Athletes and coaches wanted for research study

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Athletes with intellectual impairments and their coaches are being asked to take part in a research project which aims to get more young people in Europe into sport.

The Intellectual Disability and Equal Opportunities for Active and Long-term participation in sport – or IDEAL – is an Erasmus funded project which brings together organisations across the region.

Its aim is to address known inequalities in access to sport for youngsters with intellectual impairments so that more people can get active and reach their potential.

The IDEAL team are searching for athletes and coaches with experience of giving or receiving coaching. They will carry out 20-30 minute interviews which will cover backgrounds and personal experiences.

The research will then be used to improve the standard of coaching for people with intellectual impairments.

Those taking part must have a good understanding of English and be aged 18 years or over.

Athletes must also have an intellectual impairment or autism and have been competing in a sport for at least six months with the help of a coach. Coaches need a minimum of one years experience working with these athletes.

Anyone interested should contact Matthew Johnston from Canterbury Christ Church University.

About IDEAL

One of the innovative aspects of the IDEAL project is the involvement and cooperation between multiple European parties. The IDEAL project brings together the main intellectual impairment sport organisations with research institutions to collaborate on sports policy. Such a large scale project has never been done in the past.

To advance the development of this area, an extensive partnership between several institutions is necessary. The coordination of these involved parties is carried out by the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, the overall coordinator of the project.

Included in this network of European parties are distinguished academic institutions across the EU. Each of these academic institutions is responsible for one specific sport or task related to their field of expertise.

As well as these sport institutions and universities, sport federations such as the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) and the International Paralympic Committee are involved. National sports federations are also a crucial part of the project.

For more information visit the IDEAL project website.

Male rowers from Italy

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Rowing launches ‘Cyber Championships’

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has launched an innovative online indoor rowing competition to grow the sport around the world.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Rowing hopes to attract more athletes by allowing them to submit their performances by video between 15 January – 31 March for the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Rowing Cyber Championships.

Entries are open for various events such as the men’s and women’s 500m and 1,000m and the 2,000m mixed team relay for two men and two women.

Athletes with national or international eligibility and competition license in the II1 (for athletes with an intellectual impairment), II2 (for athletes with a more significant impairment) and II3 (for athletes with high functioning autism) are all able to compete. The II1 and II2 will be medal events and the II3 will be a demonstration to gauge global interest.

The event is also the first time II2 and II3 athletes can compete in an World Intellectual Impairment Sport Rowing competition.

A weekly rankings list will be published as the entries come in. Athletes can also submit more than one entry. Competition is expected to be fierce as rowers try to outdo each other over the 2.5 months.

More information about entry requirements can be found here.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Africa launched

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Representatives from across Africa met in Cairo, Egypt, from 13-14 December to establish a new regional International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) organisation in Africa.

Hosted by the World Intellectual Impairment Sport member in Egypt – ESFID – administrators from Cameroon, Morocco, Sudan, Mauritius, Libya and Kenya attended the two day event. 

The group formalised its structure, agreed a new constitutional document and discussed future plans – including an ambition to host the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport regional competition for the Africa Region in 2020.

Elections were also held for key positions including:

  • Amal Mobadda (Egypt) who was elected as President
  • Masher Mohamed (Sudan) – Vice President for North African nations
  • Jean-Marie Malepa (Mauritius) – Vice President for South African nations
  • Hamid Al-Aouny (Morocco) – Secretary General
  • Ashraf Hussein (Egypt) – Treasurer
  • Khaled Mohammed (Libya) – Member at Large
  • Mohammed El Mazougy (Tunisia) – Member at Large

Masher Mohamed’s appointment is subject to the approval of Sudan’s World Intellectual Impairment Sport membership application.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut, said: “This gathering represents the most encouraging move in recent years towards establishing a much-needed World Intellectual Impairment Sport organisation in Africa.

“We are keen for more countries from the region to grow sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment and holding and attending competitions, and for those that already exist to be empowered to do the same.

“World Intellectual Impairment Sport sends it best wishes to those involved and we are grateful to ESFID for hosting this event and are excited to see the results.”

As well as creating World Intellectual Impairment Sport Africa, the group were also given introductions to eligibility and the work of World Intellectual Impairment Sport more generally.

