Jade Lucy poses on the podium at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Championships

#Brisbane2019: Swimmers to hit Global Games pool

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The countdown to the 2019 edition of the Global Games – the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment – continues.

Swimming is one of the largest sports that fans can enjoy in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

Events will take place at the Brisbane Aquatics Centre as athletes go for titles. Some will also continue their road to Tokyo 2020 as Paralympic champions make the journey to Australia.

In swimming, medals will be awarded in three categories for the first time. II1 athletes – also known as S14 in the Paralympics – have an intellectual impairment. II2 athletes have a more severe intellectual impairment, such as Down syndrome. II3 athletes have high functioning autism – this category is a demonstration event for the 2019 Global Games as research continues.

Men’s

Hong Kong’s Wai Lok Tang is one of the main contenders in the men’s events, including in the 200m freestyle II1 and 100m backstroke II1.

The 200m free is on the Paralympic programme and in 2015 at the last Global Games in Ecuador, Tang topped the podium around one year before winning gold at Rio 2016.

However Brazil’s Felipe Caltran Vila Real is the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming champion. He took the win at the INAS Swimming Championships in 2017 in Tang’s absence.

In the 100m backstroke, Tang finished second in 2015. France’s Nathan Maillet is the 2017 gold medallist whilst teammate Simon Blaise finished second.

Hosts Australia will try to live up to expectations in one of their national sports.

Liam Schluter is amongst the world’s top five in the men’s 200m individual medley II1 as he tries to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

Japan’s Takuya Tsugawa is building towards a home appearance of his own as the silver medallist from the 2015 Global Games. Caltran could also feature as the 2017 champion.

In the men’s 100m butterfly II1, Brazil’s Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes will go head-to-head with the rest of the podium from 2017. Japan’s Haruki Takayanagi and Shunya Murakamki left with silver and bronze two years ago.

Women’s

An equally stacked field is expected in the women’s events.

Spain’s Michelle Alonso is the women’s 100m breaststroke II1 Paralympic champion, adding to her gold from London 2012.

Those who follow the sport closely will also know to look out for Brazilian twins Debora and Beatriz Carneiro.

Most recently Debora won Parapan American Gold in Lima, Peru, whilst her sister finished with silver. Debora is also the World Intellectual Impairment Sport champion.

In the 200m freestyle II1, Australia’s Jade Lucy will power out of the blocks as the world No.8 and 2017 gold medallist. Her teammate Ruby Storm is the world No.9.

The USA’s Leslie Cichocki is also a serial medallist and, as of 2016, a Paralympian. Cichocki made history at Rio 2016 when she became the first swimmer with an intellectual impairment to compete for her country.

The American has a silver in the 200m individual medley from 2015 as well as silver in the women’s 100m butterfly and 100m backstroke from 2017.

In the backstroke, Hong Kong’s Yu Lam Chan will challenge Cichocki as the world No.5.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Nearly 1,000 competitors will go for gold in 10 sports in Brisbane from 12-19 October.

#Brisbane2019: World’s top track and field stars to line-up

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With 10 days to go until the start of the 2019 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games, top athletes are arriving in Brisbane, Australia, ready to take to the track and field.

Men and women will compete in a full range of events from long jump and shot put to hurdles and 10,000m between 14-18 October.

Medals will be awarded in three categories for the first time. II1 athletes – also known as T or F20 in the Paralympics – have an intellectual impairment. II2 athletes have a more severe intellectual impairment, such as Down syndrome. II3 athletes have high functioning autism – this category is a trial event for the 2019 Global Games.

Men’s

A series of Paralympic medallists, 2015 Global Games champions and top-ranked athletes will line-up at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre.

Cape Verde’s Gracelino Barbosa is a podium finisher from the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the men’s 400m II1/T20. Four years ago at the last Global Games in Ecuador, Barbosa also won gold in the event.

But he is talented elsewhere on the track as the defending Games and 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics champion in the 100m hurdles, as well as the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics champion in the 100m sprint.

2015 hosts Ecuador have sent a strong team to Brisbane.

This includes the shot put II1/F20 world No.1 Jordi Patricio Congo Villalba and his closest rival and teammate Stalin David Mosquera Congo, the world No.2.

Congo is also the defending discus title-holder.

Roberto Carlos Chala Espinoza is second in the world in the men’s long jump but will face a tough field of opponents.

