Maltese Paralympian Maja Theuma PLY joins International Paralympic Committee’s inaugural Athlete Internship Programme

Malta Paralympic Committee (MPC) announced that Maltese Paralympian Maja Theuma PLY was awarded a prestigious athlete internship with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Photo credits: International Paralympic Committee

Maja Theuma will join the Brand, Content and Communications team of the IPC as part of its Athlete Internship Programme. The programme is designed to support Para athletes transitioning from sporting careers to professional careers, offering hands-on experience within the IPC’s core departments.

Dr Mike Peters PLY, two-time Paralympian and IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome Maja on her year-long internship with Team IPC at our Campus in Bonn. Supporting athletes on their journey as Paralympians and as leaders in the Paralympic Movement is central to the work of the IPC. We heard from Para athletes about their interest in the creation of this type of programme, and we are delighted to offer retiring Para athletes this support. Our intention is to advance their skill development and professional experience such that they are better prepared to transition into other professional roles.”

Maja Theuma represented Team Malta at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and serves as Chairperson of MPC’s Para Athletes’ Council and as Para Athlete Representative on MPC’s executive committee. Over the years, Maja Theuma has played a leading and central role in MPC’s educational, awareness and impact initiatives, whilst simultaneously pursuing her dual career as an athlete and student. Maja has represented club and country in Para swimming at local time trials, national meets and championships, World Para Swimming World Series, and major events such as the European and World Championships, establishing a number of national records in female’s Para swimming S6 class in the process. Maja also recently graduated with a Master of Science in Strategic Management and Digital Marketing from the University of Malta.

Speaking from the IPC Headquarters, Maja Theuma highlighted that she is “incredibly excited to join the IPC’s Brand and Communications team as an athlete intern. As a Paralympian and a marketing graduate, I couldn’t say no to this opportunity. It ties perfectly both my passion for sport and my professional interests. Two years ago, I had the honour of being one of the speakers at the IPC Athletes’ Forum in South Korea, representing Malta on a panel discussing athlete representation and leadership pathways. I still remember the IPC’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer Craig Spence asking if I’d consider joining the IPC after I graduate. Fast forward to today, and I’ve just started my dream job. What a full circle moment.”

Photo credits: Left - Kurt Farrugia Photography; Right - Malta Paralympi Committee

The International Paralympic Committee is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement and is based in Bonn, Germany. IPC’s vision is to create an inclusive world through Para Sport, driven by its strong belief that Change Starts with Sport.

Read more about the IPC’s Athlete Internship Programme on https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-launches-athlete-internship-programme.

This press release is also available in Maltese:

MALTI - Paralimpjana Maltija tingħaqad mal-ewwel Programm ta’ Intership għall-Atleti tal-K.

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Published on 20^th July 2025 at 12:30 CET.

Malta Paralympic Committee