last updated on November 19, 2005 00:00

Britain’s Jonquil Solt has been voted the Exemplary Paralympic Games Official of the 2004 Athens Games, one of five new paralympic sports awards presented by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Solt, who received her OBE in 2004 and is the chairperson of the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC), received her trophy at a gala dinner, which followed IPC’s general assembly in Beijing, China, on 19 November 2005.

“It is a huge honour to be given this by my peers,” she said.

The awards recognise the achievements and contributions of athletes and officials at the most recent Paralympic Games.

Nominations highlighted Solt’s sound judgement, compassion and enthusiastic leadership qualities. She persuaded the Athens organising committee to pay for the transport costs of the equestrian team horses, which are not normally covered. She also took swift actions to ensure rider safety and minimise distress and delay after the unexpected death of a French athlete’s horse.  In the medal ceremony, she enabled the Paralympic gold winner to offer his flowers to the French rider, despite this being against protocol. She also arranged a venue for family and friends to meet competitors and their horses after the competition.