CRITERIA: The Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC President’s Disabled Athlete Award is presented annually to the physically or mentally challenged athlete who displays courage, desire, and athletic ability in the face of adversity to achieve the goals set forth in the athlete’s particular arena of competition.
Previous Recipients
- 2018
- Dan Cnossen – Paralympic Biathlon Gold Medalist, Pyeongchang 2018
- 2017
- Oksana Masters – Paralympic Cyclist and World Para Nordic Skiing Champion
- 2016
- Omara Durand – Paralympic Sprinter, 100m and 400m World Record Holder
- 2015
- Tatyana McFadden – Paralympian Wheelchair Racer, 2015 London Marathon Gold Medalist
- 2014
- Roman Petushkov – Sochi Paralympic Games Six-Time Gold Medalist
- 2013
- Tatyana McFadden-2012 London Paralympic Wheelchair Race Gold Medalist/2013 Boston and London Wheelchair Race Champion
- 2012
- U.S. Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder-Blind Double Gold Medalist Swimmer, 2012 London Paralympics
- 2011
- Anthony Robles – One-Legged NCAA Wrestling Champion in the Open 125-Pound Class, Arizona State University
- 2010
- Maya Angelou – World Renowned Poet
- Gerd Schonfelder – Paralympic Skier with Eighteen Gold Medals
- 2009
- Chantal Petitclerc – Paralympic wheelchair racer, Canada
- 2008
- Oscar Pistorius – Paralympic sprinter, South Africa
- 2007
- Jessica Long – Paralympic swimmer, USA
- 2006
- Ljiljana (Lilo) Ljubisic – Paralympic discus thrower, Canada
- 2005
- Sir Philip Craven – International Paralympic Committee President, England
- 2004
- Rudy Garcia-Tolson – Paralympic swimmer and marathoner, USA
- 2003
- Muffy Davis – Paralympic skier, USA
- 2002
- Marlon Shirley – Paralympic sprinter, USA
- 2001
- Shea Cowart – Paralympic sprinter, USA
- 2000
- Erin Popovich – Paralympic swimmer, USA
- 1999
- Chris Waddell – Paralympic skier, USA
- 1998
- Scot Hollonbeck – Paralympic wheelchair racer, USA
- 1997
- Cato Zahl Pedersen – Paralymic skier, Norway
- 1996
- Jean Driscoll – wheelchair marathoner, USA
- 1995
- Tony Volpentest – Paralympic sprinter, USA
- 1994
- Al Mead – Paralympic athlete, USA
- 1993
- Linda Mastandrea – Paralympic wheelchair racer, USA
- 1992
- Mark Wellman – mountain climber/alpine skier, USA
- 1991
- Bart Dodson – Eight Paralympic swimming golds, USA
- 1990
- Andy Leonard – Special Olympics powerlifter, USA
- 1989
- Jim McLaren – triathlete, USA ed to growth of physical fitness in America