The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) has paid tribute to Jean Stone MBE following her sad passing.

Stone was a hugely influential figure within sport for people with physical impairments and played a crucial role in establishing Stoke Mandeville – the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement – as a world renowned centre of excellence for disability sport.

IWAS President, Rudi Van Den Abbeele, said: “Jean was a towering figure within Para sport, especially during the early days. Her work to provide opportunities for young and newly disabled people to try sport helped countless athletes get the start they needed and many more to enjoy physical activity when they might have thought they could not. I myself was one of those people, having competed at several competitions in Great Britain administered and organised by Jean.

“It is thanks to people like her laying the foundations that today’s athletes enjoy increasing levels of recognition and support.

“On behalf of IWAS I would like to extend my condolences to Jean’s family and friends. Her legacy will live on for many years to come.”

Stone worked with the father of the Paralympic Movement, Sir Ludwig Guttman, in the early 60s to establish a sports organisation in Scotland that was representative of all impairment groups.

She was a founding member of the Scottish Paraplegic Association and the Scottish Sports Association for the Disabled which later became Scottish Disability Sport. Her drive and determination resulted in the establishment of WheelPower’s National Junior Games and the Inter Spinal Unit Games which still run today.

Stone was involved with the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation and the International Sport Organisation for the Disabled, which later became IWAS, from a sports technical perspective. These two organisations were part of the International Coordination Committee who came together every four years to organise the Paralympic Games before the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was formed.

Stone also volunteered for the IPC, helping to establish many of its governance structures. As a result Stone was awarded the Paralympic Order in 2003, the highest honour a person connected with the movement can receive.

Stone worked for WheelPower for many years as a sports administrator. Following her retirement she stayed involved as the Chairperson of their Sports Management Committee and a board member. She was recognised again in 2018 when she was inducted into the WheelPower Stoke Mandeville Hall of Fame.

A wider summary of Stone’s work, influence and achievements can be found here.