Ann Cody

Cody was born on May 14, 1963 in Binghamton, New York. While attending Groton High School, she became paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. At the University of Illinois Cody obtained a painting bachelor's degree and a Master of Science while playing wheelchair basketball.[1]

Cody started her Paralympic career representing the United States in wheelchair basketball at the 1984 Summer Paralympics. Cody later moved to athletics in her following Paralympic Games winning four silver medals at the 1988 Summer Paralympics. At her final Paralympic Games, Cody won a gold and a bronze at the 1992 Summer Paralympics while achieving a shared world record in the 4 × 100 m relay.[1] In 2013, she ran for vice president of the International Paralympic Committee. Despite being defeated by Andrew Parsons, Cody was selected onto IPC's board of directors.[2] Outside of the Paralympics, Cody appeared at the 1988 Summer Olympics in wheelchair racing.[3] She later won the 1989 Chicago Marathon[4] and 1990 Los Angeles Marathon in the women's wheelchair division.[5]

Alternatively, Cody has held positions in the business and governmental sectors. She was a director at BlazeSports America and assisted the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.[6] Currently, Cody works at the United States Department of State in Foreign Affairs.[7]

Cody was named athlete of the year by both USA Track & Field and Wheelchair Sports, USA in 1990.[1] In 2004, Cody was inducted into the Adaptive Sports USA Hall of Fame.[8] In 2009, Cody was awarded the Amazing Leader award by the U.S. Paralympics.[9] In 2012, she was named one of the winners of the George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Awards by the U.S. Olympic Foundation.[10] In 2017, Cody was awarded the Paralympic Order.[7]