Compatriot Ronny Mauricio Santos Iza collected bronze in 2015 and has gone on to hold a top five position in the world rankings.

Japan’s Kanta Kokubo also joins both the Ecuadorians as one of the best long jumpers.

Hosts Australia have their own horse in the race in the form of Jack Connors, the bronze medallist from 2017.

However the big draw in this event will be Portugal’s Lenine Cunha.

Cunha has won over 200 international medals, including gold from 2015 and 2017 and bronze from London 2012.

Ecuador’s Anderson Alexander Colorado Mina, the world No.3, and Japan’s Yuki Iwata, the No.9, will line-up in the 1,500m.

In the men’s II2, France’s Nicolas Virapin will continue to make history. In 2018 Virapin became the first man to win medals in the category at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics Indoor Championships. He will go for the first Global Games titles in Brisbane.

Women’s

France’s multi-talented Gloria Agblemagnon is set to enter a variety of II1/T20 track and field events in her quest for gold.

Agblemagnon is the world No.2 in shotput and the 2015 champion in the hammer throw. She also holds the 2017 title in that and the discus.

Agblemagnon is likely to be challenged in the shot-put by Ecuador’s Poleth Mendes, the silver medallist from the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sports and Regions Councils will gather delegates from around the world

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A strong Japanese contingent is expected across other II1/T20 events as the country prepares to host the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Makiko Toyoshima returns as the women’s 3,000m II1/T20 champion from 2015.

Aimi Toyama is world ranked no.3 in the women’s 400m. Sayaka Makita has gone from finishing seventh in 2015 to the world No.5 in the 1,500m. Makita also secured bronze in the 3,000m in 2015.

Portugal’s Ana Felipe is a rising star of the women’s long jump and is amongst the world’s top three.

Australia will pin their hopes on Caytlyn Sharp, the 2017 gold medallist in the high jump II1/T20.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Nearly 1,000 competitors will go for gold in 10 sports in Brisbane from 12-19 October.

Notes to editors: World rankings refer to those held and administered by World Para Athletics.

Great Britain’s Kiera Byland: Daring to dream

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Great Britain’s Kiera Byland is ‘daring to dream’ of multiple medals from both the road and track during the 2019 Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

Byland is the defending women’s time trial and road race world champion, but is also hoping to excel in the team events as well as at the velodrome when track cycling makes its debut.

“I’m excited to be representing Great Britain through UKSA [UK Sports Association, the Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport national member]. For the first time I will be able to compete in the female road team time trial with Lauren [Booth] and do track racing which I’m really looking forward to,” Byland said. “My goal is to be the best that I can be, to try and get some PB’s [personal bests] if I can and anything else will be an added bonus.”

In 2018 Byland grabbed double world gold in Paris, France. But the podium is not her only focus.

“I could say the medals are one of the less important things, what is really precious are the friendships you build through it. Sport definitely gave me an opportunity and changed my life.”

The last couple of years have seen Byland progress her performance and form rapidly. She made her international debut at the worlds in 2017, sealing double gold again and has not looked back.

As part of her rise to the top, the British rider has also used her talents as a platform to inspire other women and people with intellectual impairments.

Byland is now a motivational speaker and gets the chance to address children who might be facing the same challenges as she did as a youngster. The 21-year-old also attends business school but has one eye on a coaching career, maybe transferring her skills into her other sport of swimming.

“When I was younger, back at school, it was really hard for me,” Byland said. “I had problems of bullying, I did not have a big self-confidence. I believe that in these situations people should step in, even a nice gesture can make a huge difference.

“At the beginning it was not easy, I passed from not being able to ride a bike at all to competitions in a very short time. It was something that happened day after day, you gain that awareness you can do it.

“It was not a dream at the beginning, but it became one. Probably we just need to dare to dream sometimes. This is what I say to all the people who are in the situation I was: just dare to dream.”

The 2019 Global Games will feature nearly 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports, including road and track cycling. Road cycling takes place from 14-15 October ahead of the debut of track cycling on 17 and 19 October.

The Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Biggest ever anti-doping testing programme to take place at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has announced that the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, will feature the biggest anti-doping programme in the event’s history.

Alongside the Australian Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) and the Global Games Sports Company, World Intellectual Impairment Sport has been working to ensure that it meets its commitment to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Anti-Doping Code.

