REFUGEE ATHLETES · NOMINATION · QUALIFICATION SUPPORT
LA28 Refugee Paralympic Team hopefuls: nominations are open
The IPC is accepting expressions of interest from NPCs and, in selected cases, international federations for eligible refugee Para athletes with demonstrated potential to qualify for LA28.
Identify refugee Para athletes already competing internationally or producing results that indicate a credible LA28 qualification pathway.
Confirm valid refugee status in the athlete's current country of residence and possession of a recognized refugee travel document or passport.
Compile competition results dated 1 January 2024 or later and ask the relevant international federation to assess qualification potential.
Assign one authorized NPC or IF staff member to coordinate the submission, consent documents and any subsequent grant.
Submit early: applications are assessed on a rolling basis and an ordinary decision may take up to eight weeks.
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CONFIRMED · IPC EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Eligibility has three controlling tests
Verified statusUNHCR-verifiable refugee status
Valid documentTravel document or passport
LA28 potentialResults since 1 Jan 2024
A nominee must hold valid refugee status for the current country of residence, possess an internationally recognized Refugee Travel Document/Convention Travel Document or passport, compete in an eligible sport and demonstrate potential to qualify for LA28. The IPC will work with UNHCR on refugee-status verification and with the relevant international federation on performance verification.
This is not automatic selection for LA28.Acceptance into the Hopefuls initiative can unlock support toward qualification, but the athlete must still meet the applicable sport qualification rules and any Refugee Paralympic Team selection requirements.
The IPC information sheet lists Para canoe. Coordinators should use the official document rather than secondary summaries when confirming the eligible-sport scope.
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ROLLING PROCESS · DEADLINE 31 MARCH 2027
NPC-led nomination, verification and support
An NPC—or an IF in selected cases—submits one expression of interest per athlete.
The IPC coordinates UNHCR verification of refugee status.
The relevant IF reviews competitive results and LA28 qualification potential.
The IPC ordinarily communicates an outcome within eight weeks of submission.
Eligible athletes receive information on a funding mechanism available to NPCs and IFs for training and competition support.
Paris 2024 Refugee Paralympic Team athletes already supported through this mechanism do not need to submit through this expression-of-interest process.
SUBMISSION FILE
Prepare before opening the form
Authorized NPC/IF applicant detailsAthlete personal informationCoach informationCompetition partner details, if applicableResults dated 1 January 2024 or laterSigned athlete data-processing consentSigned coach consentSigned competition-partner consent, if applicableValid refugee-status evidenceRecognized travel document or passport
Why this matters operationally
The initiative can help an eligible refugee athlete overcome gaps in licensing, classification, coaching, training and international competition access. NPCs and IFs should treat the 31 March deadline as the end of a rolling process—not the recommended submission date—because qualification potential must be evidenced and verification takes time.
