Team Ukraine Writes Their Legend: A GG2023 Legacy Story

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The Virtus Global Games hold profound significance for many athletes. For some, they are an opportunity to proudly represent their country on a global stage whilst for others, they mark a lifetime achievement, symbolizing their dedication and talent in their respective sports in their pursuit of sporting excellence.

Despite facing challenging circumstances, Team Ukraine attended the 2023 Global Games with a team of 18 athletes, 14 in athletics and 4 in table tennis, finishing 14th overall in the medal table.

During their preparations, many athletes with intellectual impairments had to be evacuated to safer places by Virtus Ukraine, as they were residing in regions affected by the ongoing conflict. Despite the fear and uncertainties, the motivation from their coaches played a crucial role in helping them stay focused on their goals.

“They were all very scared because of what was happening when we rescued them. Sometimes they were crying in the middle of the night and during training too. The motivational talks of their coaches helped them a lot during that time I think,” Iryna Aleksieieva, Ukraine’s HOD, told Virtus Sport.

“We have some of the best para-athletes, paralympic champions. We stood strong. When I look back now at the Games, I think they did a wonderful job. In athletics, they won twelve golds, six silvers and five bronzes and came second overall.” She further added.

Among these champions, Maksym Koval stood out, breaking two Virtus World Records in the II1 men’s shot put and discus throw events.

Ukrainian para-athletes are admired as epitomes of resilience and strength, inspiring people both with and without disabilities. Their unwavering determination leaves a lasting impact on the global stage of para-athletics.

The GG2023 event showcased the power of sports to provide hope and unite athletes in the pursuit of excellence, despite the difficult circumstances they may face.

Fighting Forgetfulness: Bethany Firth’s Inspiring Journey in the Face of ’50 First Dates’-like Memory Issue

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Paralympic champion Bethany Firth OBE advocates for greater awareness of the “hidden disabilities” (intellectual impairments) and the challenges they bring, drawing parallels to the film “50 First Dates” due to her memory issue. The twenty-seven years old  S14 swimmer, Bethany faces difficulties in recalling some of her achievements in the pool due to her condition. In her interview with The Independent, Bethany talked about how intellectual impairment affects her day-to-day life.

“Some days I can remember stuff, some days I can’t,” said Bethany, likening her memory challenges to the film’s plot.

“It’s a bit like 50 First Dates – you don’t know what I am going to retain and what I’m not.”

Bethany acknowledges the difficulties it poses for her coach, Nelson Lindsay, who finds it challenging when she can’t recall previous drills.

“In everyday life, I struggle a bit with trust because I will see pictures of myself doing something and it is me but I can’t remember or I have no connection to that. There are just lots of little things that add up that people don’t notice because everyone just sees you as this normal person that can do everything,” she added, emphasizing the impact of intellectual impairment, which is invisible in nature on daily interactions.

Silver Medallist Bethany Firth GBR flaunting her Silver medal from S14 Women’s 200m Freestyle at Tokyo2020. Photo: OIS/Thomas Lovelock. Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC

The Paralympian, known for her stellar achievements in swimming, burst onto the scene at London 2012, securing gold in the 100m backstroke for Ireland. She continued her success, amassing multiple Paralympic golds and silvers across Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 after switching to represent Great Britain.

Despite facing injuries over the years, Bethany remains focused on personal bests rather than medals.

“I haven’t PB’d since 2016. I’ve always had an injury. Last year I broke my foot, the year before that I had shoulder injuries,” she shared, emphasizing her dedication to improving her performance.

Bethany Firth won two gold, one silver and one bronze at the Manchester 2023 recently and was extremely happy with her overall performance.

Bethany’s story serves as a powerful reminder that understanding and empathy are essential for those dealing with hidden disabilities. She calls for more awareness and acceptance, stating,

“Hidden disabilities are so common nowadays. It’s a bit like mental health – you can’t see what’s going on in someone’s life, and people are very good at hiding it.”