This not only includes increased testing, but also improving education efforts to ensure that athletes and teams have the information they need to compete clean.

Marc Truffaut, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, said: “The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments. It is therefore only right that competitors are subject to the same rigorous testing as any other major international competition.

“The standard of athletes has increased an incredible amount as countries continue to invest in development. It is our responsibility to reflect that sea-change, as the worldwide body responsible for promoting these athletes and protecting their interests around the world.

“We are therefore proud to say that we fully support WADA’s anti-doping efforts, and with this announcement we are showing how that commitment translates into practice.”

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games will feature nearly 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports.

For swimming, athletics and table tennis, Brisbane 2019 is a key stop on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. For others it is the highest level they can compete at and various sports will enjoy the endorsement of the relevant International Federation.

2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games medals

Iconic World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games medals revealed

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The gold, silver and bronze medals to be presented at over 200 medal ceremonies at the 2019 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, were revealed at the Royal Australian Mint on Wednesday (25 September).

The medals were designed by Royal Australian Mint Coin Designer, Bronwyn King who was briefed on the origin of the Games and its increasing popularity for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games CEO, Robyn Smith, said the designer was provided with key themes to feature in the creative design including Australia, resilience and inclusion.

“Bronwyn’s inspiration was derived from Australia’s floral icon, the Gum Blossom.  In times of drought, insect plagues, floods and even the intensity of the harsh Aussie sun, the Gum Blossom is resilient and strong with bright and colourful blooms.

“The Gum Blossom in all its glory represents our athletes, their strength and courage and ability to overcome barriers to flourish against the odds.

“The close up of the blossom design on the reverse of the medal depicts inclusion and the many hundreds of athletes coming to Brisbane, Australia, from all over the world to unite, compete and celebrate the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games.

“This is a really significant and exciting occasion for athletes competing in GG2019 as medals are symbolic and the ultimate goal that athletes aspire to win,” Ms Smith said.

Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade, Annastacia Palaszczuk commended designer Bronwyn King on the distinct and striking Australian design of the medals.

“The medals will be a tangible reward and lifetime reminder to those who receive them of competing on the world stage at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The Queensland Government is proud to be a sponsor of the Games and to welcome athletes from around the world to our great state.

“We look forward to our local team members going for gold against the world’s best.”

Producing the medals for the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games continues the Royal Australian Mint’s long-standing tradition of involvement with many of Australia’s greatest sporting events.

The Royal Australian Mint’s responsible Minister, the Hon Michael Sukkar, the Minister for Housing & Assistant Treasurer said; “We look forward to seeing these medals worn by the outstanding GG2019 athletes and feel sure this reveal will provide them with further inspiration and determination as the Games draw closer.”

2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games Australian swimmer and Commonwealth Games representative, Joshua Alford, said they were excited to be one of the first athletes to see the medals for the Games and they were looking forward to competing in their home country.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments. Nearly 1,000 competitors will go for medals in 10 sports between 12-19 October. 

 

Support needed for II2 research project in Brisbane

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During the forthcoming Global Games in Brisbane, World Intellectual Impairment Sport will be conducting a research programme to refine and strengthen the II2 eligibility process.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport members are encouraged to get involved in the research, and a short video has been made to explain more about the project.

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World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games tickets go on sale

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games 2019 (GG2019) today launched ticket sales for the international sporting competition that will see nearly 1,000 elite athletes with an intellectual impairment from all over the world descend on Brisbane, Australia from 12-19 October.

Queensland Minister for Innovation, Tourism Development and Minister for Commonwealth Games, Hon. Kate Jones presented the first ticket to Julie-Anne Campbell, mother of GG2019 Australian team sprinter, Alberto Campbell who will finish her treatment for breast cancer just in time to see her son compete on home soil.

Alberto has spent the last few months wearing pink socks and a pink headband training for GG2019 to raise awareness of breast cancer while his mum undergoes treatment.

Born in Jamaica and adopted by the Campbell family when he was nine years old, Brisbane resident, Alberto said he was excited that the tickets for the Games were now on sale and that his mum would be front and centre when he competes.

“Having my parents at the competition means so much to me and I can’t wait to compete in front of all my friends and family.”

Queensland Minister for Innovation, Tourism Development and Minister for Commonwealth Games, Hon. Kate Jones said the launch of tickets was a key milestone in the countdown to Global Games with the cost of tickets set at an incredibly affordable 10 (AUD) per person, per sport, per day, with children under six years admitted free.