Alberto Campbell-Staines: Global Games hometown hero

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Gaurav Mokhasi | For Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Australian national champion, Alberto Campbell-Staines, has spoken of his excitement to compete at his home International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games happening in Brisbane, from 12-19 October 2019.

The 25-year-old is relishing the chance of taking on his competitors in under one year in front of his family and friends. He has big dreams of stepping onto the podium.

“I’m taking it one year at a time”, he said. “My goal is to get into the 400m and 800m final at the Global Games, but it’ll be good to get either a silver or gold medal.”

As well as his national titles, Campbell-Staines is a bronze medallist in the 400m T20 from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. He also picked up silverware in the event at two World Para Athletics Grand Prix in 2015, winning gold in Brisbane and silver in Grosseto, Italy.

But recently the rising star prefers the longer distance where he has also achieved good results.

“The 800m is becoming my favourite these days”, he said before his father, Paul Staines proudly added: “Alberto broke into the top 10 in the world for the 800m earlier this year. He’s only been running 800m for two seasons now, and became the Australian champion last year”.

Currently ranked 14th in the world for the 400m and ninth for the 800m, Campbell-Staines has represented Australia at three World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics World Championships. Amidst this sea of success, he recalls his first event with fondness, “Getting a medal [bronze] at the 2013 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Championships in Prague was special. This was my first overseas trip, so that was one of my best achievements.”

Being a world-class athlete certainly has its benefits.

“I got to meet Johan Blake last year at the Queensland International Track Classic, where I train. They had big runners racing against each other before the Commonwealth Games. We had a quick photo together”, Campbell-Staines said, smiling. He also likes the fact that international sporting events allow him to travel all around the world.

Born in Jamaica like his idol, Usain Bolt, Campbell-Staines was left at an orphanage at an early age. It was here at school that he first met the Staines, a migrant Australian couple who were his teachers and later became his parents. His father, Paul, who was both his music and physical education (PE) instructor, said: “It’s quite funny that I taught PE because I’m not actually qualified to teach PE. They just said, ‘Oh, you’re from Australia; you must be good at sports!’ So that’s how I became Alberto’s PE teacher, but he very, very quickly surpassed all my athletic abilities.”

The Staines brought Alberto back to Australia soon after, where he continued to shine at school sporting events.

Paul continued: “By the time he was 10, we realized that there wasn’t much I could offer him by way of coaching, so that’s when we started getting outside coaching for him.”

Annette Rice now trains Campbell-Staines. When asked about the role she plays in shaping his success, he said: “She definitely pushes me to my limits during training. So, when I do the competitions, I find it a lot easier. She is always supporting me and is now doing everything to figure out what my squad and she can do to help me perform to the best of my abilities next year.”

When not in this intense training program, Campbell-Staines has a bunch of other hobbies to keep himself fresh and relaxed. “I play the drums. I like to play basketball and video games, and catch up with my friends as well.” He is also a teacher’s assistant part-time and has recently started coaching a group of 10-12 year olds.

“I’d like to become a full-time coach eventually, and share what I’ve learned from my own experiences and pass it onto kids”, he said.

In the run-up to the 2019 Global Games, Campbell-Staines will also be participating in weekly races during the athletics club season in Brisbane, followed by the State Championships in February and the Australian National Championships in March.

He is excited about welcoming competitors from all over the world to Brisbane next year: “I’m looking forward to showing off Brisbane to the visiting athletes. The biggest place that people go to when they come here is the South Bank, which is like a man-made beach in the heart of Brisbane. So,they should definitely visit that. They can also go to Mount Coot-tha for the lookout and of course, the Gold Coast.”

The Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments. The 2019 edition will feature 12 sports and around 1,000 athletes.

You can follow Campbell-Staines’ journey on YouTube or Facebook. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0aVxQw4gAw
A cyclist from Ecuador celebrates as he crosses the finish line

Get involved in the World Intellectual Impairment Sport re-brand – tell us what you think

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) is calling on athletes, members, volunteers and anyone with an interest in their work to take part in a survey about the World Intellectual Impairment Sport brand.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport is considering launching a new look in 2019 but needs feedback from its community to help inform the process.

