International Paralympic Committee Athletes Council Election 2012 Summer Sport Representatives
INTRODUCTION International Paralympic Committee Athletes Council In 1989, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) included in its structure the Athletes Committee as a Standing Committee of the IPC. The first election of the Athletes Committee was held in 1990 during the World Games for the Disabled in Assen, the Netherlands. Following the strategic review in 2003, the IPC Athletes Committee became an Advisory Council and was renamed IPC Athletes Council. The primary goal of the IPC Athletes Council is to act as the link between the IPC organization and Paralympic athletes, thus ensuring that the organization s priorities maintain an athlete-centred focus. During the Paralympic Games, the IPC organizes the election of new council members: Six (6) athletes are elected during each Paralympic Summer Games Three (3) athletes are elected during each Paralympic Winter Games Since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, the election has been organized at the Paralympic Village during the Games period. The percentages of athletes participating in the Elections have been a record number of 88,72% at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and 80% at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games. IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 3
IPC ATHLETES COUNCIL ELECTION Catch the Spirit and Vote Today! Your vote can make a difference. By casting your vote, you are selecting who will represent you as an athlete. You are expressing your opinion and choosing a Paralympian who will express your opinions, concerns and suggestions to the IPC and the Paralympic Movement. Who can vote? Only Aa Accredited Athletes are allowed to vote. When and where? Simply go to one of the Voting Centres in the Main Dining Halls of the Paralympic Villages indicated below and cast your vote. London Paralympic Village Voting Centre 27 August 7 September 2012 from 9:00 21:00 Sailing Paralympic Village Voting Centre 29 August 6 September 2012 from 9:00 21:00 Rowing Paralympic Village Voting Centre 30 August 2 September 2012 from 9:00 21:00 Please note that operating hours will vary on the day of the Opening Ceremony. 4 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
HOW TO VOTE To vote, you simply need to: 1. Go to one of the Voting Centres 2. Show your accreditation card. Your card will be checked in the Voting Registration System and it will be checked that you are eligible to vote. 3. In the voting booth, follow the instructions of the electronic voting system or complete the voting ballot given to you by: Tick the boxes, which correspond to the names of the six (6) athletes you wish to elect. Marking less or more than six marks will make the ballot null and void. Make NO other marks. 4. In case of using a ballot form, place your voting ballot in the ballot box provided. Please note that athletes who require assistance may select an assistant of their choice to complete the ballot form. Announcement of the results The elected candidates shall be officially announced after the vote count on 8 September 2012. The names of the six (6) elected candidates will be announced to the media and published on the IPC website (www.paralympic.org). Need any help? If you have any questions or need any help, please ask for assistance at the Voting Centres or from your Chef de Mission. IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 5
THE IPC ELECTION TASK FORCE What is the IPC Election Task Force (ETF)? The ETF members for the 2012 IPC Athletes Council Elections are: Todd Nicholson (Chairperson) Tanja Kari Rutger Sturkenboom Lloyd Upsdell The role of the ETF is: To promote the elections and oversee the daily operations of the elections To manage the vote count To promote the IPC Athletes Council and answer any questions related to its work 6 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
THE IPC ELECTORAL COMISSION What is the IPC Electoral Commission? An Electoral Commission is an ad-hoc commission exclusively established to monitor a specific election campaign for the elections of the IPC Governing Board or for the elections to the IPC Athletes Council. The members of the IPC Electoral Commission for the 2012 IPC Athletes Council elections are: Alan Dickson (Chairperson IPC Legal and Ethics Committee) Linda Mastandrea (Member IPC Legal and Ethics Committee) Carla Qualthrough (Member IPC Legal and Ethics Committee) The role of the Electoral Commission is: To check and officially approve the candidates campaign material To ensure that candidates abide by the election campaign rules, decide whether an infringement of the rules has occurred, and subsequently impose appropriate sanctions. To advise and respond to questions raised by the candidates and/or nominating body in relation to their rights and obligations. To oversee the vote count To ensure the reporting and official recording of the results Please find the IPC Athletes Council candidates on the following pages. Note: The content appears precisely as we receive it; any variations in the information you find in the nominations reflect the extend of detail that each nominee choose to submit. It is the responsibility of the nominee to provide accurate and complete information. IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 7
