The 48-year-old former swimmer from California, who is blind from birth, dominated the sport as she competed in every Paralympics from Arnhem 1980 to Athens 2004 and two of her numerous world records still stand today, eight years after she retired.

Zorn (pictured above) is joined by three hugely decorated athletes in a star-studded 2012 Hall of Fame with British swimmer Chris Holmes, Australian wheelchair racer Louise Sauvage (pictured below) and Italian athlete, wheelchair fencer and swimmer Roberto Marson also included.

With over 100 Paralympic medals between them, they will be officially accepted in London on Thursday (August 30) along with the late Australian coach Frank Ponta – credited with the success of numerous elite athletes, including Sauvage – who passed away in June 2011 at the age of 75 after a long illness.

"I would like to congratulate all five new inductees to the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame, they are all worthy of their place in the history books," said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven.

"The Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame is a high profile way of celebrating historical sporting achievements in the Paralympic Movement.

"It commemorates Paralympians and their coaches who have achieved true sporting excellence and ensures a permanent record and institutional memory is kept of their achievements.

"I'd like to thank Visa for their continued commitment of this event which is now becoming a Games time tradition."


Having started with the first inductees at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympics, the election and induction of new members has always taken place to coincide with the Paralympic Games, during the event itself.

"Visa is proud of our long-time association with the International Paralympic Committee and pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the Paralympic Hall of Fame," said global chief marketing officer of core products at Visa Kevin Burke.

"We're looking forward to the induction ceremony in London and celebrating the commitment and achievements of the inductees as well as the spirit of sportsmanship, excellence and community embodied in the Paralympic Movement."

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