The anonymous survey, which takes around four minutes to complete, is available in French, Spanish, Arabic, standard Chinese and English until 27 January 2019.

Take the survey in English.

Take the survey in Chinese.

Take the survey in Spanish.

Take the survey in French.

Take the survey in Arabic (Word document format only)

Marc Truffaut, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, said: “The brand that we currently have has been in use for a good few years now. As we grow and develop, managing an increasing number of athletes and events, we think it is time we review our look and feel to see if it meets our needs.

“A brand is not just the look, colours and logo of an organisation. It represents how people perceive us, our reputation and values and the level of respect we command from all our stakeholders.

“A strong brand presence will help World Intellectual Impairment Sport to fundraise and build credibility both within and outside the world or sport.

“It is important to have a physical brand that reflects the values of World Intellectual Impairment Sport, but the organisation must also live those values in its every day work. The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Governing Board is therefore inviting anyone with an interest in World Intellectual Impairment Sport or sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment to have their say.”

Once the two month survey is closed, World Intellectual Impairment Sport will carefully review all responses. A report and recommendations will then be submitted to the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Governing Board in February, who will decide if a re-brand is needed.

A Nordic skier with an intellectual impairment makes his way round the course

World Para Nordic Skiing and World Intellectual Impairment Sport partner to grow sport

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World Para Nordic Skiing and the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) will host an historic camp and competition for skiers with intellectual impairments in Bessans, France, from 9-14 December.

The aim of the event – which is the first of its kind – is to understand the sport with a view to creating a regular programme of competitions under World Para Nordic Skiing.

All athletes registered with World Intellectual Impairment Sport and with a World Para Nordic Skiing license can take part.

Marc Truffaut, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, said:

“We are thrilled to be working with World Para Nordic Skiing to grow the reach of winter Para sports and include different impairment groups. One of World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ key roles is to create a pathway for more athletes with intellectual impairments to compete at the highest levels.

“This project shows that we are meeting our target to be the world leader in this field and I would like to thank World Para Nordic Skiing for partnering with us.

“I encourage all athletes, members and National Paralympic Committees to join us at the start of this exciting journey.”

Dimitrije Lazarovski, Head of World Para Snow Sports, said:

“One of our main priorities is to create possibilities for more athletes and more impairment groups to be involved in the snow sports. This is a very important initiative and it will provide us with a better understanding of the next steps in the process.

“There still is a lot of work ahead but we are confident we are on the right path to bring in new athletes into Para Nordic skiing.”

A further two camps in Ostersund, Sweden, and Sapporo, Japan are planned for January and March 2019. In Bessans, the Chairperson of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Skiing Committee, Hideki Arai, will be the technical delegate.

As well as the introduction of the first competitions, Ostersund will allow researchers to continue data collection for the classification system for Nordic skiers with intellectual impairments.

This work is coordinated by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Classification and Development Centre at Leuven University in Belgium in partnership with University of Gaevle, Sweden.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport has been holding World Championships for Nordic skiers with intellectual impairments every year for more than 10 years as the current governing body.

The organisation is also in charge of eligibility, a process which athletes must go through to establish if they have an eligible impairment. They can then go through classification with the relevant International Federation.

 

Spain’s Villalba triumphs in Para equestrian video competition

Spain’s Villalba triumphs in Para equestrian video competition

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Spain’s Sonia Villalba has been revealed as the winner of the second International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Para Equestrian video competition.

Villalba overcame the winner of the very first competition in 2017, Russia’s Ekaterina Kirinkova, who this year finished sixth.

All three judges agreed that the Spaniard’s Grade IV Novice A test was the best of the 10 entries. They scored her a combined 71.149% on horse Donauzauber.

Australia’s Sui Watts was second with 64.943%, retaining her silver from last year, once again riding Springfield Festivity.

Russia’s Ekaterina Efimova (63.631%) just grabbed bronze on Gavana a few points ahead of Great Britain’s Oliver Peace (63.448%) on Bailey.

