Any active athlete who either competed in the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games or intends to compete in this summer's event in the Canadian city can be considered, with National Paralympic Committees (NPC) across the Americas having until May 8 to nominate one candidate.

Strong qualities of leadership, accomplishment, knowledge and respect, both on and off the field of play, are encouraged, while the APC will particularly welcome candidates with "experience in and commitment to the advocacy of athlete related issues".

They will follow in the path of Terezinha Guilhermina, the Brazilian sprinter who won the 200 metres T11 titles at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012, and who was elected to the APC Executive Committee for a four year term in 2011.

Double Paralympic champion sprinter Terezinha Guilhermina of Brazil has served in the APC position since 2011 ©Getty Images



Elections will take place during this summer's Games, due to be held from August 7 to 15, with the recipient chosen to serve a four year term with the Executive Committee until the next Games, scheduled for Lima in 2019.

They will provide a viewpoint on a whole range of athlete-related issues covering the Paralympic Movement in the Americas, with increased athlete representation on sporting governing bodies a current aim across both the Olympic and Paralympic movements. 

A shortlist of candidates will be announced at least two months before the Opening Ceremony in Toronto on August 7.

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