IPC launches Athlete Internship Programme to support career transitions

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched its inaugural Athlete Internship Programme, with two Paralympians - Ireland’s Cassie Cava and Malta’s Maja Theuma - starting work in Bonn at the IPC’s headquarters on 7 July 2025.

Following an extensive recruitment process, Cava, a recently retired Para triathlete who competed at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, will join the IPC’s Games Operations team, while Para swimmer and Paris 2024 Paralympian, Theuma, will join the Brand, Content and Communications team.

With a donation from Japanese musician and artist Shingo Katori making them possible, the 12-month-long paid internships are designed to support Para athletes transitioning from sporting careers to professional careers, offering hands-on experience within the IPC’s core departments.

The programme was developed in response to feedback from the 2023 IPC Athletes’ Forum, where nearly 73 per cent of Para athletes expressed interest in similar internships.

Dr Mike Peters PLY, two-time Paralympian and IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome Cassie and Maja to their year-long internships with Team IPC at our Campus in Bonn and are grateful to Shingo Katori for making this long-term dream of ours possible.

“Supporting athletes on their journey as Paralympians and as leaders in the Paralympic Movement is central to the work of the IPC. We heard from Para athletes about their interest in the creation of this type of programme, and we are delighted to offer retiring Para athletes this support. Our intention is to advance their skill development and professional experience such that they are better prepared to transition into other professional roles.”

Prior to competing internationally in Para triathlon, Cava was a Para snowboarder. She has also served as an athlete representative in governance reviews.

Cassie Cava said: “I'm delighted to be given this opportunity to learn from everyone in the IPC who lead the way globally in making the world a more inclusive and accessible place through sport.

“Para sport has completely changed my life, and I'm really excited to gain experience and develop skills through this internship that will enable me to use my experiences to contribute to the Paralympic Movement and help make things even better for the next generation of Para athletes!”

Theuma is Chairperson of the Malta Paralympic Committee Athlete Council and is the athlete representative on the National Paralympic Committee’s executive committee. She has led initiatives in athlete welfare, branding, and digital engagement, and is currently conducting academic research at the University of Malta.

Maja Theuma said: “I'm incredibly excited to join the IPC’s Brand and Communications team as an athlete intern. As a Paralympian and a marketing graduate, I couldn’t say no to this opportunity. It ties perfectly both my passion for sport and my professional interests.

“Two years ago, I had the honour of being one of the speakers at the IPC Athletes’ Forum in South Korea, representing Malta on a panel discussing athlete representation and leadership pathways. I still remember the IPC’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer Craig Spence asking if I’d consider joining the IPC after I graduate. Fast forward to today, and I’ve just started my dream job. What a full circle moment.”

The IPC Athlete Internship Programme is made possible through a generous EUR 100,000 donation from Katori, who raised funds through the Shingo Katori NFT Art Charity Project. Katori, an IPC special ambassador for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and Para sport advocate, created a mural at the Nippon Foundation Para sports Support Centre (NPFSC). The art piece was later transformed into a limited-edition NFT series. Part of the proceeds raised from the sale of the NFTs were used to support the promotion of Para sports in Japan. The remaining EUR100,000 was donated to the IPC through the NFPSC for the internship programme.

Yasushi Yamawaki, Chairman at the Nippon Foundation Para Sports Support Center, added: “After the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Shingo Katori, from the thought of ‘the excitement of Tokyo 2020 should not end as a one-time event,’ developed the NFT Art Charity Project which 10,000 limited edition NFTs were sold out in a day.

“I am truly delighted that the donations from Katori, along with the support of 10,000 people for the charity, has paved the way for a new programme reflecting the voices of Para athletes and that IPC launched the internship programme to support Para athletes who will contribute to the future development of the Paralympic Movement.”

The recruitment process for the IPC Athlete Internship Programme was launched in January 2025. With six Paralympians and two Para athletes among its existing 140-strong team, the IPC continues to empower Para athletes to shape the future of the Paralympic Movement and the wider sports industry.