With the aim to raise awareness of intellectual impairments and autism, Virtus launched #AthleteFirst campaign in March this year. One of the primary objectives of this initiative is to bring visibility to the ‘invisible’ impairments and make them better known to the general public.

If you or someone you know has an intellectual impairment or autism and wishes to share the inspiring story, feel free to reach out to ‘enquiries@virtus.sport‘.

Bennett Swims Out With Two World Titles From Manchester 2023

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The thrilling journey of the 2023 Allianz Para Swimming World Championships came to a close in Manchester, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable moments. From triumphant World Champions defending their titles to welcoming new talents and witnessing new World Records, the past three days have been a whirlwind of action-packed races in the S14 class for athletes with intellectual impairment. Here are some final wraps from Manchester 2023:

Bennett takes two World Championship titles home

Canadian swimmer Nicholas Bennett reached the pinnacle of success at Manchester 2023 by clinching his second World Championship title. With a commanding lead of more than a body length, Bennett left his competition behind as he powered through the water and surged ahead of the pack. The 200m Individual Medley witnessed Bennett’s extraordinary performance, culminating in a triumphant gold medal win that placed him on top of the clouds of victory.

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“I gave it all in the pool and was trying to get the WR or get as close to it as possible,” Nicholas told Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Nicholas swam to victory winning his first World Championship title in the Men’s S14 200m freestyle with a time of 1:54.75. Coached by his sister Hayley Bennett, Nicholas gives credit for his improved timing to his sister’s coaching,

“She is incredibly hard on me but it’s from a place of love and also she wants the best for me. I trust her wholeheartedly and you can see the examples of her coaching, I just dropped a whole second of my best time. So it’s working amazingly.”

Sister coach played a giant role in Hayley in brother’s success and feel proud of him.

“He is doing super well. For him, this year has been all about going back to basic like technical stuff that maybe he hasn’t done too much in the last little bit but yeah, it’s been our primary focus,” says Hayley.

World Record for Australia

Australia emerged as the new champions of the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay in an exhilarating relay race, showcasing remarkable teamwork and determination. Benjamin Hance’s impressive backstroke leg set the pace, maintaining the lead as Jake Michell, Paige Leonhardt, and Madeleine McTernan continued to shine. The team set a new World Record time of 4:07.71, securing a significant victory over the host nation and Brazil, who secured second and third places respectively.

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Jessica-Jane Applegate, anchoring the British team and securing the Silver, shared her pride and emphasized the collective effort that contributed to the result. She mentioned, “It’s about how we come together as a team, and that time doesn’t reflect how good we are. I’m proud of everyone.”

Gold for Firth in 200m Individual Medley

Bethany Firth (GBR) showcased her unwavering determination, retaining her Women’s 200m Individual Medley title with a fantastic win over Japan’s Aira Kinoshita. Firth’s powerful backstroke leg, along with her compelling freestyle finish, earned her another well-deserved gold medal.

“This gold medal means so much, a lot of people don’t always see the work that goes on behind the scenes and I just want to thank all my support from back home, my coach, my family and my church,” Firth told British Swimming.

Reflecting on her victory, Firth expressed her gratitude and determination for future challenges, stating

“I really had to dig deep that last length and I think it makes the sport just so exciting when it’s like that but I’m just so happy I touched first. We’re working on a two-year program and this was a stepping stone on the journey so I’ve got a lot more to give come Paris next year.”

Yui-Lam wins first Gold for Hong Kong

An electrifying first 50m showcased Firth and Maskill turning within a mere tenth of a second of each other, occupying the first and second positions. Yui Lam Chan (HKG) was closely trailing, and as Maskill seemed to surge ahead in the second length, the swimmer from Hong Kong, China, responded to stay neck-and-neck. With a photo finish, Chan clinched victory by a mere two-hundredths of a second over Maskill.

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With a radiant smile and a heart full of happiness, Poppy Maskill added another world silver medal to her remarkable collection at the conclusion of Manchester 2023. Speaking with exuberance to British Swimming, Maskill expressed her elation and shared her awe as she looked up at the board and realized the magnitude of her achievement.

