IPC Launches New Leadership Programme For Retiring Paralympians

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The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched the Para Athlete Professionals training course, inviting up to 20 retiring Paralympians to join its first cohort. Applications are open until 31 August 2025, with the programme starting later this year.

Part of the IPC’s Sport for Mobility initiative, this four-year programme aims to empower Paralympians to become influential leaders, innovators, and advocates within and beyond the Paralympic Movement. Each year until 2028, a cohort of up to 20 athletes will receive in-person and online training, with a focus on inclusion, gender balance, regional diversity, and representation across different disabilities.

The course is built around six key areas:

  • 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, IPC Chief Executive Officer and a two-time Paralympian, described retirement from elite sport as a profound shift — a move from a hard-earned finish line to a brand-new starting point. He acknowledged that while the transition can be challenging, it also offers a powerful opportunity for Paralympians to evolve from athletes on the field to influential leaders in their professional lives, contributing to the next generation of the Paralympic 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.”

Over the programme’s duration, participants will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a lasting impact in sport administration, advocacy, and community leadership.

Application deadline: 31 August 2025
Programme start: End of 2025

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