Phil Craven

Phil Craven studied at Manchester University, graduating with honors in 1972. When he was 16-years-old he fell while rock climbing, which left him paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, but he began competing in wheelchair basketball and in swimming. He competed at the 1972 Paralympics in swimming and the 1988 Paralympics in basketball.

After the 1972 Paralympics Craven went to France where he played for Club Olympique de Kerpape in basketball, helping them twice become French national champions and cup winners. He returned to Britain in 1974 and worked for British Coal from 1974-91, when he devoted himself full-time to sports administration.

Craven had become Chairman of the Great Britain Basketball Association on three occasions and in 1989 was made President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation. He became President of the International Paralympic Committee in 2001, serving through 2017. Through that role, Craven was made a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2003, staying on the IOC through 2017. After stepping down from those roles, Craven returned to the business world, serving on corporate boards, notably that of the Toyota Motor Corporation.