“I feel really really good – I’m so happy with that. When I looked up at the board I could just think ‘oh wow’. Being around the team has been good, they’ve all given me little bits of advice to help me and it’ll be nice to celebrate with them tonight.”

Firth, who added another medal to her impressive tally, highlighted the exhilaration of competing in a “fun” event that turned out to be a delightful victory. Her performance underscores the enduring spirit of competition and the boundless possibilities that await, proving that age is no barrier to achieving greatness.

Gabriel Bandeira defends his Championship title

Gabriel Bandeira, a true powerhouse in the pool, claimed his first gold medal of the championship in the event he holds closest to his heart – the exhilarating 100m Butterfly. Demonstrating his exceptional prowess, Bandeira’s masterful butterfly strokes and a decisive turn propelled him to a commanding lead in the second 50 meters of the race.

With sheer determination and unmatched technique, Bandeira maintained his lead, showcasing his unwavering focus and unparalleled skill until he touched the wall in a triumphant finish

Hillhouse and Hance trailed closely behind Bandeira, earning their well-deserved spot on the podium.

Full championship results can be accessed from Manchester 2023 website. 

Carneiro sisters shared the World Championship Podium For The First Time

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Emotions soared as the identical twins made history, standing side by side on the podium for the very first time. In the Women’s 100m Breaststroke, Debora glided towards her first World Championship title by just 0.61 seconds ahead of her twin sister, Beatriz.

“This is my first World Championships gold and to share the podium with my sister is a big emotion. We focused on this time of 1:15, we wrote it down in our notebooks and we got it,” Debora told WPS.

Despite competing in the same event for quite some time, this was the first time they shared the podium together, making it an unforgettable and heartwarming moment for both athletes and spectators.

The twins made a name for themselves at the 2023 Virtus Global Games by winning five golds and one silver each, with Debora winning an extra silver.

Debora and Beatriz Carneiro flaunting their Medals from Manchester 2023 (on left) and 2023 Global Games (on right). Photo Credit: World Para Swimming and Debora Carneiro.

Japanese ace swimmer stays unbeatable in Men’s 100m Breaststroke. Naohide Yamaguchi (JPN) and Nicholas Bennett (CAN), long-time rivals, battled fiercely in the pool, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. The reigning champion, Yamaguchi, delivered a stunning performance, outswimming Bennett with an impressive Championships Record time of 1:03.71.

 Australian breaststroker Jake Michel finished third by clocking 1:04.62 for Bronze.

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Great Britain’s Mixed S14 4x100m Freestyle Relay quartet, comprising William Ellard, Jessica-Jane Applegate, Poppy Maskill, and Jordan Catchpole, emerged victorious, securing Great Britain’s first relay medal of the competition. William Ellard’s strong start gave the team an early advantage, and Jessica-Jane Applegate held their position well despite competition from Hong Kong. Poppy Maskill’s impressive performance reclaimed the lead, and Jordan Catchpole’s anchor leg sealed the win, ensuring Britain retained the title for the third consecutive world championship.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic to do this with the team, seeing Jordan close it out with an insane leg is incredible”, Applegate told British Swimming.

“I was a bit petrified about going out second as traditionally that’s been a male leg in our lineup, so I feel I got a bit excited, went out a bit quick and the last 50m was excruciating but we carried each other as a team which was great.”

Catchpole who scored his first medal from the relay added,

“I know what I’m capable of so I had confidence in myself diving in on that last leg that we’d get gold. I knew there’d be some strong anchor legs chasing me down but I knew we had it after the team put me in such a good position.”

As the competition enters its final stretch, the host nation is setting the pace in the S14 events medal tally. With an impressive lead, all eyes are on them to see if they can maintain their position in the remaining three days of fierce competition or face a challenge from other talented athletes.

Jessica-Jane reclaims her World Championship title after 10 years at Manchester 2023

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The Manchester 2023 Allianz Para Swimming World Championships is taking place at the Manchester Aquatics Centre from 31 July to 6 August 2023. It is the 11th edition of the World Para Swimming event and is being held in Great Britain for the third time.

