Canadian para

IPC CEO Dr Mike Peters: A select group of 20 Paralympians gathered from November 10 to 14, 2025 at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Campus in Bonn, Germany, to take part in a leadership training programme designed to support their transition from elite sport to life beyond competition, opening a new path from the stadiums to the corporate office.

The leadership training programme, IPC Para Athlete Professionals, aims to equip retiring athletes with the tools, knowledge, and platforms they need to be confident, capable leaders. By drawing on their lived experiences and unique perspectives, the training programme aims to prepare athletes to contribute to the Paralympic Movement and beyond. Offered annually from 2025 to 2028 under the IPC’s Sport for Mobility programme, the training programme will be delivered through a blend of in-person and online learning.

For the 2025 cycle, over 80 applications were received, out of which 20 Paralympians were selected from 18 countries, including 13 women, from across Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Additionally, the cohort includes elite athletes from 13 different sports, reflecting the diversity of the Paralympic Movement. The six-month programme is expected to conclude in May 2026, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) informed in a release on Wednesday.