IPC development programmes have a global impact

The International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) development programmes in 2024 were present in 133 countries, benefited nearly 37,000 people, and contributed towards a record number of athletes and National Paralympic Committees competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Specifically targeting IPC member organisations but also benefiting athletes, coaches and technical officials, the IPC’s development programmes focus on three core pillars: athletes, leaders and participation.

Thanks to IPC development programmes in 2024, 7,430 Para athletes were supported on the athlete pathway through talent identification, competition opportunities, and access to mentors, coaches and classifiers.

With the success of Para athletes reliant on the dedication and leadership of coaches, technical officials, and other changemakers within the Paralympic Movement, the IPC implements a range of programmes through National Paralympic Committees and International Federations who nurture this talent. In 2024, courtesy of IPC support, 5,400 people were trained as Para sport leaders dedicated to laying the groundwork for Para sport development and developing pathways for Para athletes to thrive. 

Keen to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to engage in Para sport in whatever way they wish, whether recreationally or competitively, the IPC also supported initiatives which introduced 20,000 people to Para sport, many for the first time.

Kristina Molloy, the IPC’s Chief Membership and Impact Officer, said: “At the IPC we strongly believe that Para sport is a vehicle to a more inclusive world and in 2024 our development programmes benefitted nearly 37,000 people across 133 countries.

“For the last 10 years, the IPC has invested record sums each year into our member development programmes in an effort to increase and diversify the talent pool across the Paralympic Movement. The results have been tremendous and we are certain that we can achieve even greater results in the future.

“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games highlighted the growth of representation in our Movement, which has been a focus of our development programmes. The Games attracted a record number of athletes and National Paralympic Committees, many of whom benefited from IPC support in the lead-up to the Games.

“While not everyone will become a Paralympian, every person with a disability should have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of sport and being active. Through our Sport for Mobility programme which is launching in 2025, the IPC is significantly increasing its support for sport development initiatives between now and the LA28 Paralympic Games, benefitting all our 200+ members."

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games highlights growth

Many of the IPC’s development programmes implemented in recent years focused on expanding access to Para sport and diversifying the talent pool ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with a strong focus on increasing female representation.

Of the 4,400 Para athletes that competed at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, 155 benefitted from direct IPC support ahead of the Games, including 13 athletes that won medals.

A record 168 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), as well as the Refugee Paralympic Team, competed at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, surpassing the previous record of 164 originally set at London 2012 and equalled at Tokyo 2020.  Thirty-five NPCs boasted a record number of female athletes.

Ahead of the Games, the IPC provided support to 91 NPCs that competed at the Games, including Eritrea, Kiribati and Kosovo, the three nations who made their Paralympic debut in the French capital.
In total, 84 NPCs won medals, including Mauritius and Nepal who medalled for the first time and benefited from IPC membership programme support.