The 44-year-old, who was paralysed in a car accident as a teenager, is a five-time Paralympian and was part of the Canadian ice sledge hockey team that won a gold medal at Turin 2006 and silver medals at both Nagano 1998 and Lillehammer 1994.

Nicholson was first elected to the IPC Athletes' Council at Vancouver 2010 and has been vice-chair since 2011.

The ice sledge hockey player takes over as chair from American six-time Paralympian Bob Balk, who had held the role February 2009.

"It's a great honour and privilege to be elected chair and to continue Bob's great work," said Nicholson.

"The Paralympic Movement is growing in strength all the time and I doubt a few years ago athletes would dare to imagine that they would be competing in front of packed stadia and in some cases 80,000 people.

"Now it's a reality and one we need to be prepared for both mentally and physically.

"As the Movement grows it is even more important that athletes have a voice within the IPC and as chair I will continue to ensure this happens whilst offering as much assistance as possible."


As the new chair Nicholson will be a member of the IPC Governing Board with voting rights while he will also be put forward by the IPC to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission.

Outgoing chair Balk has backed his successor in the role.

"I took the role as a tremendous responsibility and am really proud of the athletes I have worked with," said Balk.

"In the last four years we've accomplished a great deal - the first Paralympic Reunion event in London, the first Athlete Leadership Summit, the launch of the International Paralympians Association and having athlete representation on all IPC standing committees.

"I really enjoyed my time as chairperson and wish Todd the very best of luck in taking over the role."

The IPC Athletes' Council is the collective voice of Paralympic athletes within the Paralympic Movement and its role is to provide feedback and advice as well as to report to the IPC Governing Board on behalf of the athletes.

The Council is made up of nine athletes - six from summer sports and three from winter sports.

The six summer sport members are sitting volleyball player Elvira Stinnissen of the Netherlands, track athlete Arnaud Assoumani of France, archer Gizem Girismen of Turkey, American seven-a-side foobtaller Jon McCullough, Spanish swimmer Teresa Perales and wheelchair fencer Yu Chui Yee of Hong Kong.

The three winter sport Council members are Nicholson, Polish Nordic skier Katarzyna Ragowiec and Norwegian ice sledge hockey player Eskil Hagen.

"I would like to congratulate Todd on becoming the chair of the IPC Athletes' Council," said IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez.

"I look forward to working with him and welcoming him to his first IPC Governing Board meeting in June in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"Todd takes over at a time when the Paralympic Movement is going through a rich growth spurt, which makes it all the more important that the athletes voice is heard loud and clear within the IPC.

"I would also like to thank the outgoing chair Bob Balk as well.

"Bob has been with the Council for over eight years and I would like to pay credit to his hard work and great service during this period."

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