A total of 10 riders from five countries submitted videos for judging, designed to make the competition more accessible to athletes around the world. Horses were required to wear bandages to indicate that the test has not been performed and judged at another competition. Tests were assessed and scored by a panel of International Federation for Equestrian Sport (FEI) Para Equestrian judges.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian

Equestrian was added to the World Intellectual Impairment Sport sport programme in 2016 in the form of dressage. The organisation wants to offer the best riders with intellectual impairments the chance to compete regularly.

More information about the sport, including the rules and history, can be found at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian page.

A table tennis player is pictured mid shot

World Intellectual Impairment Sport targets increased knowledge and training in eligibility around globe

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The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has been awarded funding to hold training sessions on athlete eligibility in Asia and the Americas.

The successful bid was announced by the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), as part of its 2018 Grant Support Programme (GSP).

The target is to train at least 20 people in each region. World Intellectual Impairment Sport will also use some of the funding to cover the costs of delegates attending an IPC classifier training event being planned for January 2019.

The project’s aim is to improve the knowledge and understanding of the eligibility process for athletes with an intellectual impairment and to help increase the pool of classifiers. This will improve the sports classification process generally.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Executive Director, Nick Parr, said: “Athlete eligibility is the first step that any athlete must take before they can be classified by the relevant International Federation. It is a process that requires expertise and knowledge and is important for many reasons that those involved get it right.

“We have seen huge increases in the number of eligibility applications in the last two years. However at the same time we are experiencing incomplete or late documentation that is sometimes not completed correctly. This slows down the whole pathway for the athlete but is something that can be fixed over time through education.

“At the same time we want to support the International Federations with training more classifiers. This is so that once they receive their eligibility they can then go on to be officially classified as quickly as possible, either at World Intellectual Impairment Sport or other events.

“We are grateful to the Agitos Foundation for this funding which will allow us to educate more people about eligibility and also contribute to a larger number of classifiers. We believe it shows the value that we can add to the Paralympic movement, using our expertise to deliver training and build the quality of the system as a whole.”

World Intellectual Impairment Sport plans to hold one workshop in each region where at least 50 per cent of the participants will be female. The organisation has held a number of successful sessions all around the world in the past years leading to a better understanding of eligibility.

In its sixth edition, the GSP has made grants available for summer sports and winter sports projects which will have an impact on the growth and development of the Paralympic movement around the globe.

Almost half of all IPC members have benefitted from the GSP since the programme was launched in 2013.

The initiatives supported include areas such as athlete development, sport technical education, awareness campaigns and equipment purchase.

More information about eligibility can be found here.

An intellectually impaired runner

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic competition schedule revealed

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By IPC and World Intellectual Impairment Sport

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has published the sport competition schedule for the Paralympic Games on Friday (19 October) following its approval during the sixth International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Project Review.

In finalising the sport competition schedule, Tokyo 2020 took a holistic approach, taking into account the athletes’ experience and well-being, technical rules and regulations of the various international federations, gender balance, the popularity of individual sports in Japan, operational considerations, and the global TV audience.

Overall, events are scheduled so they are more accessible to families and a wide range of people. Ticket sales for the Tokyo 2020 Games will start in summer 2019 and there are plans for the updated schedule for all 540 Paralympic events to be published by then.

Athletics (T/F20), swimming (S14) and table tennis (class 11) will feature events for athletes with intellectual impairments.

The competition schedule can be viewed at Tokyo 2020’s website.

Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The publication of the Paralympic Games sport competition schedule is a key landmark for any Organising Committee and we are delighted that Tokyo 2020 has made it available with 22 months still to go.

“The Paralympic Games are an event that the whole family can enjoy, and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sport competition schedule has been designed with a family audience very much in mind.  The vast majority of sessions are finished by 22:00 each day which will enable different generations of families to attend and enjoy the terrific sporting action.

“With the sport competition schedule now published, the public can start to plan which sports they would like to attend ahead of tickets going on sale next summer.”

During the two-day Project Review, the IPC was updated on the latest progress made by the many functional areas of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee.  Overall, the IPC is happy with the progress made to-date but stressed that the good work must continue as the organising committee enters a new phase.

Gonzalez said: “With less than two years to go, the Organising Committee is now entering a critical phase.  Five years of planning now needs to be finalised and key decisions made ahead of the transition into the delivery phase which includes test events and the Games themselves.

