As he preps for fourth Paralympic Games, Team USA Sled Hockey’s Declan Farmer also aims for a spot on the IPC Athletes’ Council
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by Bob Reinert (Red Line Editorial)
Farmer, a three-time gold medalist with Team USA, also serves in leadership roles for USA Hockey and the USOPC.
As Declan Farmer prepares to lead the U.S. sled hockey team to a potential fifth straight Paralympic gold medal this month in northern Italy, he also awaits word on a different, off-ice goal — securing a spot on the International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council.
Farmer is among five candidates seeking one of three positions available to winter sports athletes on the nine-member council. Athletes competing at the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 began voting for the council on March 4, two days before the Opening Ceremony, and the election continues through March 13.
The council, which also includes a chairperson and two vice chairs, serves as the athletes’ voice to the International Paralympic Community on matters such as the governing body’s strategic direction and how it can better support the athletes. Council members serve four-year terms.
No stranger to leadership and governance roles, Farmer has served as a representative with the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, as a member of the USA Hockey Congress and as athlete director with USA Hockey Board of Directors.
All the while, the 28-year-old from Tampa is the face of the dynastic U.S. sled hockey team and one of Team USA’s highest-profile athletes in Milano Cortina.
As the United States prepares to host a pair of Paralympic Games in the next eight years, Farmer’s combination of leadership roles on and off the ice make him an ideal candidate for the IPC post, he said.
“With two Games coming up in the U.S., this is a great opportunity to have an American on the IPC Athletes’ Council to help keep communication channels between the IPC, USOPC, the OCOGs and the athletes as open and as effective as possible,” said Farmer, who already represented the U.S. at the fourth IPC Athletes’ Forum, which took place in June 2025 at its headquarters in Germany.
The U.S. will host Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles, followed by the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2034 in Salt Lake City.
Farmer, who is set to compete in his fourth Paralympics this month, has been a mainstay on Team USA since age 14. During that time he’s become the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points and the first U.S. sled hockey player to score more than 200 goals.
Along the way, Farmer won three Paralympic gold medals and graduated from Princeton University with a degree in economics and a minor in computer science.
He believes he could be the ideal candidate for the council at this important juncture.
“With Games in the United States coming up, I think that’s a huge opportunity to really highlight Paralympic sport, similar to what happened in the UK around London 2012, where they sold out every event,” Farmer said.
“Everyone knows about the Paralympics now in London and in western Europe. I think there’s an opportunity for that in the U.S. and some of these other markets if we keep growing. The media attention is the strongest it’s ever been, now it’s up to us to keep building awareness every year and never be satisfied with where it’s at.”
Farmer’s experience serving at the national level has imparted in him the importance of pushing back and asking questions when needed.
Farmer said the playing field still needs to be leveled between the Olympics and Paralympics, but also between the summer and winter editions of the Games. Shrinking those discrepancies would be a priority should he be elected to the council.
“The Paralympic Games have become the world’s third-largest sporting event, yet the Paralympic Winter Games still trail behind the Olympic Winter Games in both athlete participation and magnitude of media attention,” Farmer said. “I’m passionate about helping close that gap — to elevate winter sport and continue growing the Paralympic Movement worldwide. I believe my experience and advocacy background can help us take meaningful steps toward that goal.”
Farmer also wants to make sure the Paralympic Movement is accessible and inclusive.
“An inclusive Paralympic Movement starts with access — to information, opportunity and fair processes — no matter where an athlete comes from. I believe helping athletes understand their rights and responsibilities, especially those from developing nations, is essential to true inclusion. I care deeply about this Movement, and as I plan to continue competing through Utah 2034, I’ll remain a fellow athlete and advocate, standing alongside you every step of the way.”
If he’s elected to the council, Farmer said he would continue to be a positive advocate for the Paralympic Movement.
“We may not reach every goal overnight,” said Farmer, “but I will work tirelessly to help us move closer — together.”
Bob Reinert spent 17 years writing sports for The Boston Globe. He also served as a sports information director at Saint Anselm College and Phillips Exeter Academy. He is a contributor to USOPC.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.