The 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships kicked off in thrilling fashion at the Le Carreley sports complex in Bessans, setting the stage for intense competition and remarkable athleticism. Cross-country skiing individual classic took center stage on Day 1, with athletes showcasing their skill, endurance, and determination in pursuit of championship glory.

In the II1 category, competitors skiing under the neutral banner delivered commanding performances across both the men’s and women’s races, sweeping the podium in multiple events.

Volegov Ivan stormed to victory with an impressive time of 29:06.98, securing the gold medal with an outstanding display of speed and stamina. His compatriot, Sorokin Aleksandr, followed closely behind, clocking 29:55.45 to claim silver. The host nation’s pride, Dubois Titouan, fought hard to secure bronze, finishing at 30:09.94 and ensuring France made its mark on the podium.

Guber Irina put on a dominant performance in the women’s race, crossing the finish line with an exceptional time of 17:00.96 to take home the gold. Her teammate, Kashevarova Alina, followed in 20:11.27, securing silver. The battle for bronze was intense, with Sweden’s Bjoerfeldt Kristin clinching the third spot at 20:12.94, just fractions of a second behind.

In the Men’s II2 category, France’s Colomby Clement delivered a powerhouse performance, outpacing the competition with a winning time of 21:50.60. Italian skiers Kostenr Tobia Maria (28:29.85) and Oltolina Mattia (32:13.28) took silver and bronze, respectively, completing an all-European podium.

The Men’s II3 event saw another triumph for the host nation, as Clement Richard, the sole competitor in the category, crossed the finish line at 30:23.83, proudly adding another gold to France’s tally.

“I am very happy with my race results. I compared my results to the II1 Men’s, and I would be standing fourth in that category, which is amazing for me,” Clement told Virtus.

With an exhilarating start to the 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships, the competition promises more high-energy races and inspiring moments. As athletes continue to push their limits, all eyes remain on Bessans for what is set to be an unforgettable championship.

For full results, visit the competition website.

The 2025 Virtus Athletics World Championships are set to take place in Brisbane, Australia, from 8–15 October 2025, marking a milestone event for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment. This international competition will bring together top athletes from around the world, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talent, determination and excellence on a global stage. The event will attract veteran athletes, Paralympians and foster the development of emerging athletes who may have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in the youth competition. Virtus member in Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia will be organising the event.

Brisbane, the vibrant capital of Queensland, is the perfect host city for the Championships. Known for its warm climate, stunning riverfront, and welcoming atmosphere, Brisbane offers a unique mix of modern infrastructure and natural beauty, with lush parks and bustling cultural precincts. As a hub for major sporting events, outdoor adventures, and arts festivals, Brisbane provides an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable sporting experience. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, the city continues to grow as a global leader while maintaining its relaxed and friendly charm.

Sport Inclusion Australia has extensive experience in hosting multiple Virtus events since 2004, showcasing their ability to deliver world-class competitions, including the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane, featuring multiple sporting organisations and international federations, followed by the 2022 inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games. In 2024 and 2025, they continue their legacy with the Virtus Cycling World Series, reinforcing their commitment to excellence in inclusive sports. This wealth of experience ensures that the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships will be delivered with the highest level of professionalism and excellence.

Helen Croxford, President of Sport Inclusion Australia, said the team are delighted to be hosting the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championship in Brisbane.

“Twenty years ago, we hosted the 2005 World Athletics Championships in the city of Canberra and the legacy of developing sport and sport pathways for athletes with an intellectual impairment has continued to grow stronger with every event. Brisbane will be familiar to many athletes following the successful Global Games in 2019 and Oceania Asia Games in 2022, and we look forward to welcoming new and returning athletes to Brisbane, which is also the host city of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We hope that a full athletics program for track, field and youth events across all three eligibility groups will attract athletes from all Virtus member nations, and for the Oceania region, we hope to introduce Virtus events to our Pacific Island nations through this event,” Croxford said.

Sport Inclusion Australia has placed an athlete-first approach, excellence and community engagement at the heart of the event planning. Their vision is to deliver a uniquely memorable and exciting celebration of sport and culture that focuses on ability while also fostering growth in developing countries. The event will inspire achievement, promote harmony and create a sense of unity in alignment with the Virtus movement’s mission.

The 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships will leave a profound and lasting legacy. It will provide athletes with a world-class platform to showcase their talents, inspire young people with disabilities to pursue their sporting dreams and educate communities on the importance of inclusion.

Virtus calls on all its member nations to get their athletics teams ready for competition at the highest level.

For more information about the event, visit the event calendar page and keep following Virtus on socials.

Virtus, the international sports federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment, proudly announces the formation of the Virtus International Basketball Federation (VIBF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting basketball for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

With a strong focus on inclusion, VIBF will provide structured competition opportunities, ensuring both men and women can compete at the highest level. As the popularity of 3×3 basketball continues to rise globally, VIBF aims to drive participation, create pathways for elite competition, and foster a dynamic, inclusive basketball community.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Virtus International Basketball Federation (VIBF), marking a major step in expanding basketball for athletes with an intellectual impairment. This launch strengthens our position in the para sport landscape and furthers our commitment to growing the sport worldwide,” said Marc Truffaut, President of Virtus.

Sharing the excitement with the VIBF’s formation, Virtus Basketball Sport Director, Tony Guihot said,

“For too long, basketball players with intellectual impairment have fought for recognition, their talents overshadowed and their dreams put on hold.  The creation of the Virtus International Basketball Federation is not just a response to that struggle, it is a bold statement that their passion, skill, and dedication deserve to shine bright on the global stage.  This is more than just an organisation;  it is a movement, a beacon of hope.  The future of basketball for players with intellectual impairment is now brighter, fairer, and more inspiring than ever.”