ARNAUD ASSOUMANI Sport: Athletics Country: France Gender: Male Sport Class: F/T 46 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes I actively would like to participate and help the IPC by bringing them, the athletes voices in the aim to improve, the next IPC and NPC championships for instance. I would like to attend a disabled sport vision as I try to do in my own career, by showing to the society the richness and the powerful of disabled athletes. I would like to develop disabled sport and accompany disabled sport professionalization. Since Athens, I follow international media coverage of disabled sport and I would like to develop international live TV broadcasting, because sports lives and shares in Live. I want to give back, what sports bring to me. I am a dynamic person. I want to qualify to London Paralympic and Olympic Games. I have been participating to IAAF and IPC competitions since many years. I think I have a unique and large vision from sport in general, able and disabled. I see no difference and I want to share those almost 10 years expertise at high level because I learnt a lot. I am also working on changing the society vision on disability, by bringing handicap in a positive and creative way. I was French team captain at the last world championship. Today I have the chance to have sponsors and partnership which allows me to be a real professional athlete and also brings me a high sense of responsibility and an understanding of company and media stakes. I don t like to make a difference between the two terms «able bodied and disabled» even if I have to. I would like to attend to athletes more sponsors for them to train as a high level «abled» sportsman. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes My vision for the role of Athletes Council is to be a proposal and dynamic force. We, athletes have the possibility to be the world athlete s spokesman. So our goal is to represent them into the IPC and improve it. Paralympic Games: 2008: Gold Medal Long jump 2004: Bronze Medal Long Jump World Championships: World record holder in Long Jump 2011: Gold Medal in Long Jump 8 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
SADEGH BIGDELI Sport: Sitting Volleyball Country: I.R. Iran Gender: Male Sport Class: MD Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes The main reason behind my candidacy is that I am interested in exchanging ideas with other members of the association in order to gain satisfaction of the players and teams and to enable them to play more important roles in the decision makings. I also wish to help promote not only sports for the disabled, but also to pave the way for development of cultural aspects of the sports and to strengthen friendship among athletes, in spite of current global issues. I have been involved in sports managements for more than four years and my education is in the same field. I am a member of sports for the disabled associations, mostly involved in entertainment and cultural aspects of the sports and I have done my best to develop sports for the disabled. Paralympic Games: Gold Medalist in 2004, 2008 World Championships: Silver in 2006 Gold in USA 2010 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 9
JOHN CAVANAGH Sport: Para-Archery Country: Great Britain Gender: Male Sport Class: ARW1 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes To give the athletes a voice on relevant issues, use 20 years experience to support other athletes. Over 20 years experience of paralympic sport. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes Support the IPC in backing athletes and ensure we continue to put the athletes first. Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London 8 in total - all attended from 1998 to Turino 2011 10 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
HEINZ FREI Sport: Para-Cycling Country: Switzerland Gender: Male Sport Class: H2 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes I have been a member of the Athletes Council since 2008 and I would like to continue the work we have started in the committee in the last four years. In my age and after having had so many wonderful successes in my long career I can treat the different topics of our council in a more objective and neutral way. There are no personal interests which lead my actions. Since 1984 I have participated in 8 Summer Paralympics Games and 6 Winter Games and I would like to offer to the movement and its athletes and coaches my huge experience and my insights which I have gained in different sports over more than 30 years. I have won a total of 14 Paralympic Gold Medals (11 Athletics, 2 Hand bike, 1 Nordic skiing) in all these years! I am working for Wheelchair Sport Switzerland and within this association I am responsible for our talents (youth) in all sports. I was and I still am active in the three sports athletics, Para-cycling (hand bike) and Nordic skiing. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes Among others, one of my biggest concerns is that the IPC cares for and has an interest in all Paralympic sports and its problems and difficulties. The sorrows and requests of every Paralympic Athlete should be heard of the IPC and I would like to be the organ for my peers to guarantee a fair, attractive and diverse Paralympic sport! Paralympic Games: 8 Summer + 6 Winter Games 11xGold in Athletics; 2xGold in Hand Cycling; 1 in Cross Country Skiing IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 11
