March 8 is celebrated worldwide as International Women’s Day, a day to recognise and celebrate the achievements, strength, and leadership of women across the globe. Within the Virtus community, many women have played a transformative role in advancing opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Today, we celebrate five inspiring women whose dedication, leadership, and achievements have made a lasting contribution to the Virtus movement, helping us to create a more inclusive sporting world.

1. Robyn Smith OAM

Robyn Smith OAM at the 2025 Virtus General Assembly. Photo Credit: ESFID

Sixty-five-year-old, Robyn Smith OAM is a trailblazing leader who has dedicated more than four decades to advancing inclusive sport, governance, and international collaboration. In November 2025, she made history by becoming the first female President of Virtus, a milestone that reflects both her strategic vision and her lifelong commitment to athletes with an intellectual impairment. That same month, she was re-elected to the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board, further strengthening the connection between the Paralympic and Virtus movements. She also played a key leadership role in delivering the 2019 Virtus Global Games, a landmark event that showcased the talent of athletes with an intellectual impairment from around the world.

Her leadership career includes many years as CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia (Virtus member in Australia), where she played a pivotal role in strengthening opportunities for athletes with disabilities. She also serves on the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, helping shape the future of inclusive sport on one of the world’s biggest stages. In recognition of her exceptional service to the disability community, Robyn was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2022.

Robyn’s impact extends across the international sporting landscape.  Through her governance expertise, advocacy, and commitment to high-performance sport, Robyn continues to shape a more inclusive future, ensuring that the Virtus movement grows stronger and that athletes with an intellectual impairment are recognised on the global stage.

2. Jan Burns MBE

Jan Burns MBE on the left, receiving Virtus ‘Hall of Fame’ award. Photo Credit: ESFID

Jan Burns MBE is a visionary clinical psychologist whose dedication to social justice has helped transform disability rights and inclusion in sport. An Emeritus Professor at Canterbury Christ Church University, Jan has played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations that support fair and credible competition for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

At a critical moment for the movement, Jan worked closely with the International Paralympic Committee to develop the “gold-standard” eligibility system that remains central to classification in sport for athletes with intellectual disabilities today. Her research and leadership were instrumental in enabling the return of athletes with intellectual impairments to the Paralympic Games, a milestone that restored opportunity and recognition for many athletes worldwide.

Professor Jan Burns has had a distinguished academic career at Canterbury Christ Church University, where her work has combined psychology, social justice, and real-world impact. She was involved in the early development of feminist psychology in the UK and has consistently advocated for psychology that addresses the lived experiences of women and marginalised communities. Drawing on her own experiences as a woman and psychologist, her work has emphasised intersectionality and the importance of applied research that creates meaningful change in people’s lives. Her outstanding contributions have been recognised through numerous honours, including the 2012 Gold Podium Research Award, an MBE in 2015, and induction into the Virtus Hall of Fame in 2025. As Chair of the IPC Classification Compliance and Oversight Committee, Jan continues to guide international standards, demonstrating how dedicated leadership can strengthen the Virtus movement and promote fairness and opportunity for athletes everywhere.

3. Barbara Bieganowska-Zając

Barbara Biegenowska at Paris 2024. Photo Credit: NPC Poland

Affectionately known as “Golden Basia,” Barbara Bieganowska-Zając is one of the most accomplished athletes in para-athletics history. The Polish middle-distance runner has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than three decades, defined by consistency, resilience, and extraordinary success on the track.

At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Barbara achieved a historic milestone by winning her fifth Paralympic gold medal, marking her fourth consecutive victory in the T20 1500m event and fifth Paralympic title overall at the age of forty-three. Her achievements extend far beyond the Paralympics: she has also secured numerous titles at the Virtus Global Games and Virtus World Championships, cementing her status as a dominant force within the Virtus competition pathway.

Away from the track, Barbara balances elite sport with family life as a devoted mother of two, drawing strength from their support while continuing to compete at the highest level well into her forties. Barbara’s impact on the Virtus movement goes beyond medals. By openly speaking about the everyday challenges associated with intellectual impairment—from navigating complex systems to addressing misconceptions—she brings visibility to barriers that many athletes still face. Through her honesty and determination, she challenges stereotypes and inspires young female athletes with intellectual disabilities to pursue their dreams.

4. Elena Prokofeva

Elena Prokofeva in action from the Class-11 finals at Tokyo 2020. Photo Credit: ITTF

Elena Prokofeva is a towering figure in para table tennis, renowned for her longevity, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication to the sport. Having started playing at the age of nine, she spent decades refining her skills before making her international debut in 2014. Her rise was extraordinary. Within months of competing internationally, Elena climbed to World Number 1 in the Class 11 category, a position she has maintained with remarkable consistency. Over the years, she has accumulated an impressive collection of gold medals at World, European and Virtus championships, establishing herself as one of the most influential athletes in the history of para table tennis.

Her career reached a defining moment at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where, at the age of 50, she captured Paralympic gold in her debut appearance. Her success did not stop there. In 2025, at the age of 54, she claimed II1 singles gold at the Virtus World Table Tennis Championships in Cairo, continuing to compete at the highest level against athletes decades younger.

