Bonn, Germany, April 24, 2025 — In a landmark development for global shooting sport, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have formally signed an agreement to transfer the governance and operational control of shooting Para sport from the IPC to the ISSF. The deal, announced in Bonn, Germany, marks the first official step toward unifying Olympic and Paralympic shooting under a single international authority.

What the Agreement Covers

Currently, shooting Para sport is managed by World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS), a dedicated department within the IPC. Under the newly signed agreement, full governance, management, and administration of the sport will be transferred to the ISSF — but only after ratification by ISSF Member Federations at the ISSF General Assembly, scheduled for late 2026.

Subject to ratification, the ISSF is expected to formally assume responsibility from early 2027. The agreement represents a broader institutional shift within the Paralympic Movement, where the IPC has been progressively handing over para-sport governance to respective international federations — World Athletics for para-athletics, FINA for para-swimming, and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for para-badminton.

Key Objectives of the Transfer

The agreement is built on three core pillars. First, it seeks to establish the ISSF as the single global authority for all shooting sport, ensuring unified governance and harmonised competition standards. Second, it promotes a One Family Stronger Together philosophy, creating shared development pathways and greater visibility for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Third, the deal aims to reinforce the ISSF's standing with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IPC, and the broader international sports ecosystem — positioning the federation as a more powerful and inclusive body on the world stage.

Leaders Speak: Rossi and Parsons Welcome the Move

ISSF President Luciano Rossi called the agreement a critical milestone: The ISSF firmly believes that bringing Olympic and Paralympic shooting sport under the same governance represents an important step for the unity and future of our sport. Our objective is to strengthen shooting sport globally, ensuring equal visibility, shared development pathways, and consistent standards while fully respecting the identity and specific needs of Para athletes.

IPC President Andrew Parsons echoed the optimism: We believe this transfer creates strong opportunities for the continued growth of shooting Para sport, allowing the sport to benefit from closer alignment with its Olympic counterpart while maintaining the high standards expected within the Paralympic Movement.

Road to LA28 Remains Unaffected

To ensure stability for athletes and stakeholders, the ISSF has proposed a two-year integration period spanning 2027 to 2028. During this phase, changes to the competition calendar, event structures, and qualification systems — particularly those affecting the LA 2028 Paralympic Games — will be kept to a minimum.

This phased approach is designed to protect athletes, National Member Federations, event organisers, and other stakeholders from disruption during the transition. The Paralympic Games themselves will continue to be governed by the IPC, regardless of this transfer.

Structured Consultation Process Underway

To facilitate a smooth handover, the ISSF has established a dedicated ISSF Para Working Group, comprising representatives from the ISSF Executive Committee, the ISSF Secretary General, the ISSF legal team, WSPS staff, and National Member Federations with prior Para integration experience.

Between now and the 2026 ISSF General Assembly, the Working Group will facilitate consultations with athletes, coaches, officials, and event organisers. Their inputs will directly shape the future governance structure of shooting Para sport within the ISSF framework, guided by the federation's stated principles of democracy, transparency, integrity, and inclusivity.

This transfer is part of a sweeping global restructuring of Paralympic sport governance — a model that, if successful, could set a precedent for how other niche para-sports are integrated into their parent federations in the years ahead. With the 2026 General Assembly as the next critical milestone, all eyes will be on whether ISSF Member Federations vote to ratify this historic agreement.