Final call for Athletes’ Council nominations ahead of Monday’s deadline

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has made a final call to National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) for athletes to stand in September’s IPC Athletes’ Council elections ahead of Monday’s (16 May) deadline for nominations.

The Athletes’ Council acts as the liaison between athletes and decision-makers and influences how Paralympic sport and the Movement grow and develop. Nominations can be made online by NPCs until 16 May 2016. Elections will be held at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where all participating athletes in the Games will be eligible to vote.

Todd Nicholson, a five-time Paralympian and Chairperson of the Athletes’ Council, said: “Monday marks the deadline for nominations for the 2016 IPC Athletes’ Council elections. We are on the look-out for Proud Paralympians who want to act as the voice of the athlete community in the discussions and decisions that matter to them as athletes.

“We need people who are willing to dedicate the time to the Council to ensure it serves athletes in the best possible way, and continues to be a valued asset.

“We have made great progress in recent years, with athlete representatives on all IPC Committees as well as developing new ways of working with International Federations in order to engage athletes. The athlete voice has never been as loud in the Paralympic Movement and we want people to join the Council who can make it even louder.

“Being part of the IPC Athletes’ Council is a fantastic opportunity to have your say and shape the future for aspiring and current Paralympians.”

Athletes’ Council members are expected to represent the views of athletes from across Paralympic sport and have strong advocacy skills for athlete related issues. They have a track record of knowledge and respect on and off the field of play, are able to lead and are role models for para-sport.

They are required to attend various meetings and functions, including for the Council itself which meets twice a year and may be required to attend major events.

Only athletes competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games or who have competed in either of the two previous summer Paralympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) are eligible for nomination. Only one athlete per NPC is allowed to be on the Council at the same time, and NPCs can nominate only one candidate for election.

A complete list of candidates will be published two months prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and voting will take place at the Games between 5 and 16 September in the Athletes’ Dining Hall in the Paralympic Village.

The full eligibility criteria for candidates are outlined in the IPC Handbook, Chapter 2.5.1, Appendix 2 under the title “IPC Athletes Council Nomination & Election Procedures.”

Access information for the online nomination portal has been distributed to National Paralympic Committees.