The International Paralympic Committee is searching for a new chief executive after announcing that Mike Peters will step down after seven years.
The IPC said Peters will leave his post on September 30 and take up the position of IPC senior advisor working on special initiatives.
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IPC’s deputy chief executive Kristina Molloy will serve as interim chief executive from October 1 while the governing body searches for a permanent successor to Peters.
Peters said: “Serving as chief executive of the IPC has been an absolute privilege. In honor of the incredible achievements of our predecessors, we have worked diligently to build a high-performing, professional organization worthy of the mission, members and athletes we serve.
“With 30 years in the Paralympic Movement, as an athlete, a volunteer and a leader, I am confident that the IPC is well positioned to meet each opportunity and challenge it will face in the coming years. I am delighted to pass the baton to Kristina Molloy.
“Kristina is extraordinary, and she is exactly the right person to take the IPC forward.”
A two-time Paralympian, Peters competed for eight years as captain of the US men’s seven-a-side Paralympic soccer team before joining the IPC in 2015 as chief of staff.
He was then promoted to chief operating officer in 2018, before stepping up again to serve as chief executive in October 2019 after a successful spell as interim chief executive.
He succeeded long-standing chief executive Xavier Gonzalez, who held the position from 2004 to March 2019.
During his tenure, Peters oversaw a period of significant transformation of the IPC by strengthening the organization’s culture and expanding its team at its headquarters in Bonn.
He also led the organization through the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining staffing, programs, and operations, while delivering four successful Paralympic Games: Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026.
The latter two Games were among the most successful in Paralympic history, attracting record participation from National Paralympic Committees and athletes while delivering unprecedented global broadcast and digital audiences.
Following the adoption of a new IPC constitution in 2021, Peters led its implementation, including establishing the World Para Sport Unit and overseeing the transition of five sports out of the IPC's direct governance structure.
IPC president Andrew Parsons said: “On behalf of the IPC Governing Board, I would like to thank Mike for his exceptional tenure as chief executive and 11 years total serving the IPC.
“Under Mike’s leadership, the IPC has become a stronger, more professional, and impactful organization. His vision, commitment and integrity have helped position the IPC and the Paralympic Movement for continued success.”
The move comes a month after the IPC kicked off its media rights sales process for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games for all territories bar the US.
The IPC said the event will deliver around 1,400 hours of live coverage over the 14 days of competition, featuring all 23 sports, including para climbing, which will make its Paralympic debut.
The IPC is looking to build on the record 225 rights holders it secured for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and the more than 10,050 hours of coverage aired globally.
In total, the Games were broadcast in a record 126 countries by media rights holders on their linear free-to-air and pay-TV channels, as well as streaming, digital, social, and audio platforms.
Given the growing interest in the event, the governing body will also seek to increase the value of the rights from Paris 2024, which grew by nearly 30% compared to previous editions.
The number of live hours consumed by TV viewers grew by 83% compared to Tokyo 2020, securing a record cumulative audience of 349.8 million for the Opening Ceremony alone.
