Ms. Ann Cody

Background in the Paralympic Movement

Ann Cody brings 25 years of experience in the Paralympic Movement as an athlete, sports professional and leader. A veteran of three Paralympic Games in Wheelchair Basketball (1984) and Athletics (1988), Ann also competed in the wheelchair exhibition event at the 1988 Olympic Games. She has organized sports programs and competitions for persons with a disability from the local level to the Paralympic Games. Most recently, she was Senior Advisor to the New York City bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Ann currently holds leadership positions with the IPC, IOC, IIWBF and US Paralympics.

As Chair of the IPC Women in Sport Committee, Ann established an international network on women in Paralympic Sport and secured commitments for regional leadership summits to increase sport opportunities for girls and women with a disability. In the US, Ann has led several successful advocacy campaigns resulting in federal programs and several million dollars funding for Paralympic sports programming.

Please describe the direction in which you would like to see the IPC move

I would like to see the IPC significantly elevate the profile of the Paralympic Movement and our athletes over the next four years. To succeed we must focus on our core business of sport development, quality Paralympic competition, and a solid and balanced program for the Paralympic Games. And we must continue to cultivate the resources necessary to allow our athletes, sports, NPCs and IOSDs to grow even stronger.

I believe the Paralympic Movement is made stronger by ensuring that persons with a disability everywhere have the opportunity to participate in sports and that we have a responsibility to promote access and equity in sport. I believe the power of the Paralympic Games can be leveraged to improve living conditions for persons with a disability all over the world.

Please describe the attributes you could bring to the IPC as a member of the GB

I will bring the passion and commitment of a Paralympian; the expertise of a sports professional; and significant sports governance experience. I will bring the attributes my profession demands including creative and strategic thinking, planning and organizational skills, strong communications and diplomacy skills, consensus building and leadership. I will represent the IPC and the Paralympic Movement with great pride, enthusiasm and tireless devotion in service of our mission and purpose.