Elena’s achievements highlight the strength of the Virtus competition pathway and demonstrate how dedication and opportunity can allow athletes with intellectual impairments to thrive at the elite level. She stands as an inspiring example for women in sport, proving that excellence and passion can endure across a lifetime.

5. Amal Mobadda

Engineer Amal Mobadda is widely recognised as one of Egypt’s leading advocates for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities. She holds several influential leadership roles, serving as President of the Egyptian Federation for Intellectual Disabilities, President of the African Federation for Intellectual Disabilities, and Vice President of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee. She also leads the Communication and Fundraising sector at El Kheir Foundation, one of Egypt’s largest development organisations. Amal previously served as a Board Member of Virtus, reflecting her important contribution to the international movement supporting athletes with intellectual impairments.

Since leading the Egyptian Federation for Intellectual Disabilities following its establishment in 2014, Amal has overseen the development of a strong national sports system that creates opportunities for athletes to train, compete, and succeed. Under her leadership, the federation has organised hundreds of national competitions and supported Egyptian athletes in achieving international success, including medal-winning performances at the Virtus Global Games.

Amal is also the founder of the presidential celebration “Qaderoon Bekhtelaf”, a major national initiative supported by Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The celebration has played a significant role in raising awareness, showcasing the talents of persons with disabilities, and promoting a culture of inclusion and respect across Egyptian society.

As we enter our 40th year, Virtus would like to thank all the women leaders, athletes, volunteers, and coaches who are setting an example for the younger generation and are leaving a lasting legacy in the movement.  

Virtus at 40: Championing Excellence since 1986 

The second day of the 2026 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championships brought a shift from endurance to explosive speed, as athletes competed in the 1.4km sprint finals – and for many, it was a moment to confirm dominance established on Day 1.

In the II1 men’s sprint, Neutral athlete Ivan Volegov once again proved untouchable. After claiming gold in the 10km freestyle on Day 1, he returned to the course to secure a second gold medal, demonstrating both endurance and sprint excellence. Fellow Neutral athlete, Dmitri Morozov, delivered a strong performance to take silver, while Titouan Dubois (FRA) added to France’s medal tally with a well-earned bronze.

The II1 women’s race mirrored the consistency seen in the men’s field. Irina Guber continued her winning streak, backing up her Day 1 gold in the 10km freestyle with another commanding victory in the sprint. Alina Kashevarova and Victoria Konovalova once again completed the podium – the same top three from Day 1 – highlighting remarkable consistency and depth within the Neutral team.

In the II2 category, momentum carried over with strong individual performances. Clément Colomby (FRA), who secured gold on Day 1, continued his winning form by taking the top spot again in the sprint.

Clément Richard (FRA) added another gold for France, stepping up strongly in the sprint event and reinforcing the nation’s growing impact in the II3 category.

Across both days, a clear narrative is emerging – champions are not only winning, but repeating their success across formats. From Volegov and Guber’s double victories to Colomby’s continued dominance, Day 2 was defined by athletes who are setting the standard for consistency at the highest level.

Delegates will enjoy a day relaxing in the beautiful city of Shchuchinsk and resume the competition on 23rd February with 5km middle-distance race.

For four decades, Virtus has stood at the forefront of inclusion in sport – creating opportunity, recognition and a global stage for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Established in 1986 by a group of professionals determined to ensure that athletes with an intellectual impairment must have the chance to compete, be recognised, and belong, Virtus has grown from just 14 founding members into a worldwide movement representing more than 500,000 athletes across 90+ nations. Today, the federation continues to champion fairness, excellence and opportunity across every region of the world.

From the first General Assembly in 1988 and the inaugural World Games in Sweden in 1989, to athletes’ early Summer Paralympic appearances in Madrid (1992) and Winter Paralympics appearance in Nagano (1998), the journey has been one of resilience, progress and unwavering belief in the ability of every athlete.

The launch of the Global Games in 2004 marked a new era of international competition. Since then, six editions of the Global Games have been successfully delivered, strengthening elite pathways for athletes with an intellectual impairment worldwide.

This progress contributed to athletes with an intellectual impairment competing across seven summer and one winter Paralympic Games editions with multiple World and Paralympic Records being broken. Virtus continues to work alongside IFs and the International Paralympic Committee to strive for re-inclusion in the winter Paralympic Games along with more sports at the summer Paralympics.

In 2019, the organisation embraced a new identity – Virtus – with a clear purpose: to make the invisible visible, placing the talent and ability of athletes at the centre of everything it does. That same commitment continues today, highlighted by milestones such as the introduction of full medal events for athletes with an intellectual impairment and significant other impairment (II2) in 2019 INAS Global Games and for athletes with autism (II3) at the 2023 Virtus Global Games.

In 2024, Virtus ambassador Lenine Cunha became the first athlete with an intellectual impairment to join the IPC’s Athletes’ Council. With Lenine as the chairperson, Virtus has also established its own Athletes’ Council comprising of 7 members in total representing all three eligibility groups.

To honour this legacy, we are unveiling our upgraded anniversary logo – a logo that reflects our brand values and our mission.

As Virtus celebrates 40 years, this anniversary is not only a reflection on the past, but a recognition of the athletes, leaders, partners and communities who have shaped its journey – and a renewed commitment to building even stronger, more inclusive pathways for the future.

40 years of progress.

40 years of partnership.

40 years of championing excellence through sports – and the journey continues.