GIZEM GIRISMEN Sport: Para-Archery Country: Turkey Gender: Female Sport Class: ARW2 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes I believe that my successful sporting career, educational background and skills can contribute to promote Paralympic movement, increase athlete involvement and develop athlete representation models. As Nelson Mandela once said Sport has the power to change the world, I would like to use such powerful force for good, for promotion of the Paralympic movement and for developing sport opportunities for those less fortunate. I would like to contribute to effective network of communication between athletes and awareness raising activities of Paralympic movement with my experiences and opinions. I passed from all stages from beginner to elite level therefore I have great experience about needs and desires of beginner and elite level athletes. I would like to contribute to develop sport opportunities for all athletes. After Athletes Leadership Summit in 2010, I become more active within Turkish NPC and athlete s council has been established. I am good at communicating with people. I gave several talks and made presentations about disability, Paralympic sports. I would like to turn my experience gained through years I spent in various activities into effective contribution to IPC. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes I would like to be inspirational for those who wish to succeed, develop sport opportunities for all athletes and create a communication network aiming to share experiences, challenges, as well as potential solutions between athletes all around the world. I think that organizing educational activities such as Athletes Leadership Summit is very helpful to provide necessary tools for all athletes to ensure athlete s involvement and to promote Paralympic movement. I want to contribute to the organization of such educational activities, networking and make a difference for Paralympic athletes. Paralympic Games: 2008 Beijing Paralympic Gold medallist in the ARW2 Recurve Category World Championships: Gold medallist -2009 Para-archery World Championships+ Bronze medallist- Recurve female team 12 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
JIRI JEZEK Sport: Para-Cycling Country: Czech Republic Gender: Male Sport Class: C4 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes I would like to use my long-time experience as a top-level athlete to be a strong representative of all disabled athletes. I would like to focus on personal rights of the athletes, classification issues, strong fair-play policy, development of the training methods, closer cooperation with Olympic movement and professionalism of the entourage. Long-time experience as a top-level athlete, public speaking skills, and sport-governing organizations experience (member of UCI athletes commission, member of Advisory Panel of Ministry of Sport, Czech Republic). What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes I wish it to become a well-known and respected element of the Paralympic Family that will be renowned for its professionalism and knowledge and objectiveness, promoting Paralympic sports, fair play and openness. Paralympic Games: Sydney-2 gold, 1 silver, Athens 2004-1 gold, 1 silver, Beijing 2008-2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze World Championships: World record holder in 4 km pursuit on the track. World Champion: 2002, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 13
LU XIAOLEI Sport: Para-Table Tennis Country: P.R. China Gender: Male Sport Class: TT10 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes As a three times Paralympic Games participant(including the coming London Paralympic Games) as well as a table tennis player since 12 years old, I would like to serve other Paralympic athletes with my experience, from an athlete s perspective of view, to guarantee or better their welfare and interest; Being a Chinese athletes, I believe that the supporting NPC China and Chinese coaches and athletes will help me better accomplish the job, the this resource will also benefit the athletes from other countries. Besides a table tennis champion, I am also a post graduate of sports education and training. Employed as a teacher in Shandong University of Political Science and Laws. I always encourage my students with my own story, advertise Paralympic movement, and now many of them became fan of Paralympic sports; I am also a lecturer, telling stories of the Paralympic athletes to school children, civil servants and those one who doesn t know or familiar about people with disabilities. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes Up till now I am more a do-er than a decision maker. If selected of honour, I will keep on learning and explore new fields with the spirit of sports, trying my best to serve more Paralympic athletes, to strive for what they need and to work for their benefit and interest. Paralympic Games: 2008 Beijing: Gold Men s teams 2004 Athens: Gold Men s teams, Silver Men s singles World Championships: 2010 WC Gwangju 1 Gold 1Silver 2006 WC Montreux 1 Gold 1 Bronze 2002 WC Taipei 1 Gold 1 Bronze 14 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
