The Paralympic Movement is preparing for a new chapter of participation and representation. With eyes on the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially opened the nomination process for elections to the Athletes’ Council, a body that gives voice and vote to those who best understand the needs and aspirations of Paralympic sport: the athletes themselves.

In this edition, three winter sports representatives will take on a fundamental role within the IPC. The renewal comes at a decisive moment, as the mandate of the members elected at Beijing 2022 is coming to an end. The process not only aims to refresh leadership but also to reaffirm a commitment to inclusion, participatory governance, and the athletes’ ability to influence decisions that shape the movement’s future.

The value of a collective voice

The IPC Athletes’ Council is much more than an advisory body. Composed of active and retired athletes, along with a representative from the Athletes’ Commission of the IOC, the council serves as the collective voice of those who have made sport a tool for personal and social transformation. Chaired by Maltese Paralympic swimmer Vladyslava Kravchenko, the group advises the Governing Board and ensures that the athletes’ perspective is always present in strategic decisions. “I strongly encourage all winter Paralympic athletes interested in shaping the future of the Paralympic Movement to run,” said Kravchenko, highlighting the importance of this space for representation.

The council’s relevance lies in the fact that both its president and vice president are members of the Governing Board with voting rights, guaranteeing real influence in policy-making and guidance. Through this structure, the IPC reinforces the idea that Paralympic sport is not only about competition and spectacle but also a movement for rights, inclusion, and social progress where athletes play a leading and irreplaceable role.

The path to Milano Cortina 2026

The election will take place in an environment full of emotion, from March 4 to 13, 2026, during the Winter Games. All participating athletes will be able to vote at polling stations set up in the three Paralympic Villages, and the results will be announced on March 14. The official presentation of the new representatives will occur at a symbolic moment: the Closing Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026, celebrating not only the end of the Games but also the beginning of a new leadership cycle.

Nominations, open until October 31, 2025, must be submitted by National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, or International Organizations for Sport for Persons with Disabilities. Eligible athletes must have competed at Milano Cortina 2026 or in at least one of the two previous editions (PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022), and demonstrate strong commitment to the Paralympic Movement and willingness to actively participate in meetings and gatherings. With these elections, the IPC not only selects representatives but also renews the spirit of community, commitment, and hope that defines Paralympic sport.