From June 24 to 26, Bonn hosted the fourth International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes’ Forum, bringing together 75 leaders from the global sports community representing 51 countries. Among the attendees was Hovhannes Khzmalyan, Secretary General of the Armenian Wheelchair Basketball Federation and a graduate of the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU).

The event united athlete representatives from National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, regional organisations, as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the LA28 Organising Committee. Over three days, the participants discussed key priorities for advancing the Paralympic Movement, including strengthening athletes’ rights and enhancing the operations of National Committees.

The latter topic aligned with research conducted by Hovhannes Khzmalyan during his studies at RIOU. His work, supervised by Dmitry Lisitsyn, an expert at the Platforma Centre for Social Design, examined governance models for Paralympic organisations in small nations.

The Forum served as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration, fostering the development of inclusive sport worldwide. The participation of the Armenian specialist highlights the significant contributions of RIOU graduates to the global Paralympic Movement.