This new federation will spearhead the growth and development of basketball for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Direct management and responsibility for Virtus basketball will, over the coming weeks, pass from Virtus to the VIBF.

Key Objectives of VIBF:

• Champion the inclusion and recognition of athletes with an intellectual impairment in global basketball competitions.
• Provide men and women with equal opportunities to compete and showcase their talents.
• Expand the reach of 3×3 basketball, fostering a fast-paced, exciting, and widely accessible version of the sport.
• Create a dynamic and inclusive global basketball community that drives positive change and inspires athletes worldwide.

The first official VIBF competition is set for 2025 VIBF is proud to announce its inaugural 3×3 basketball competition, which will take place during the 2025 Virtus World Basketball Championships in Kazakhstan this June. This landmark event will bring together athletes, teams, and supporters from around the world to celebrate the spirit of competition, inclusion, and sportsmanship.

Virtus invites basketball federations, teams, and athletes to join VIBF and be part of this groundbreaking movement.

More details about the VIBF will follow in the coming weeks.

Virtus is excited to announce that the very first World Para-Dressage Championship is coming to Winchester, Great Britain, later this year. Building on the success of its debut at the Global Games in 2023 and the open regional championship, this landmark event is set to raise the bar for para-dressage excellence. The event will commence from July 23rd until July 25th at Sparsholt College Equestrian Centre, Winchester, UK.

The championship, hosted by Virtus in collaboration with Sparsholt College Equestrian Centre, will feature II1, II2, and II3 competition categories. With a reputation as one of the UK’s top equestrian venues, Sparsholt College offers Olympic-standard indoor and outdoor arenas and stabling for up to 66 horses, ensuring a world-class experience for both athletes and spectators.

Supporting this groundbreaking event, Uta Rindfleisch, Virtus Sports Director, encourages riders with an intellectual impairment to compete at this event.

“The Virtus Equestrian Committee is committed to expanding live competition opportunities leading up to the Global Games 2027 in Cairo, Egypt. Alongside our established video competitions, we had our first Open Regional Games last year which was a grand success. These events demonstrate our dedication to developing para-dressage on a global scale. We are delighted to partner with Sparsholt College for the second consecutive time as the host venue.

For more details, visit the Virtus events page and download the official entry pack here.

Join us as we celebrate the incredible talent within the para-dressage community and mark a historic moment in Virtus equestrian sport!

The AO25 Intellectual Disability Championships took center stage at Melbourne Park, Australia, from January 24 to January 26, 2025. Held alongside the prestigious Australian Open, this tournament showcased the skills and determination of athletes with intellectual impairments, bringing together sixteen elite players from across the globe for an unforgettable competition.

This year marked the third annual Intellectual Disability Championships and Deaf Championships, organized in partnership with Virtus, the International Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual impairments. The event continues to champion inclusivity and excellence in sports, providing a platform for these extraordinary athletes to shine.

The competition delivered breathtaking performances and unforgettable matches in both the men’s and women’s singles events.

Women’s Singles and Doubles

In the women’s singles final, Anna McBride (GBR) proved her dominance with a resounding victory over Eva Blanc (FRA), winning the gold medal in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. McBride’s relentless energy and strategic gameplay left her opponent with little room to manoeuvre, cementing her place as the champion.

The bronze medal match saw an all-Australian showdown as Andriana Petrakis triumphed over her compatriot Breana Tunny in a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory. Petrakis showcased remarkable consistency and composure, delivering a stellar performance in front of her home crowd.

The women’s doubles tournament delivered thrilling moments and standout teamwork. The dynamic duo of Eva Blanc (FRA) and Hanne Lavreysen (BEL) showcased their unbeatable synergy, winning all three matches to claim the doubles title.

Meanwhile, Anna McBride (GBR) and Kelly Wren (AUS) secured the second spot after winning two of their three matches, demonstrating great camaraderie on the court. The Australian pair of Andriana Petrakis and Breana Tunny rounded out the podium with third place after putting up a spirited effort in their matches.

Men’s Singles and Doubles

In the men’s singles final, Virtus World rank no. 1 and Australia’s defending champion Archie Graham lived up to the expectations and retained his title with a commanding performance. He defeated Fabrice Higgins (GBR) in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, displaying his trademark power and precision to secure another championship win.

The bronze medal match was equally thrilling, as Benjamin Coulier (FRA) defeated Aidan Moody (GBR) with an impressive 6-4, 6-0 victory. Coulier’s consistent baseline game and tactical brilliance earned him a well-deserved spot on the podium.

In the men’s doubles, the formidable pairing of Archie Graham (AUS) and Fabrice Higgins (GBR) proved unstoppable, clinching the doubles title by winning all three matches. Their blend of precision and power was unmatched throughout the tournament.

The British duo of Oliver Beadle and Aidan Moody finished in second place, securing two wins out of three matches with their strong teamwork and resilience. The pairing of Benjamin Coulier (FRA) and Damian Philips (AUS) claimed the third spot, showcasing competitive spirit and skill.

The AO25 Intellectual Disability Championships continue to redefine what is possible in the world of sports. Athletes like Anna McBride, Archie Graham, and their fellow competitors remind us of the incredible potential of perseverance and passion.

Sport Inclusion Australia and Tennis Australia deserve commendation for their unwavering commitment to creating inclusive opportunities and celebrating the achievements of these exceptional athletes. As the championships conclude, the stories of triumph and sportsmanship will resonate far beyond Melbourne Park, inspiring millions around the world.