“We continue to be impressed at the level of enthusiasm, commitment and work ethic of the Organising Committee towards the Paralympics.  As with any Games there are some issues which need more detailed planning and resolution but we are confident we are heading in the right direction.”

Transport and hotels

The two main issues the IPC raised with the Organising Committee following the project review are accessible transport and accessible hotel accommodation.

Currently there are some issues that could make it difficult to move a large number of athletes who use wheelchairs around the city using the Games-time transport.  This could pose a logistical problem with an estimated 1,800 wheelchair using athletes expected for the Games.

In terms of accessible accommodation, the IPC remains concerned that there will be an insufficient number of fully accessible hotel rooms ready for the Games.  It is however, encouraged by progress that is being made to try ease the situation although the full benefits may not be felt until after the Games.

Gonzalez said: “The Paralympic Games have a track record for driving social inclusion.  This is not only about changing attitudes and empowering people with a disability, but sometimes about highlighting issues that may need governments or businesses to adopt a different approach or take concrete actions.

“The transportation of athletes is integral to the success of any Paralympic Games.  Athletes and teams want to travel together. Unfortunately we believe there may be some issues in this area which could be extremely problematic not only for the days of sport, but also for the Ceremonies when large numbers of athletes need to be moved.

“On the issue of hotels, Tokyo and wider Japan lacks a suitable number of fully accessible hotel rooms that can be utilised by guests during the Paralympics and also post-Games, taking into account Japan’s aging population.

“The IPC, Tokyo 2020, national government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) have recognised this fact and are taking encouraging measures to try and address the situation.

“Central government has announced that from 1 September 2019 all newly built and refurbished hotels over 50 rooms must feature at least one per cent of fully accessible rooms.

“And, on Friday afternoon, Governor Yuriko Koike announced that TMG will amend an ordinance to establish barrier-free criteria that will apply to all general guest rooms for the first-time.

“Under the slogan “Open Stay Tokyo – better accommodation for all”, TMG will publish new criteria that will ensure all new and refurbished hotel facilities in this city are barrier-free.

“Furthermore, the national government and TMG are offering subsidies to hoteliers to start making existing rooms accessible.  The hoteliers really should take advantage of the support that is being offered to them.

“Although steps are being taken now, it is unlikely we will have a sufficient number of fully accessible rooms in time for the pre-Games training camps that some National Paralympic Committees will host in Japan or for the actual Games themselves.

“The organisation of the Paralympics in Tokyo has raised an important issue in this country that needs resolving.  The Games is acting as a catalyst to change and the full benefits will be felt post-Games making Tokyo and Japan more inclusive for all.”

 

Antonio Silva crosses the finish line in first place at the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics Half Marathon Championships

Silva, Meloch, take World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics half marathon crowns

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Brazil’s Antonio Silva and Poland’s Arleta Meloch were crowned the respective men’s and women’s International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Half Marathon world champions in Coimbra, Portugal, on Sunday (21 October).

Silva won the men’s race in 01:11:59 after weaving his way through the course, which took place as part of the Running Wonders circuit.

The Brazilian beat two Japanese runners to the top of the podium.

Shota Gomi (01:12:19) claimed silver just ahead of teammate Keiya Kobayashi (01:12:38).

In the women’s Meloch successfully defended her title and won her third consecutive gold in 01:25:48.

Meloch did so ahead of her rival and compatriot Anna Bodziony (01:37:04) who secured silver.

Brazil picked up another top three placing courtesy of bronze medallist Lindinalva Silva (01:40:18).

In the team events Japan’s double podium finish and a further trio of athletes finishing within the top 10 contributed to their win in the men’s.

Spain were second led by a fourth place from Asier Aguirre-Santos. Portugal grabbed third at home with Paulo Benvente, former world champion Paulo Pinheiro, Vitor Pleino and Joao Monteiro all registering strong performances.

Australia left with gold in the women’s on their World Championships debut. Georgia Powning, Chloe Turner and Montana Whiteley stepped shared the top step.

About the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics Half Marathon World Championships

Full results from the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics Half Marathon Championships are available at the results, rankings and records page.

The competition takes place every year. The Coimbra edition attracted more than 20 athletes from five countries as they build towards the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games. The Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments.