A swimmer with an intellectual impairment

Classification in swimming, athletics, table tennis confirmed for Global Games

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has confirmed that classification for the Paralympic sports of athletics, swimming and table tennis will be available at the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

In the past classification has proved to be a huge draw for countries looking to bring in new athletes ahead of the Paralympic Games. Brisbane 2019 will take place just 10 months before Tokyo 2020 and is also part of qualification for the next Paralympics in each of the sports.

The Global Games themselves are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments. Over the years many athletes have made their international debut at the event and gone on to win medals at the at the Paralympic Games.

Classification in Brisbane will be managed by the International Federations.

World Para Athletics and World Para Swimming will offer a limited number of classification slots. World Intellectual Impairment Sport Members are required to liaise with their National Paralympic Committee on the athletes they wish to be classified.

If the number of athletes exceeds the number of slots then countries will be asked to prioritise, with an equal percentage of places allocated to each.

To be eligible for classification, athletes must appear on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport International Eligibility Master List, be registered on the World Para Athletics or World Para Swimming Sport Data Management System (SDMS) and hold a valid license for the 2019 season.

For table tennis, classification will be managed by the International Table Tennis Federation. Players must also appear on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport International Eligibility Master List and register for classification no later than one month before the competition.

A consent form must be completed and uploaded with the registration. An original copy must also be produced at the classification appointment.

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

As well as classification, athletics, swimming and table tennis competitions are also sanctioned by the relevant International Federation and results will go towards qualification for Tokyo 2020.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport searches for Championships hosts

World Intellectual Impairment Sport appoints Blue Strawberry Elephant to lead rebrand

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has appointed British branding agency Blue Strawberry Elephant to lead its rebrand which will be launched in late 2019.

The project is the biggest of its kind ever undertaken by World Intellectual Impairment Sport as it looks to create a clear, bold name and image to represent its diverse work around the world.

The organisation wants to make a clean break between its current brand whilst expanding on its presence and ethos as the world’s biggest high performance sports organisation for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Nick Parr, World Intellectual Impairment Sport Executive Director, said: “We are really excited to be working with the team at Blue Strawberry Elephant on a striking new brand which will take us into the future, help us to attract partners and ensure we are recognised as a global leader in our field.

“The survey we conducted in late 2018 attracted around 200 responses from athletes, members, and the public, most of whom told us we needed to make changes to help ensure our unique position is protected long into the future. This includes our move in recent years to include impairments such as autism and Down syndrome, filling a gap in high performance sport for these athletes.

“We therefore chose Blue Strawberry Elephant because of their experience working with other sport organisations and their belief in the transformative power of our work.”

The new brand is tentatively expected to be launched at the closing ceremony of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, on 19 October. It will then be rolled out across the World Intellectual Impairment Sport membership over the following 12 months.

Parr continued: “We are counting on our members to help us introduce it to the world and continue to be our brand ambassadors on a national level.

“I would like to thank the other agencies for their impressive and insightful pitches – it was not an easy choice.”

Dave Atkin, Blue Strawberry Elephant’s Managing Director, said: “Being asked to design and develop a new name and brand identity for World Intellectual Impairment Sport is a great honour; also extremely humbling, given the quality of the American and Australian colleagues who competed for the project.

“We are really looking forward to collaborating on delivering the new identity in time for the Global Games.”

Blue Strawberry Elephant are a fully independent graphic design studio and brand consultancy; working with clients across most areas from sports and health services through to industrial, commercial and engineering sectors.

The agency and World Intellectual Impairment Sport will work to launch the new brand at the Global Games – the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Featuring over 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports, the edition in Brisbane is expected to be the best yet.

As well as acting as the World Championships for most of the non-Paralympic sports on the programme, Brisbane 2019 offers athletes the chance to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in athletics, swimming and table tennis.

In addition, athletes competing in new and trial eligibility groups (II2 – for athletes with a more significant impairment and II3 – for athletes with high functioning autism) have been added for the first time as World Intellectual Impairment Sport grows its reach around the world.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport has more than 80 national members and is the International Federation for a variety of summer and winter sports, organising world and regional Championships every year. The organisation also manages the eligibility process for athletics, swimming and table tennis – a requirement of classification in those sports.