“This is an event where you will see athletes who have qualified to represent their countries compete with the very best in their field including many Paralympians with a number looking to qualify for next year’s 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

“The competition will be fierce but friendly and I encourage everyone to buy a ticket and come and support Aussie athletes and athletes from overseas as they go for gold right here in Brisbane,” Minister Jones said.

GG2019 CEO, Robyn Smith said the Games were shaping up to be the biggest in the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games history with 50 countries already confirmed to attend.

“We have athletes from as far as Russia, France, China and America coming to compete in 10 sports contested in venues across Brisbane including the Queensland Tennis Centre, the Anna Meares Velodrome, with the southernmost venue being the Coomera Rowing Centre.

“GG2019 epitomises inclusivity and celebrates the outstanding talent of athletes from all over the world with an intellectual impairment who have all worked hard to represent their countries.

“This is a unique opportunity to experience an international event with very affordable, family friendly ticket prices and guaranteed spectacular sporting feats.

“Many of our events will be live streamed on our website and reported internationally with several international media accompanying teams.

“Brisbane will be on the world stage and with a potential bid for the Olympics on the horizon we aim to showcase the city and our world class sporting venues in action,” Ms Smith said.

Tickets for the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are on sale today. Visit gg2019.org for details.

Jeremy Pereira and Leo Collet compete in the time trial at the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Cycling World Championships

Collet targets Global Games triple

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By Giuseppe Napoli and Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

France’s Leo Collet is targeting a Global Games triple in just over a month’s time, hoping to add individual road cycling crowns to his team world title in Brisbane, Australia.

In 2018, Collet was one half of a winning French duo – alongside Jeremy Pereira – that claimed the men’s team time trial gold at home in Paris, France.

However Collet’s performance was not matched in the individual events. A seventh and 13th place finish in the time trial and road race, respectively, left him well away from the podium. Now Collet has had more than one year to change his fortunes.

“The beginning of last year was somewhat catastrophic, but I kept improving and the team time trial competition was way better,” he said. “I think I could have done better if I had trained better. Now I want to win three medals in the three races, after all my goal is to do my best all the times”.

The French team has been preparing for the Global Games with an intense training camp, with extra benefits.

“The training for cycling is quite hard. We need to wake up quite early and I personally watch cycling videos to keep my motivation high. I must say that recovery is the best part of this all: we make massages, balneotherapy and sprint exercises.”

Despite being fairly new to cycling at the highest levels Collet, who started the sport when he was 12, already has a collection of good and bad memories: “I remember my first race ever, it was so bad. Nevertheless, I insisted and year after year I have improved a lot. My first cap in the French team in Paris, and the world champions title in the team time trial with Jeremy, were definitively the highlights of my career.”

The 2019 Global Games are expected to attract nearly 1,000 athletes who will compete in 10 sports between 12-19 October.

Countries from around the world will compete, gathered by their respective national Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport members.

“The Fédération française du Sport adapté is like a second family for me,” Collet said. “I am looking forward to the competitions in Brisbane. In general, I have a good relationship with my colleagues and there is a nice atmosphere in these events. I am truly happy to be part of this.”

Janina Falk poses with her medal from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming World Championships

Falk set to make World Championships debut

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By Alison Thompson and Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Austrian teenager Janina Falk has her sights set on success at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London, Great Britain, from 9-15 September, as she plans her Paralympic debut.

At 16-years-old, Falk already has some good experience under her belt including medals from international competitions.

These include golds from the 2016 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships (Europe) and bronze from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships aged 14.

The rising star, who competes in S14 events, is now ecstatic to be making her Worlds debut in London.

“I am very happy and proud that I have qualified for the World Championships and training is going very well,” Falk said. “Plus, since it’s the school holidays, I can train eight times a week in the water.”

Such dedication and hard work is certainly paying off for Falk, who started swimming at eight years old. She is also a versatile athlete, with her medals so far coming from butterfly, breaststroke and freestyle over distances ranging from 50m to 800m.

“The three gold medals I won at the 2016 European Championships were a great success for me.  It was amazing when the Austrian national anthem was played at the award ceremony.  It was my first big competition and motivated me to train even harder. Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport competitions are the cornerstones of my career, the successes have motivated me a lot.”