JON MCCULLOUGH Sport: Football 7-a-side Country: USA Gender: Male Sport Class: C8 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes My interest in this position stems from my passion for the Paralympic movement on a global scale as I hope to be a part of the voice that influences the future of the movement for the next 4 years. I would like to do all I can to promote athletes into leadership roles, the continued growth in establishing practical classification policy, expansion of classification education programs to underserved nations, finding tools to market athletes for sponsorship, and solidifying cooperation while exploring the idea of inclusion of sports within the IOC along with individual sport federations. 2010 Int l Paralympic Leadership Summit-GER/8 years leadership-usoc Athletes Council, Vice Chair/ USA athlete leadership role 2002 Paralympics,2005 World Univ. Games,2006 Olympics, 2008 Olympics, 2010 Paralympic Games and 2011 Para Pan American Games/US Soccer:3rd term on Board of Directors and 2nd as chairman of Athlete Council/US Coast Guard Disabled Veteran/Dual Degree in International Environmental Health-American University, Wash. DC/Studied in Kenya/Certificate in International Conflict Resolution/Presently Deputy Director with ManUp Campaign-stop violence against women worldwide What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes The Athlete Council is the voice of all athletes in the Paralympic movement. It is the role of the council to represent athletes from all nations in their pursuit to have fair competition, classification and access to be part of the movement. It is the responsibility for those who sit on the council to hear from all sports, classifications and nations on the issues that affect them. It is the council s role to serve as a voice in developing a relationship with the IOC, and each sports Paralympic Int l Sports Governing Body as well as each sport s governing body for able bodied athletes. Paralympic Games: 4th place finish in 1996 Atlanta Games; 8th place finish in 2004 Athens Games World Championships: 1998 Named to World All-Star Team; 6th 2001 Team Fair Play Award; 6th 2003 Team Fair Play Award; 10th 2007 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 15
TERESA PERALES Sport: Swimming Country: Spain Gender: Female Sport Class: S5/SM5/SB4 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes Many things are changing in the Paralympic movement. Some of them are very good, as the major participation of the athletes in the IPC committees or summits, or the increasing good relationship between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. But some of them are not good, as the reduction of events in the calendar for the Games that have affected to a lot of our colleagues. I believe that is more important than ever to have the opportunity to strongly defend our interests as athletes. I love sport and I would like to work for not only as a swimmer, but an IPC AC member. I am competing since 1998 and I have been an IPC AC member for the last 4 years. I have social skills and I like to get involved in as many things as possible. I think that my best skill is my experience and my passion for what I do. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes The role of the IPC AC is to act as consultant to the IPC as well as convey the suggestions or demands of the athletes. The IPC AC has to be the voice of all Paralympic athletes. Paralympic Games: 5 medals in Sydney 2000 6 medals in Athens 2004 5 medals and 2 WR in Beijing 2008 World Championships: 11 medals in Christchurch 1998, Argentine 2002 and South Africa 2006 16 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
TIMOTHY PRENDERGAST Sport: Athletics Country: New Zealand Gender: Male Sport Class: T13 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes I am currently a co-opted member of the IPC AC and feel passionately about Athlete representation, and believe the IPC AC is a brilliant example of athletes representation and voice. I have been an Athlete Representative with the NZ NPC since 2003. I bring a unique perspective being vision impaired and also from a South Pacific nation. I am actively involved in the Athlete Role Model work - something I would love to see advanced in the Paralympic realm. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes I think it is vital for the AC to be a mouthpiece for all sports and encompass a range of disabilities and skill sets. I see the AC growing from strength to strength and continuing to play a consulting role in issues affecting Paralympic athletes and the advancement of our sports. Paralympic Games: Gold 800m - Athens Silver 800m Sydney Silver 1500m Sydney NZ Team Captain Beijing World Championships: Silver 800m Assen Silver 1500m Assen Gold 800m Lille Silver 1500 m Lille IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 17
ELVIRA STINISSEN Sport: Sitting Volleyball Country: The Netherlands Gender: Female Sport Class: D Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes I am committed to making the collective voice of the athletes heard. I believe that it not only empowers the athletes but it also improves decision making that affects the athletes. The AC should always strive for increasing the quality of Paralympic sports and allow for the best possible performances. Moreover I wish to contribute to more awareness among the general public about the amazing achievements people with a disability demonstrate every day. Both as an athlete and in my work I already do so. As a member of the AC I would, however, be even better equipped for this. During my Bachelor and Master I learned about the theories of organizational and public structures, policy issues and building bridges and partnerships between various parties. As captain of the Dutch Sitting Volleyball team, representative of the AC of the Dutch NPC and as consultant of a sport service organization I know what is required to put important values and strategies to practice. And I am an experienced practitioner myself. I facilitate discussions at local and national level and give demonstrations and presentations about sports in combination with health and social awareness. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes Firstly I think it is the task of the Athletes Council to make sure that in every country the Paralympic athletes are well represented. Secondly the Athletes Council has the opportunity and the duty to share the many great stories there are to tell about achievements of Paralympic athletes with the world. In my opinion, unknown means unloved. Through sharing people all over the world will be (more) receptive to embrace IPC s mission. Thirdly, the Athletes Council should always strive for improvement and innovation. To create the perfect environment for best performances of all athletes! Paralympic Games: 2008 Beijing: BRONZE World Championships: 2002 Slovenia: GOLD; 2006 Netherlands: GOLD; 2010 USA: 4th place 18 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
ALEXANDROS HELMUT TAXILDARIS Sport: Swimming Country: Greece Gender: Male Sport Class: S1 Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes After participating in 2 Paralympic Games in 2004 and 2008 and my upcoming participation in London this year, as well as in worldwide and European events, I believe that I have the experience to stand up for the rights of these athletes, especially those with severe disabilities. Several years of participating in Paralympic Games as an athlete with a high tetraplegic disability. Doctor in training in the field of rehabilitation after spinal cord injuries. Elected Vice-mayor in the city I live in (Komotini, Greece). Responsible for the areas of Sport, Culture and Young adults. President of the NGO Perpato, foundation with wide ranged activities in the area of accessibility and rights of people with kinetic disabilities. I also speak three languages. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes To make the Paralympic Games and the international competitions a role-model for all worldwide events for disabled athletes as well as able athletes. To support the equal rights of disabled athletes and first and foremost to set role models. Furthermore, to help spread the Paralympic movement to the far corners of our planet, in particular to countries not so developed and send a message of motivation to their disabled persons to see life as a challenge and opportunity instead of the difficulties. Paralympic Games: Athens 2004: 2nd place 50m backstroke S1 class; 4th place 100m freestyle S1 class; 5th place 50m freestyle S1 class Beijing 2008: 4th place 50m backstroke S1 class World Championships: Mar del Plata, Argentina 2002: 3rd place 50m backstroke S1 class; 4th place 50m freestyle S1 class; 4th place 100m freestyle S1 class Durban, South Africa 2006: 3rd place 50m backstroke S1 class; 3rd place 50m freestyle S1 class; 4th place 100m freestyle S1class Eindhoven, Holland 2010: 4th place 100m freestyle S1 class; 5th place 50m freestyle S1 class IPC Athletes Council Election Guide 19
YU CHUI YEE Sport: Wheelchair Fencing Country: Hong Kong, China Gender: Female Sport Class: A Why do you wish to run for the IPC Athletes Athlete council member is a very valuable experience, as we will act as the collective voice of all athletes within the Paralympic movement. The athlete council bordered my view to experience the Paralympic movement. I am an active Paralympic athlete. Therefore, I am so familiarize with the up-to-date information of sports. I also understand the need of athletes, especially, the high support need athletes. The working experience in the athlete council will definitely facilitate me for the upcoming athlete council duty. My knowledge and experience will help the council to increase its effect. I am an active athlete so that I understand athletes physical and psychological feeling. I am now working as presenter for the Radio for a sport program, communication is my talent. I have got my master degree in sport in 2010. I am now the current member of the athlete council; I also worked with a charity provides rehabilitation for earthquake patients, so that I am experienced working with people with disability. I believe that, with my good communication skills, the working experience with the charity, and the experience in the AC. I can give comprehensive suggestion within the AC. What is your vision for the role of the IPC Athletes I am a representative for all Paralympic athletes; I work as a channel between athletes and the IPC. I believe that every athlete, no matter they are the champions, the participants, all of us are having the same vision: making the Paralympic movement better and stronger. I want to normalize the ways Paralympian are seen. Thus, we can enable our athletes to achieve sport excellence and inspire the world. I would like to encourage more athletes around the world at all levels, elite, national and regional, ensure the Paralympic movement to move to a brighter future. Paralympic Games: 2008 1 gold, 1 silver (Ind. Foil, Ind. Epee) 2004 4 gold (Ind Foil, Ind Epee; Team Epee, Team Foil) World Championships: 2011 Catania 3 gold 1 bronze, 2010 Paris 4 gold, 2006 Torino 3 gold 1 bronze, 2002 Budapest 1 gold 20 IPC Athletes Council Election Guide
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