Swiss Paralympic medallist, world champion and politician Celine van Till is named ambassador for the European Para Championships 2027. The Championships will take place in Geneva from 2 to 15 August 2027, bringing together more than 2,000 of Europe’s leading Para athletes.
Born in Geneva and of Dutch heritage, Celine van Till was 17 years old when a horse-riding accident marked a turning point in her life. Having just joined the Swiss junior dressage, she suffered a severe fall during a training camp in Germany when her horse reared up and fell on top of her. The accident left her with a severe traumatic brain injury and in a month-long coma. Since then, she has lived with balance and coordination disorders, as well as a visual impairment.
Despite these lasting effects, the Geneva athlete has competed at the highest level in Para dressage, Para athletics and Para cycling. She represented Switzerland at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and won two silver medals in para cycling at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. She also competed at the first European Para Championships in Rotterdam in 2023, where she became European champion in both the road race and time trial. Most recently, she claimed her fourth consecutive world title in the tricycle time trial (T2 category) at the 2026 Para Cycling World Championships in Huntsville, USA.
Alongside her sporting career, Van Till is a member of the Grand Conseil of Geneva and actively advocates for inclusion and equal opportunities. As an ambassador, she helps raise awareness of the European Para Championships in Geneva and beyond. She uses her experience as an athlete and politician to put Para sport, sporting performances and the athletes behind them in the spotlight.
In her role as ambassador, Celine actively contributes to the communication campaigns leading up to the event. She participates in various stakeholder and media campaigns to increase the visibility of Para sport and further strengthen engagement with the sport.
Celine van Till:
“Geneva is my home, so it is very special to welcome Europe’s best Para athletes here in 2027. Having competed at the first European Para Championships in Rotterdam, I know what this event can mean for athletes and for the visibility of Para sport. Para athletes deserve a strong and visible stage, not only during the Paralympic Games, but throughout the years in between. I want to help more people discover the quality, intensity and diversity of Para sport and encourage them to experience the Championships for themselves.”
The European Para Championships bring together several official European championships in one host city. The 2027 programme features 12 sports: boccia, blind football, goalball, wheelchair rugby, para taekwondo, para archery, para badminton, para table tennis, wheelchair basketball 3×3, wheelchair tennis, para judo and para climbing.
Competitions will be held at Palexpo and at Parc Sarasin. Athletes will compete for European titles and, in several sports, qualification opportunities on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Eric Kersten, CEO of the European Para Championships:
“Céline knows what it takes to perform at the highest level and understands the importance of giving Para athletes the stage and recognition they deserve. She has a strong connection to Geneva, competed at our first edition in Rotterdam and brings valuable experience from both sport and politics. Together, we want to bring the Championships closer to the people of Geneva and increase the visibility of Para sport across Europe.”
The European Para Championships were first held in Rotterdam in 2023. Geneva will host the second edition from 2 to 15 August 2027.
Photo credits: Marko Stevic
