Para archers contribute to shaping Paralympic future at IPC Athletes’ Forum
Para archers Yiğit Caner Aydın of Türkiye, Juan Diego Blas of Guatemala and Dorothea Poimenidou of Greece were among more than 70 athlete representatives who attended the fourth edition of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes’ Forum, held in June 2025.
The event took place from 24 to 26 June in Bonn and Duisburg, Germany, and coincided with the official inauguration of the new IPC Campus, the organisation’s headquarters in Bonn. IPC president Andrew Parsons and chief executive officer Mike Peters were among those in attendance for the opening.
The forum brought together athlete leaders from more than 50 countries, representing National Paralympic Committees, international federations, regional organisations, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled. Over three days, participants engaged in workshops and discussions focused on key topics shaping the future of the Paralympic Movement.
Four-time world champion Aydın said the experience deepened his appreciation for the shared values and challenges among athletes around the world.
“It was a truly valuable experience for me,” said the W1 archer, a double medallist at the 2022 European Para Archery Championships. “It gave me the opportunity to connect with athlete representatives from around the world, learn from their perspectives and contribute to important discussions.”
“I was proud to represent archery and to be part of a collective effort to shape the future of the Paralympic Movement.”
Currently preparing for the 2025 World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju in September, Aydın said he hopes to continue being a “strong voice for para archers” and demonstrate the importance of athlete representation through his success.
Blas, president of the athletes commission of the Americas Paralympic Committee, also expressed his gratitude to the continental federation for the opportunity to attend.
“It was an honour to be part of the forum,” said Blas, who made history as the first Guatemalan archer to compete at the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024. “It was important for us as athlete representatives to share our opinions on the Paralympic Games, the new IPC classification code and the importance of athlete representation in every country.”
“It was a long-time dream to go to Bonn and meet the IPC team headquarters. I’ve returned home motivated to work with the athlete representatives in America – strengthen our voices and improve the Paralympic Movement in our region.”
Greek para archer Poimenidou, a three-time Paralympian, shared similar sentiments of pride and honour.
“I’m deeply moved to have represented the athletes of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee at the forum,” said the 30-year-old recurve archer. “It was tremendous opportunity to interact with fellow athletes, share ideas and broaden my horizons. Thank you for the honour.”
The IPC Athletes’ Forum was first held in 2017 in Duisburg. It was followed by editions in 2019 at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee training centre in Colorado Springs and in 2023 at the national training centre in Icheon, Korea.
