The multiple Paralympic medallist, who competed in wheelchair basketball and athletics at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Games, was last week nominated by US Paralympics for the position of IPC vice-president and she believes building on the relationship with the body's Olympic counterpart is vital to growing and developing the Paralympic Movement.

"Our partnership with the IOC is very important and I think that's a place where we really need to strengthen and grow relationships," Cody told insidethegames.

"The leaders from the larger National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and sports and certainly from the [IPC] Governing Board and other places already have relationships and networks that are connected to the IOC so just looking within and seeing where those relationships are really strong and vibrant and building on those is where we start."

While she believes the "evolution of the partnership, and the Paralympic and Olympic Movements" will determine much of the future, she admits that changing general attitudes towards people with a disability will be another key decider in how successful this cooperation can be and highlights the disability rights movement as a good place to start.

"It will also be determined by the evolution in thinking of the general population," Cody said.

"One of the main drivers that we are seeing in countries that have had disability rights laws, like the US, is a recognition that people with a disability are able to be part of their community where they live, with their family, with their peers, in sport and recreation and physical activity, that's what we are looking for, that is the way ahead.

"We are continuing to build the infrastructure to support that.

"I think we need to be looking to the future and talking about these trends and anticipating where they are taking us."

Cody is going head to head for the IPC vice-presidency with Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CBP) President Andrew Parsons but she says she has the right experience to bring a different capacity to the role than has been seen in the past.

"I bring a multitude of experience from the Paralympic Movement, starting as an athlete, working on organising committees and in governance roles," she told insidethegames.

"The multiple sectors that I've been in and dealt with really bring a different capacity to the vice-president than we've seen in the past."

And if elected to the role Cody has a clear idea of how she can support the IPC President by ensuring that the "democratic structure" of the body is used to its full potential.

Ann Cody, pictured here front row, third from right with her fellow IPC Governing Board members, says she can bring a different capacity to the IPC vice-presidency


"One thing that I appreciate is that the person who serves as vice-president of the IPC has an opportunity to really assist in the governing process by being able to do more of the outreach to our members," she explained.

"That's an area where we can do better, in terms of reaching out to our members and partners and really going beyond the work of the President and the chief executive.

"That's an important role that the vice-president can play because the President has a lot of demands on their schedule, and as an IOC member has commitments there as well.

"It's something I'd like to do as I think broader consultation and engagement is important and can help inform us on the big decisions and big issues that we want to address as a governing board.

"The governance structure that we have set up is a democratic structure, that's a really positive thing, I'd like to see us use that to our greatest benefit, and I don't think that we necessarily are currently doing that.

"That's not to say that we don't have enough input from the members, we certainly have on the big issues like the strategic plan.

"That process was very positive for us.

"I just think the direction that we go in philosophically, what the IPC stands for and where we are going, we need to look at that every quadrennium and check in with people in the movement at all different levels. That would be really beneficial."

Finally, Cody wants to draw on the momentum gained from London 2012 - which IPC President Sir Philip Craven declared as "the best Paralympic Games ever" - to not only improve still further the performances on the playing field but also to enhance the management of the Movement.

"Because of the momentum of London 2012 we have many opportunities, grassroots development is one but also shaping and developing our leaders and the people that work in the Paralympic Movement and the people we are able to attract," she said.

"To bring the skill sets and expertise that we need."

The IPC elections are due to take place at its general assembly in Athens on November 24.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2013: Paralympian Cody has the right credentials for IPC vice-president role, says US Paralympics
September 2013: Exclusive - Sir Philip is the best person to lead IPC, says vice-presidential candidate Parsons
August 2013: Britons go head to head for International Paralympic Committee Presidency
July 2013: Brazilian Paralympic President Parsons running for IPC vice-presidency