As well as athletics star Batalova,  now vice-president of the Russian Paralympic Committee and a member of Sochi 2014, and Hammershøi, who competed for Denmark in goalball at Atlanta 1996, the nominees for the title, which will be awarded at a special ceremony during the Games in Russia on March 8, include Iran's Fatemeh Rakhshani.

She is the current chair of the Asian Paralympic Committee's (APC) Women in Sport Committee, and makes the shortlist for her work with women in Parasport, particularly in her home nation.

Wheelchair racing coach and deputy secretary general of the Burundi National Paralympic Committee Nadia Harusimana also makes the highly competitive shortlist for her work in establishing the first sports club for women and girls with impairments in her country.

As a result of her efforts, Burundi now has national championships in women's sitting volleyball.

Poland's three-time Paralympic table tennis champion Natalia Partyka completes the shortlist for the award after she was nominated as the first International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Dream Building Ambassador in 2013.

Natalia Partyka is a strong contender for the 2014 IPC International Women's Day Recognition Award ©Getty Images


As well as competing alongside able bodied athletes at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics Games, she is a strong advocate of Para-table tennis.

The shortlist was created by IPC Women in Sport Committee members Tine Rindum Teilmann, Muffy Davis - herself a multiple Paralympic medallist - and Sima Limoochi after the IPC received a record number of nominations for the award from key stakeholders within the Movement.

"We are delighted that once again so many people and organisations came forward to nominate people who they thought had been instrumental in involving women in Parasport," Rindum Teilmann said.

"The number and quality of nominations shows the sheer number of people, athletes and administrators alike, who truly embody the spirit of inclusivity and equality that characterises the Paralympic Movement.

"Shortlisting the candidates was not an easy task and I wish everyone luck for March 8.

"May their great work and example, and of all those nominated, continue."

The winner will now be voted by the full committee.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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