Most recently Falk has seen success at the European Para Youth Games in Finland, describing competing in the multiclass event as “the highlight of my career so far.”

Her success at such a young age has meant that Falk has started to lay the groundwork for becoming a national treasure. For three years between 2015-17 she was named the Austrian Disabled Sports Association Young Athlete of the Year.

“It makes me very proud that I was able to win the junior athlete’s choice three times as a mentally impaired athlete,” she said.

By the very nature of her success, Falk typically competes against older athletes but is undaunted by the prospect: “For me it is important to have opponents who are a challenge to me, no matter how old they are.

“Who are currently my opponents I could not say, I am currently focusing only on myself. The biggest thing I’ve learnt in my career so far is that you must never give up, you have to fight to the end.”

From starting out at Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport competitions, through to World Para Swimming events, Falk now has her sights on success on the biggest stage of them all: “My goal is the Paralympics in Tokyo, I will also train with a private trainer and also swim more training sessions a week.”

For Falk, Para swimming is a great leveller and means she can reach her best.

“In the water I feel free, it does not matter if I have a handicap or not”

New Paralympic documentary in the pipeline

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Producers John Battsek of two-time Academy Award winning Passion Pictures (One Day in September, Searching for Sugar Man) and Greg Nugent of HTYT Films are to produce a ground-breaking new feature documentary, provisionally titled ‘Harder Than You Think’, which charts the extraordinary story of the Paralympic Games.

The film will be directed by BAFTA-nominated directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (McQueen) and will tell the story of how the Paralympic Games grew from its post-war inception to become the world’s third largest sporting event.

Producer Barbara Broccoli OBE (James Bond franchise) and BAFTA winning and Academy Award nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis CBE (Yesterday, Love Actually) will serve as Executive Producers together with accomplished US Paralympian Tatyana McFadden and former International Paralympic Committee (IPC) CEO Xavier Gonzalez.

HTYT Films hold the global rights, granted by the IPC, and have financed the film.

Set to be released Summer 2020 in the run-up to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, the film will chart the story of how one man’s vision that sport can deliver purpose to persons with disabilities sparked a movement which over half a century has grown into the third biggest event on the planet.

The filmmakers will blend never-before-seen archive footage through to the extraordinary stories of today’s athletes, leaders and visionaries. With production now underway, filming completed to-date includes current IPC President Andrew Parsons, former IPC President Sir Philip Craven MBE, and Eva Loeffler OBE whose father Sir Ludwig Guttmann founded the Paralympic Movement.

A range of renowned Paralympians from around the world have also been filmed or are scheduled to be filmed in the future including Jonnie Peacock MBE (Great Britain), Jean Baptiste Alaize (France), Beatrice “Bebe” Vio (Italy), Shingo Kunieda (Japan), Daniel Dias (Brazil) and Tatyana McFadden (USA).

The film will also talk about how other events like the Invictus Games are building on the huge impact of the Paralympic Movement, helping to challenge and continue to change the perception of ability right around the world. As part of this, filming has also taken place with HRH the Duke of Sussex talking about his admiration for the Paralympic Movement and the parallels with his own motivation for creating the Invictus Games.

At a time when a lack of diversity in the entertainment industry remains firmly in the spotlight, this major new documentary will be a landmark piece of filmmaking whose ambition is to change the way the world thinks about human potential.

Greg Nugent of HTYT Films said: “It is a great honour to be given the chance to bring this extraordinary story to a global audience. It is a story that has never been more important and we are thrilled to have attracted such a talented, creative and diverse team to help us tell it.”

Producer John Battsek said: “We are currently experiencing a golden age in feature documentary filmmaking. The opportunity to bring the remarkable story of the Paralympic Movement to a worldwide audience working alongside a world-class creative team in Ian and Peter, and with the involvement of Greg Nugent and such an elite group of Executive Producers, is both an honour and a privilege.”

Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime story for us to tell, and there’s never been a better time to tell it. It’s a story with an incredibly cinematic sweep, full of emotion. We want to take audiences on a visceral rollercoaster ride that reflects the many hurdles, disasters and triumphs that the Paralympic Movement has faced on its epic journey from a minor English tournament to this massive global event. It’s a story that inspires and challenges us as filmmakers, and we look forward to opening the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere to some of the most astonishing human and sporting stories you will ever experience.”