Firth and Applegate dominated the race at the newly refurbished Manchester Aquatics Centre, exchanging the lead on the first and second turns as they approached the halfway mark. With the chasing pack close behind, they managed to maintain their lead down the third length, while Fiddes made her move, entering the fray with one turn left.

Despite strong challenges from their fellow Brits and other competitors, Applegate maintained her composure and touched the wall first, reclaiming her title after 10 long years. Firth and Fiddes secured the silver and bronze, respectively, marking a direct exchange of medals between last year’s event in Madeira. For Fiddes, it was her second bronze medal in as many years.

Applegate’s joy was evident as she celebrated her victory, and her words after the race further reflected her excitement and triumph. The opening day of the championship set the stage for a thrilling and competitive week of para-swimming in Manchester.

“I feel absolutely epic – it’s been such a tough season with back injuries and everything and so to come away with gold medal means everything,” Jessica told WPS.

“I have to admit, I didn’t have the greatest trials earlier this year so I felt lucky to be here, but I went away from those in March and absolutely crushed training – hand on heart I gave my training everything and I’m so glad that it’s paid off.”

“Confidence is not my forte but I was really pleased with my heats swim and thought if I can do that in the morning, I can go faster tonight. That last length was excruciating and I just had to push through the pain – I could see Bethany on that last 25m but I gave it everything and I couldn’t believe it when the cameras zoomed in on my face.”

British Women had another clean sweep of the podium in the 200m Backstroke. In a thrilling showdown, World Champion Bethany Firth faced tough competition from fellow swimmer Poppy Maskill, who made a strong surge towards the finish line. However, Firth’s determination prevailed, and she emerged victorious once again, retaining her title as the champion. Firth defended her title and set a new Championship record of 1:05.80 seconds. Georgia Sheffield grabbed the final spot.

The competition in the Men’s 200m Freestyle was extremely fierce as all three dominant swimmers charged towards the finish line together, treating spectators to an unforgettable spectacle. Canadian swimmer Nicholas Bennet (CAN) demonstrated his pro skills in the 200m Freestyle event, putting on an incredible display for the audience.

Nicholas claimed the gold medal with a remarkable time of 1:54.75, narrowly edging out Australian swimmer Jack Ireland (1:54.79) who finished just microseconds behind. British swimmer William Ellard (1:55.38) also put on a remarkable performance, earning the well-deserved bronze medal.

The podium finishers from Madeira 2022’s 200m Backstroke event had a rematch at the Manchester 2023 Championships, but this time in the 100m Backstroke. Benjamin Hance from Australia (AUS) displayed his dominance by breaking his own championship record with an impressive time of 57.26 seconds, maintaining his undefeated streak.

Gabriel Bandeira of Great Britain (BRA) and Alexander Hillhouse from Denmark (DEN) engaged in a fierce battle, pushing each other to the limit. Ultimately, Gabriel secured the second position with a time of 59.05 seconds, edging out Alexander for the third spot on the podium. The competition was intense, making for an exhilarating event at the Championships.

2023 Virtus Open European Half Marathon & 10K Road Race Championships are coming to Portugal

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Virtus, the International Sports Federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment, is thrilled to announce that the 2023 Virtus Open European Half Marathon & 10K Road Race Championships will be hosted in Lisbon-Portugal. The event will take place from December 1st to 4th and will be organized by Associação Nacional de Desporto para Desenvolvimento Intelectual (ANDDI-PORTUGAL), Virtus member organisation in Portugal.

ANDDI-Portugal has a rich history of hosting various Virtus events since the 1990s, spanning sports including athletics (indoor and track and field, cross-country, and half-marathon), basketball, cycling, handball, futsal, football, indoor rowing, and table tennis.

This upcoming championship will mark the eighth time ANDDI have hosted a Virtus half-marathon competition. Their experience includes successfully hosting events like Azores 2021 amid Covid-19 restrictions and Viseu 2022 last year, showcasing their expertise in organizing such prestigious sporting events.

