we’ll have two-way communications on issues that they may have, but also opportunities for the future."

Approximately 150 delegates from 150 countries will cast votes in the election to be held at the IPC Congress in Athens. A simple majority is needed to win the election. Also on the ballot will be elections for vice president and members of the IPC executive board.

Written byEd Hula.

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