Hou Bin (right) presents a gift to International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven at the signing ceremony on January 24, 2008. [BOCOG]

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) honored Chinese Paralympic champion Hou Bin as its first official ambassador last week as part of its efforts to promote the Paralympic Movement around the world.

Hou and nine other past and present Paralympic athletes will join the IPC Ambassador Project this year. They will become role models for young people with and without disabilities and act as awareness and communication envoys for the Paralympic Movement to enhance its public profile.

"IPC ambassadors include active and retired Paralympians with a record of excellent Paralympic performances. As inspiring individuals with a physical disability, they will promote the spirit of the Paralympics to the public and encourage the youth and future Paralympians to pursue their aims to be excellent Paralympians," said Sir Philip Craven, IPC president.

The Paralympian ambassadors will participate in public events on behalf of the IPC in their own regions and conduct a media campaign and attend IPC development or education programs.

The president said that delivering an inspiring public speech is one of the key requirements for these athletes. The related training program will be held at IPC headquaters in Bonn, Germany.

Hou Bin, 32, comes from Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province. After a serious leg injury in a train accident at nine years old, he picked up painting and carving. But he grew interested in Paralympic sports while watching the 1992 National Games for Disabled Persons.

At 1.94 m in height, Hou first took up wheelchair basketball and then javelin. But soon he found high jumping was his favorite sport.

"I enjoy flying in the air," he told China Daily.

Thanks to his athletic gifts and hard work, he took gold medals at three Paralympic Games in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

A celebrity in his hometown of Xiamen, Hou has been actively participating in various public events to share his experience and promote Paralympic sports.

"Hou has a very good personality, full of passion and energy, and he has good communication skills," Sir Philip said.

Hou said he always checks out the IPC website for up-to-date information about Paralympics as well as learn from other athletes from other countries.

"I feel so honored to be part of the program. I will take the opportunity to promote the assiduous athleticism of Paralympians and share their encouraging stories with the rest of the world," he said.

Becoming the first Paralympic Ambassador encourages him to defend his title at the Beijing Paralympic Games in September, he said.