"VAN" (Sports Desk - 18.07.2026) :: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced the four recipients of this year’s Classification Recognition Awards on Friday 17 July at its Annual Classification Meeting, held in Bonn, Germany. Penny Broomhead, Sharyn Gregory, Spridron Stavrou and Mohammed Amine Khelladi were recognised for their continued contribution to the field of classification, helping to safeguard the integrity of Para sport.
The 2026 award recipients each demonstrate a lifelong commitment to advancing classification, strengthening classification systems, educating and mentoring classifiers worldwide, and driving the continued evolution of classification across the Paralympic Movement. Their expertise spans multiple sports including Para athletics, Para cycling, Para equestrian, Para swimming and Para taekwondo. They have also made significant contributions to the development of Para sport and classification systems at the national level within the National Paralympic Committees of Great Britain, Australia, and Greece.
IPC Director of Classification, Tea Cisic said: “To the 2026 Award recipients, we are extremely proud and grateful for your selfless service to Para sport, your professionalism, mentorship, and your tireless drive to make classification better.
“It is important that all of us involved in Para sport take a moment to acknowledge the importance of their work and invest further efforts to raise the profile of classification personnel within the Movement and support the work they do to provide a framework for competition so that athletes can shine. Without these incredible individuals, the Movement would not be what it is today.”
Penny Broomhead
Penny Broomhead has dedicated more than 30 years to classification at both the national and international level. A chartered physiotherapist specialising in amputee and prosthetic rehabilitation, she has combined clinical expertise with a lifelong commitment to athlete support, classifier education and the advancement of classification systems. Broomhead has played a pivotal role in shaping modern athletics classification through rule reviews, the development of the British Athletics classification system following the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and leadership of the Classification Education Working Group. Her influence extends across numerous Para sports, including athletics, triathlon, cricket, golf, basketball, snooker and rugby. In 2025, she was awarded an MBE for services to international disability sport.
Sharyn Gregory
Sharyn Gregory has been a leader in classification for more than 25 years, serving as a national classifier since 1998 and an international classifier since 2000. As International Federation for Equestrian Sport’s (FEI) Head of Classification for Para equestrian since 2013 and Chair of the FEI Classification Working Group, she has played a pivotal role in aligning the FEI classification system with the IPC Classification Code, establishing a dedicated classification database, and driving research and education initiatives. A strong advocate for classifier development worldwide, Gregory has also contributed to the broader Paralympic Movement through her work on classifier education and the review of the IPC Classification Code.
Mohammed Amine Khelladi
With more than 20 years of leadership in classification, Mohammed Amine Khelladi has served as an international classifier since 2002 contributing across Para taekwondo, Para athletics, Para cycling and Para powerlifting. A key figure in the development of Para taekwondo classification, he has helped shape World Taekwondo’s classification rules and assessment procedures, having also served as Vice Chair of the World Taekwondo Classification Committee. He has educated classifiers for both World Taekwondo and World Para Athletics sport federations. Through his extensive expertise and leadership, Khelladi has made a significant contribution to strengthening classification systems and expanding the global classification workforce.
Spridron Stavrou
Spyridon Stavrou has dedicated more than 20 years to the Paralympic Movement, serving as an international classifier since 2009 and contributing to over 40 international competitions as a technical classifier. A Director of the National Paralympic Committee of Greece, he has played a key role in Para sport development and strengthened national classification capacity. He has also served on the World Para Swimming Classification Advisory Group for over a decade and helped shape classification rules, and strengthened classifier education programmes, making a significant contribution to the quality and consistency of Para swimming classification worldwide.
While presenting the recognition awards, Dr Mike Peters PLY, IPC CEO, said: “The Paralympic Movement owes so much to the dedication of classifiers - volunteers who generously give their time, expertise and passion to help shape it into what it is today. That is why we are especially proud to recognise and honour the extraordinary lifelong contributions of Penny, Sharyn, Amine and Spyridon in front of their peers.
“Not only has your commitment helped athletes compete on a level playing field and achieve their full potential, but your dedication to mentoring and developing future classifiers will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. On behalf of the IPC and the wider Paralympic Movement, thank you for your service, leadership and enduring impact.”
Launched in 2023, the IPC Classification Recognition Awards celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to classification across the Paralympic Movement. Recipients are recognised for their impact, leadership, innovation, reach, and years of service, while reflecting the diversity of roles, regions, and impairment groups within the Movement. The awards also acknowledge contributions at both national and international levels, including those of national classifiers.
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