 

“We are very proud to host again a great event for Virtus the 2023 Open European Half Marathon, this time in the Portuguese capital, the beautiful city of Lisbon. For the first time ever in Virtus Half Marathons, the program of the event includes also a 10k Road Race Championship which will give additional opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment including the II2 group”, says José Costa Pereira, Virtus Europe Technical Director and ANDDI-Portugal President.

The event will turn out to be truly an inclusive event for all as the event will be part of the “Lisbon Discoveries Half Marathon” with thousands of participants.

For more information, visit Virtus Sports calendar.

Peru to Host Inaugural 2026 Virtus Americas Regional Games

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Virtus, the International Sports Federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment, has announced that Peru will host the 2026 Virtus Americas Regional Games – the inaugural Games for the Region.

The event will be hosted by Federacion Deportiva Peruana De Personas Con Discapacidad Intellectual- FEDEPEDI, Virtus member organization in Peru and will take place between 2nd October 2026 and 11th October 2026, in Lima.

Peru’s stunning landscapes, from the Andes mountains to the Amazon jungle will provide the perfect backdrop for an exceptional sports event. The Games are predicted to foster camaraderie, cultural exchange, and the growth of sports in the region.

Manuel del Castillo, President of FEDEPEDI, is also the Vice President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee – COP.  expressed his excitement for the games.

“We are deeply grateful and honoured to have been chosen to host the VIRTUS American Games here in Peru. Our rich and diverse culture, steeped in history and tradition, provides a fitting setting for this prestigious event that celebrates inclusion and amplifies vital efforts focused on empowering people with intellectual disabilities”, said

“The Games will act as a catalyst to raise awareness and foster a collective effort to create an inclusive world for all. Through the unifying power of sport, we can show the immense potential of people with intellectual disabilities who with the right support can achieve remarkable goals and overcome challenges”, he further added.

FEDEPEDI will collaborate with the National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPPERU), the Peruvian Olympic Committee (COP), and the Peruvian Institute of Sports (IPD). This collaboration will have a significant impact, and ensure the successful organization and execution of the games.

The multi-sport event will offer competition across ten sports: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cycling, Futsal, Judo, Swimming, Taekwondo, Tennis and Table Tennis.

Virtus already holds Regional Games in Europe and jointly in Asia/Oceania in the year before Global Games. Marc Truffaut, Virtus President explained how important it was for the Americas region to be added,

“Virtus is developing a very comprehensive competition pathway for athletes with an intellectual impairment and Regional Games are a critical part of this. I am delighted that FEDEPEDI has come forward to host this inaugural event for our Americas members.”

With a rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, Peru awaits to welcome athletes and delegations from the Americas to exchange experiences and showcase their talents.

Details regarding the sports programme will follow soon.

Brazilians dominated T20 events medal tally at Paris 23

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The Paris 23 World Para Athletics Championship has been a platform for exhilarating performances in the T20 class events. From the closely contested Men’s 400m race to the outstanding displays in the Long Jump and 1500m races, the competition has been nothing short of remarkable.

T20 Men’s 400m

In the Men’s 400m, spectators were treated to a nail-biting finish, with the top five athletes finishing within microseconds of each other. Samuel Oliveira from Brazil stole the show with a dazzling finish, setting a new Championship Record with a time of 47.20 seconds. Daniel Tavares (BRA) and Philippe Yovanni (MRI) showcased their incredible skills, clocking times of 47.30 and 47.48 seconds, respectively.

“It’s great to be a champion. Very happy. First World Cup and already get the gold medal. It’s too good. I thank my coach and my family”, said Samuel Oliveira.

Three-time World Champion, Daniel Tavares expressed his happiness for sharing the podium with his fellow team-mate Samuel. Uncertain about being able to run again after getting Covid, Daniel was delighted to clock his season best at Paris 23.

T20 Men’s Long Jump

Latif Romly from Malaysia once again demonstrated his dominance in the T20 Men’s Long Jump event. With a remarkable leap of 7.40 meters, Romly set a new championship record, reaffirming his position as the Paralympic Champion and world record holder.

