The fourth edition of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes’ Assembly, focused on discussions about the future of the Paralympic movement, has concluded.
According to the Public Relations of the Federation and citing the National Paralympic Committee and the IPC website, the fourth IPC Athletes’ Assembly was held from June 24 to 26, 2025, in Bonn and Duisburg, Germany, with the participation of over 70 athlete representatives from more than 50 countries. The event, hosted by the IPC, provided a valuable platform for exchanging views on key and future-shaping topics of the Paralympic movement.
During this three-day assembly, athlete leaders from National Paralympic Committees, international federations, regional organizations, international sports organizations for persons with disabilities, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) were present.
Day One
The event opened with speeches by Vladyslava Kravchenko, Chair of the Athletes’ Council, and Andrew Parsons, IPC President. Sessions followed featuring Mike Peters, IPC Secretary, discussing governance, and Colin Wern, IPC Games Director, addressing planning and organization of the Games.
The day concluded with the inauguration ceremony of the new IPC headquarters building in Bonn, attended by federal, state, and city officials, Paralympic athletes, IPC board members, staff, and other distinguished guests.
Day Two
The main focus was on enhancing athlete knowledge and education. Key topics included the principles of classification and the new IPC athlete classification code for 2025. Discussions also covered anti-doping compliance and athlete responsibilities. A special workshop led by the TikTok team introduced athletes to best practices for optimizing their presence on social media, practical tools for growing their digital platforms, engaging with fans, and increasing visibility of para-sports.
Final Day
The last day was dedicated to a panel on athlete representation and welfare. Group sessions allowed representatives to share experiences and ideas to improve athletes’ roles and experiences in the Paralympic Games.
The IPC also presented its development and support programs during the event, including funding opportunities and initiatives aimed at empowering Paralympic athlete leadership.
source:
https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-athletes-forum-2025-strong-global-participation
