Virtus Sport, the International Sport Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment, has announced its media team for the upcoming Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 including two former Paralympians.
Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE in her Team GB Kit before Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Jessica receiving her MBE title after London 2012 and posing with her Tokyo 2020 medals. Photo Credit: Jessica-Jane Applegate
Virtus Ambassador and Double Paralympic Champion, Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE, a vocal advocate for athletes with intellectual impairments, will be reporting on swimming. Jessica’s accomplishments include two gold, two silver & three bronze medals from the Paralympic Games along with over 40 international medals to date.
“Years ago, the Paralympic Games were just for people with physical disabilities, and I think that’s why people still struggle to understand a disability that they can’t see or which is invisible in nature. Together with Virtus, I am here to raise awareness of intellectual impairment and make this invisible impairment visible to people,” said Jessica.
“It will be a very different experience for me to be at the games not as an athlete but as part of Virtus’ media team. I am looking forward to working towards a greater cause and making this world more inclusive for people with intellectual impairments,” she added.
Lenine Cunha posing with Portugues flag and all his international medals. Photo Credit: Lenine Cunha
Joining Jessica-Jane is Virtus Ambassador Lenine Cunha, one of the most decorated athletes in Virtus history with more than 200 international medals. Lenine is also a candidate for the IPC Athletes’ Council Elections at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“As someone who has spent his entire life with this invisible impairment, I understand the challenges and discrimination faced by athletes like me. I want to continue advocating for their needs on a global scale, using Paris 2024 to promote Virtus’ campaign #MakingInvisibleVISIBLE,” Lenine said.
Jessica and Lenine will also take over Virtus’ social media to share their insights on various topics affecting athletes with intellectual impairments.
Mousumi Maumdar at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and at 2023 Virtus Global Games with Virtus Governing Board members and Paris 2024 mascots- Phryges. Photo Credit: Mousumi and Wahlen
The team will be led by Virtus Marketing and Communication Officer Mousumi Mazumdar. Mousumi has been with Virtus since 2018, starting as an intern and rising to her current position in 2022. She is the youngest member in the Virtus management team, the first Indian person to work directly with an IPC-recognized IOSD, and brings experience from her work at various international events such as the Virtus Global Games in Brisbane 2019 and Vichy 2023, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, three Virtus regional games, and multiple World Championships.
Reflecting on her journey, she added,
“I was always drawn toward para-sport from a very young age, but I never thought I would reach this height when I was watching London 2012 as a young bachelor student twelve years ago. With the ongoing pandemic during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, I had a very different and unique experience with no spectators and a lot of COVID-19 restrictions. I am super excited to work with my small team this time at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and be the storyteller once again for athletes with intellectual impairment and make this invisible impairment VISIBLE”
Taiana Lopez at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and Santiago 2023. Photo Credit: Taiana Lopez
Taiana Lopes, from Brazil, will complete the team. A journalist and swimming specialist, Taiana started in the Paralympics Movement in 2009 as an athlete. She has worked at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee’s Communication team. She was also part of Brazil’s media team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Last year, Taiana founded Inclusive Communication, her consultancy company for athletes and sports professionals.
“I am so thankful to Virtus for providing me with this amazing opportunity. Athletes with intellectual impairment enjoy fewer media coverage than other impairment group athletes, and we will try our best to fill that gap,” said Taiana.
What is Intellectual Impairment?
Intellectual impairment encompasses a wide range of cognitive impairments, including intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism. These impairments impact how athletes understand sports rules, interact with others, and adjust to different environments. Athletes with intellectual impairments may struggle with reaction times, memory, focus, and impulse control.
As the Virtus media team prepares to cover the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, their efforts will undoubtedly highlight the incredible achievements of athletes with intellectual impairments, promoting inclusivity and raising awareness on a global stage.
Events for athletes with intellectual impairment
Athletes with intellectual impairment will compete across three sports in eleven events at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games:
Athletics – T20/F20 class
- T20 400m
- T20 1500m
- F20 Long Jump
- F20 Shot Put
Swimming- S14 class
- S14 100m Butterfly
- S14 100m Backstroke
- SB14 100m Breaststroke
- S14 200m Freestyle
- SM14 200m Individual Medley (IM)
- 4x100m Mixed Freestyle relay
Table Tennis
- Singles
The full schedule can be accessed from here.