“I have qualified for my third Paralympics in Paris next year. It was unfortunate that I aggravated my groin after the second jump. But it was good enough for me to win gold”

Noah Vucsics from Canada followed closely with a jump of 7.35 meters, while Prodromou Athanasios from Greece secured the bronze medal with a season’s best jump of 7.12 meters.

T20 Men’s 1500m

In a remarkable World Championship debut, nineteen-year-old Ben Sandilands from Great Britain made a name for himself by defeating the World Record holder and Rio 2016 Champion, Michael Brannigan from the USA. Sandilands set a new Championship Record with an impressive time of 3:52.42 seconds, showcasing his immense talent and potential in the event. Brannigan, despite being beaten, clocked his season-best time of 3:53.50, demonstrating his remarkable abilities as well.

“It does feel amazing to win a gold. I think I sped up with 200m to go, but I know I have that speed in me, so it definitely helped. I just feel exhausted now. I went into the race thinking I could win and I did, so it has given me a lot of confidence for the future,” Sandilands told IPC.

Sandro Baessa from Portugal put up an exceptional performance, recording his personal best time of 3:54.04 and securing the final spot on the podium.

T20 Women’s Long Jump

Karolina Kucharczyk, a two-time Paralympic Champion and world record holder, reaffirmed her absolute dominance in the Women’s Long Jump event for the T20 class. In a phenomenal display of her abilities, Kucharczyk successfully defended her title by leaping to an impressive distance of 6.08 meters in her fifth attempt, setting a new season record. Zileide Cassiano Da Silva from Brazil secured the silver medal for herself with a jump of 5.97 meters, showcasing her own exceptional skills in the competition.

Jardenia Felix Barbosa Da Silva from Brazil, a Tokyo 2020 Bronze medallist, once again showcased her versatility and remarkable talent at the Paris 23 event. In the Long Jump event, she secured the bronze medal with a jump of 5.49 meters. This achievement adds to her previous bronze medal in the 400m event at Tokyo 2020, highlighting her prowess in multiple disciplines.

T20 Women’s 1500m

Barbara Bieganowska-Zajac, the three-time Paralympic Champion and world record holder, showcased her unwavering dominance by claiming the gold medal in impressive fashion with a fantastic season-best time of 4:28.66.

Antonia Keyla Da Silva from Brazil added another silver medal to her country’s tally, crossing the finish line with a time of 4:30.75. Liudmyla Danlina from Ukraine secured the bronze medal while also recording her season-best time of 4:32.93.

Brazil dominated the T20 events medal tally with five medals (one gold, three silver and one bronze) and stood second on the overall tally, followed by Ukraine who also secured five medals (one gold, one silver and three bronze).

These remarkable performances exemplify the incredible talent and determination displayed by these athletes on the world stage.

Maksym and Breanna thrashed World Records at Paris 23

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The 2023 World Para Athletics Championships are underway in Paris from 9th July and will conclude on 17th. The elites with an intellectual impairment who won multiple medals at the 2023 Virtus Global games this June, made their way to Paris and already stealing the show.

WR in F20 Men’s Shot-Put

Maksym Koval at Virtus Global Games. Photo credit: T.NGUYEN

The reigning Paralympic and Virtus Games champion, Maksym Koval from Ukraine thrashed the world record in the F20 Shot. Maksym broke two Virtus World Records recently at the 2023 Global Games, in the II1 Mens shot put and in discuss throw. Improving his performance by 0.10m from the GG2023 result, Koval reached an incredible distance of 17.57 meters, setting the new WR in the event. Zolkefli Muhammad Ziyad (MAS) secured second place whilst recording his season-best with 17.21m and Yarovyi Oleksandr (UKR) settled for the bronze with 16.99m. 

