IPC Launches Para Athlete Professionals Course to Support Retiring Paralympians

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched a new global initiative to support retiring Paralympians in their transition from elite sport to meaningful, purpose-driven careers. The Para Athlete Professionals course, part of the IPC’s Sport for Mobility (SfM) project, will equip selected athletes with the skills, confidence, and tools to become leaders, advocates, and changemakers within the Paralympic Movement and beyond.

Each year, up to 20 recently retired Paralympians will be selected through a competitive process to participate in this intensive, multi-phase training experience. The program includes:

• A five-day immersive session hosted at the IPC Campus in Bonn, Germany
• Ten bi-monthly virtual training modules led by global experts
• A final in-person project presentation week back in Bonn

The course is designed to provide practical learning, career development, and personal growth opportunities to support Paralympians as they transition from sport to new professional pathways.

“It’s amazing to see the International Paralympic Committee investing in athletes’ futures like this with the Para Athlete Professionals course and offering world-class support to Paralympians from around the globe,” said Jeremy Hall PLY, Tokyo 2020 Paralympian and Chair of the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Athletes’ Council.

“If you’re a Canadian Paralympian who’s recently retired from international competition, I can’t recommend applying for the Para Athlete Professionals course enough. This is an incredible chance to grow your skills, explore new pathways, and stay connected to the Paralympic Movement that shaped your journey.”

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is proud to support this initiative, encouraging eligible athletes to apply and take advantage of the opportunity.

“The Para Athlete Professionals course offers a meaningful and highly impactful way to support retired Paralympians as they move into the next stage of their journey,” said Catherine Gosselin-Després, Chief Sport Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“Paralympians, not only in Canada but around the globe, have so much to offer beyond sport, and this program will give them the platform, mentorship, and confidence to lead across a wide range of sectors while staying connected to the Paralympic Movement they helped build.”

Applications for the 2025–2026 cohort are now open. Interested athletes can find more information and apply through the IPC website or directly via the application form.

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