Over 70 athlete leaders from more than 50 countries gathered in Bonn and Duisburg, Germany, from June 24 to 26, for the IPC Athletes&rsquo; Forum 2025, aiming to strengthen athlete representation, leadership, and well-being in the Paralympic Movement.
Organised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Forum featured opening remarks from IPC President Andrew Parsons and Athletes&rsquo; Council Chair Vladyslava Kravchenko, followed by sessions on IPC governance and athlete-focused policy development.
A highlight of the Forum was the inauguration of the IPC&rsquo;s new headquarters in Bonn, attended by dignitaries, para-athletes, and officials.
Day two focused on athlete education, with workshops on classification, anti-doping responsibilities, and an interactive session led by TikTok, offering insights on using digital media to amplify para-athlete voices.
The final day addressed athlete well-being, inclusion, and representation, with open discussions and feedback sessions. The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games leadership joined to hear directly from athletes about their expectations for a transformative Games experience.
Through its Solidarity Programme, the IPC enabled 21 athlete representatives from underrepresented regions to participate, ensuring diverse and inclusive dialogue.
Para-athletes from regions like Puerto Rico, Africa, and Latin America described the experience as eye-opening and transformative, aiming to channel new insights into positive change back home.
&ldquo;Sport unites people and builds confidence,&rdquo; said IPC President Parsons. &ldquo;Athlete input is central to everything we do.&rdquo;
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

IPC Athletes’ Forum 2025 Ends, Focus on Growth and Well-being

Athletes from 50+ countries unite in Germany to shape the future of Paralympic sport and leadership

IPC Athletes’ Forum 2025 Ends, Focus on Growth and Well-being

Athletes from 50+ countries unite in Germany to shape the future of Paralympic sport and leadership

June 27, 2025 | 23:25 IST