IPC launches new leadership programme for retiring Paralympians

As part of efforts to have a new generation of Paralympians better equipped to serve as changemakers within the Paralympic Movement and beyond, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has opened applications for up to 20 Paralympians to participate in the Para Athlete Professionals training course.

Through the IPC’s Sport for Mobility Programme which aims to develop athletes, create athlete leaders and increase sports participation, Para Athlete Professionals is a new four-year initiative designed to equip a cohort of up to 20 soon-to-be retired Paralympians each year with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become influential leaders, innovators, and advocates within the Paralympic Movement and beyond.

Following a competitive selection process, the IPC will support Paralympians in the Class of 2025/2026 with a blend of in-person and online training sessions which will expand their skills to become active agents of change and contributing members of the Paralympic Movement and the societies they live in.

Between 2025 and 2028, four cohorts – consisting of up to 20 Paralympians each year - will be supported, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, gender balance, regional diversity, and representation across different disabilities.

The course is built around six core learning objectives:

- Leadership and self-awareness

- Career readiness

- Digital, financial, and business literacy

- Public speaking and advocacy

- Industry awareness and networking

- Legacy building and long-term impact

Mike Peters, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer and two-time Paralympian said: “Retiring from elite sport is a significant transition, where one moves from an important finish line to a wholly new starting line. While it is often difficult, this transition represents a powerful new beginning and opportunity for Paralympians to move from competitors on the field of play to competitors in their respective professional field, as members of a new generation of leaders within our Movement and beyond.

“Through Para Athlete Professionals, we are equipping retiring Paralympians with tools to lead, influence, and innovate in new arenas. Whether it is in areas of sport administration, advocacy, or community leadership, their voices and perspectives are essential to shaping a more inclusive world. This initiative is not just about career development, it is about realising our collective future and ensuring that the Paralympic Movement will continue to be powered by those who know it best.”

Applications are open until 31 August 2025, with the first cohort set to begin courses by the end of the year.

For more information, please refer to the Para Athlete Professionals Guidelines 2025. To apply, please visit the Para Athlete Professional Training Course Application Form