Call for Expressions of Interest: Governance of Para athletics and Para swimming

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and World Para Sports are seeking partners interested in taking over the governance of the sports of Para athletics, Para swimming, or both. 

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is open to cities, national governments, sport organisations and other entities willing to assist with the transfer of governance and establishment of independent bodies for Para athletics and Para swimming. 

The process of transfer of governance of Para athletics and Para swimming was initiated in 2021 with a first phase of EOIs followed by a period of exclusive negotiations with the City of Manchester and UK Sport. While discussions with the UK partners remain ongoing, negotiations are no longer exclusive and other interested organisations are encouraged to submit their proposals. 

Para athletics is the largest Paralympic sport in terms of both participation and medal events. It has been part of the Games since the first edition of the Games in Rome in 1960. At last year’s Paralympic Games in Paris, one in every four athletes competed in Para athletics.

Para swimming has been a core part of the Paralympic competition programme since the inaugural edition in Rome. It is the second-largest sport at the Games, accounting for over 25 per cent of the medal events and 13 per cent of the athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Para athletics and Para swimming are part of the World Para Sports, the group of international Para sports under the governance of the IPC, currently based in Bonn, Germany at the IPC Headquarters.  

Interested parties must submit their EOI by no later than 27 June by email to WorldParaSports@paralympic.org.