The 38-year-old Assmann was elected almost unanimously as she polled 53 out of 58 votes at the CPSF General Assembly in Paris.

She will succeed the outgoing Gérard Masson, who decided not to stand for another four-year term as President.

"I am honoured by the confidence I have just been given after having received so much when I was an athlete," said Assmann.

"I have the heart to offer the best of my energy and my passion for this mandate, with the desire to grow and shine the Paralympic Movement.

"I want to provide better conditions for practice, and all athletes with disabilities will be the focus of my investment.

"This will be a collaborative effort with all members of the Board of Directors.

"I am confident because I know the commitment, dedication and team spirit that characterise each of them."


Assmann was recently appointed as Chef de Mission of the French team for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games and as secretary general of the French Disabled Sports Federation.

Masson steps down shortly after taking France to 16th place on the medal table at the London 2012 Paralympics where they won 45 medals, eight of which were gold.

It was their worst-ever position in the medals table and the total of gold medals won was their lowest since the Games were held at Tokyo in 1964.

He will remain on the CPSF Board - after a new 12 member Board was elected at the General Assembly.

As well as Assmann and Masson, the Board consists of Catherine Fayollet, Roy Account, Jean-Paul Moreau, Marc Truffaut, Laurent Allard, Jean-Jacques Mulot, Florence Alix-Gravellier, Charles Gandia, Philippe Bouclet and Yves Foucault.

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