BRAD SNYDER, PLY
IPC Governing Board Member At-Large Candidate
Brad Snyder, PLY
It is my great honor to stand for election as the USOPC/NPC USA’s candidate.
Candidature for IPC Governing Board Member At-Large
For the past 14 years, I have proudly been part of the Paralympic family—competing on the world’s biggest stage while advocating for and leading those around me to advance our shared mission.
While serving in the military, my life changed in an instant when an explosion took my eyesight. In the aftermath, I stood at a crossroads familiar to many wounded veterans: to retreat into the shadows of loss or fight toward renewal. I chose to fight—not only to recover, but to reimagine who I could become. I found not just rehabilitation, but purpose, identity, and joy through sport.
It was the Paralympic Movement that offered me that path.
I'm a proud three-time Paralympian and eight-time medalist in Para swimming and paratriathlon. I was appointed to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee board of directors and began serving as an Athletes’ Commission representative in January 2019.
I believe I bring a unique combination of lived experience, institutional leadership, and ethical conviction to the IPC Governing Board. I hope the below shows you why I know it would be a privilege to serve you and the broader membership.
Learn more about my background, experience and focus areas through my campaign manifesto.
If elected to the IPC Governing Board, I will dedicate myself to unlocking human potential and accelerating the Paralympic Movement worldwide. I am committed to these ideals regardless, but by casting your vote for me, you will amplify my ability to serve—and to help our Movement grow stronger, more just, and more inspiring than ever before. Together, let us ensure that the Games do not merely reflect excellence—but ignite it—in every nation, on every podium, and in every human heart!
I am committed to working collaboratively and productively with the IPC Governing Board to advance the Paralympic Movement across five key areas:
The credibility of Para sport depends on a classification system that is trusted, consistent, and transparent. I applaud the implementation of the 2025 IPC Classification Code and its accompanying International Standards. But rules alone are not enough—we must socialize the system, educate stakeholders and ensure that cases of intentional misrepresentation are addressed with integrity. Classification cannot be a mystery; it must be a foundation of fairness and pride. Trust in this system requires open, honest and continual dialogue between the IPC, NPCs, and sport federations. As a member of the Governing Board, I will listen first, then work tirelessly to improve the classification system, and earn trust.
Para sports’ global reach is one of our greatest strengths and responsibilities. IPC development programs have touched lives in over 130 countries, but vast disparities remain. I believe we can dramatically expand participation by strategically leveraging major commercial markets—particularly in the U.S in the lead up to the Los Angeles 2028 and Salt Lake 2034 Paralympic Games—and by deepening the partnership between the IPC and the IOC. A renegotiated agreement that reflects the full value of the Paralympic brand could unlock new levels of visibility, investment, and alignment. By maximizing commercial value and reinvesting in emerging NPCs, we can strengthen the entire global fabric of the Movement.
Good governance is not a luxury—it is the foundation of sustainable success. As a leader in U.S. sport reform, I helped integrate Para sport governance within National Federations, creating unified and accountable structures. I will bring this experience to the IPC to support reforms that promote transparency, institutional integrity, and athlete empowerment. Governance must evolve to meet our values: ethical leadership, equity, and accountability at every level.
Equity is not a box to be checked—it is an essential value at the moral core of our Movement. While we rightly celebrate progress such as increased gender parity in sport, structural barriers still limit full inclusion, especially for women with disabilities, athletes with intellectual disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented nations. I will champion the building of athlete pipelines that are inclusive by design, expanding access to coaching, leadership, and visibility across all segments of the disability community. Inclusion is not a destination. It is the measure of our progress.
The pursuit of gold must never come at the cost of human dignity. I am thrilled to see that across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement we are now redefining success to include holistic well-being—supporting athletes throughout their lifecycle with mental health resources, educational opportunities, and post-competition pathways. I will champion this vision with the IPC: a model of athlete excellence that honors the whole person and aligns with our mission to make the world a better place through sport. The flourishing of the athlete is the triumph of the world!
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