WR in T20 Women’s 400m

Breanna Clark at Tokyo 2020. Photo Credit: OIS

Two-time Paralympic Champion, Breanna Clark from the USA shattered the world record in 400m with her lightning speed, clocking an impressive time of 55.12 seconds. Clark set the Championship record in the heats with 55.52sec and later cracked the WR in the finals. Yuliia Shuliar (UKR) recorded her season best with 56.29 and secured the silver while Carina Paim from Portugal grabbed the last spot on the podium.

CR in F20 Women’s Shot Put

Sabrina Fortune (GBR) retained her title in F20 Shot Put. The Welsh athlete also set a new championship record with a distance of 14.01 meters by defeating the Paralympic Champion, Poleth Mandez from Ecuador who covered 13.60m. Shpachynska  Viktoriia (UKR) settled for the Bronze. 

The T20 Men’s 400m, T20 Men’s and Women’s 1500m, F20 Women’s and Men’s Long Jump are scheduled for the 14th evening, the 16th and 17th July respectively.

Live coverage and results of the events are available on the World Para Athletics Website.

Lenine Cunha represented Athletes with II at IPC Athletes’ Forum

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The 95th International Paralympic Committee Governing Board meeting was held in Seoul, South Korea from the 21st to the 24th of June which was followed by the IPC Athletes Forum from the 25th to the 27th of June. Both events were hosted by the Korean Paralympic Committee at the National Training Centre, known for its exceptional facilities including 300 accessible rooms and amenities.

During the IPC Governing Board meeting, President Andrew Parsons, CEO Mike Peters, Governing Board members, and staff came together to discuss various topics and provided updates on the processes and policies of the IPC, on the Games and on future plans. The overarching aim was to work towards the IPC’s vision of creating an inclusive world through the promotion and development of para-sport.

The three-day IPC Athletes Forum was conducted soon after the Governing Board meeting and more than 60 athlete representatives participated in the third IPC Athletes’ Forum. Virtus and Athletes with intellectual impairments were represented for the first time ever at an IPC Athletes Forum by Track and Field legend and Virtus Ambassador, Lenine Cunha.

Robyn Smith and Lenine Cunha at the 2023 IPC Athletes’ forum.

“It was amazing. I felt very welcomed and of course, for me, it was a great honour to be the first one to represent  Virtus. We talked about a lot of things like athletes’ future after retirement, their mental health, anti-doping and how IPC can support athletes with intellectual impairment more”, said Lenine Cunha.

“Athletes with intellectual impairments need more opportunities at Paralympic Games like more events and sports and IPC President, Andrew Parsons said he will look into this, if not for Paris 2024 but for LA2028”, he further added.

On day one, discussions on a variety of topics including the impact of Para sports, leadership, Paralympic Games and anti-doping.

The second day of the forum primarily focused on classification, covering the basics and providing an update on the IPC Athlete Classification Code review. There was also a session on governance, emphasizing athlete representation in IPC Committees under the new IPC Constitution. The day concluded with a Q&A session with IPC President Andrew Parsons and IPC CEO Mike Peters, allowing attendees to ask questions and gain further insights.

The forum’s final day, held on June 27, featured a panel discussion centred around athlete representation, as well as discussions on athlete well-being and career transition. Additionally, a breakout session was conducted to explore the essential qualities that an athlete leader should possess.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President said, “The IPC Athletes’ Forum was a fantastic opportunity for the IPC to inform athletes about our ongoing work but most importantly for the IPC to hear first-hand from athletes about their issues, challenges and things that matter most to them. To engage with athletes for three full days, away from competition, to learn more will make the IPC an even better, more athlete-focused organisation.”

Robyn Smith, Vice President of Virtus and IPC Governing Board member also attended the Athletes’ forum to support Lenine, but she was proud to say,

‘Lenine was simply exceptional, represented Virtus with honour, met many IPC leaders charming them with his personal skills and really did not need my support. Lenine proved that he can represent Virtus and athletes with intellectual impairments on any IPC athlete committee independently’.

Virtus conducted an athletes’ forum during the Virtus Global Games, and with Lenine’s exceptional leadership, the organization aims to nurture and strengthen this group, fostering continued growth and success