Saudi Arabia are presented with their 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Football World Championships trophy

World Intellectual Impairment Sport launch search for Governing Board member

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The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has launched a search for a trustee with a flare for corporate partnerships to give strategic direction to its fundraising and income generation activities.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport has enlisted the support of Trustees Unlimited, a specialist recruitment organisation for the not-for-profit sector.

The person will work with the Executive Director to take a strategic approach to identifying new corporate partnerships. Nick Parr, World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Executive Director, said: “The increasing profile of para-sport means that this is an exciting time to be involved in our work and big opportunities are clearly out there.

“The potential is massive but like other small charities, even though we are an international organisation, we need a helping hand to capitalise on it.

“Whoever fills this position has the chance to make a real difference to the lives of 100,000s of people around the world.”

World Intellectual Impairment Sport is a member of the International Paralympic Committee. It is formed of more than 80 member organisations who manage sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment nationally. The World Intellectual Impairment Sport programme features 14 sports, three of which – swimming, athletics and table tennis – are in the Paralympic Games. World Intellectual Impairment Sport manages part of the pathway for elite athletes in all its sports, as well as World Championships and other competitions, promoting social inclusion along the way.

More information about the position can be found here.

Aurelie Minodier leads the pack

Global Games make France’s Minodier ‘dream’

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By Giuseppe Napoli | For World Intellectual Impairment Sport

French cyclist Aurelie Minodier is looking ahead to the October’s International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games with visions of victory as she tries to regain her road race world title.

The Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment and will double-up as the World Championships for road cycling. The 2019 edition will take place in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

Minodier, who won gold in both the time trial and road race in Racice three years ago, followed that up with two silvers in Assen, the Netherlands in 2017, and Paris, France, in 2018.

The French Federation for Adapted Sport (FFSA) has increased investment in her sport, including new training facilities, which has helped make Minodier into one of her country’s best medal hopes.

The French cyclist is currently preparing for Brisbane 2019 with a clear goal in mind: “I want to be champion both in team trial and road race. This competition is wonderful, it really makes us dream.”

The road to Brisbane for Minodier will involve hours of training according to a specific regime created by her coaches: “It will be a tough programme. I am training three times a week and I have a training camp with the French federation every two months. “

The Global Games will be an excellent opportunity for the French cyclist to assess her progress and build on the good results of the last few seasons.

“My world champion’s title at Racice [Czech Republic] in 2016 made me really proud,” Minodier said. “I thought about my family, my boyfriend and all the people I know who supported me. I was really satisfied with the outcome of the last two World Championships as well. In Paris, however, I was more concentrated than in Assen and I had trained better.”

The Global Games are also an opportunity to gather the global athlete community together and it is this which Minodier is excited about: “The best part of these competitions is meeting new people, other athletes and supporters, it is something I really like. It is always funny to gather together in our sport community. We have a strong connection and we try always to communicate between us, despite the linguistic barrier.”

Putting the social aspect aside, Minoder is laser-focused on her goals and says that she never finds it hard to fire herself up:

“The hardest part of my sport is to keep the focus. Sometimes I feel stressed and anxious and it is difficult for me to manage it. Nevertheless, if I stay focused on my goals and I follow my trainer’s instructions, I keep the level of motivation high.

“I just need to pedal, and the motivation switches on. It is as easy as it comes.”

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games will feature more than 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports – athletics, swimming, table tennis, Para taekwondo, basketball, cycling, futsal, rowing, cricket and hockey.

2020 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis World Championships heading to Belgium

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has announced that the 2020 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis World Championships will take place in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, from 20-25 July.

The competition is expected to attract more than 30 athletes from 10 countries who will compete at the Tennis Club Wimbledon.

Players will go for world titles less than one year after the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

Lesley Whitehead, World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis Director, said: “Belgium have competed in World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis competitions for several years and it is fantastic that they will be the host of the next World Championships.”

“The standard of play is improving year on year as players continue to strive to improve. I look forward to working with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and hope to welcome a large representation of players and coaches from nations across the world.”

The competition is being organised by Tennis Vlaanderen with the support of the Belgian Paralympic Committee.

Olek Kazimirowski, Belgian Paralympic Committee Managing Director, said: “As the Belgian Paralympic Committee we are very proud to welcome and support the organisation of this international competition in Belgium. The LOC has all the necessary knowledge and experience to set up a high-quality event and will strive to host all participating nations the best way possible.”

The Tennis Club Wimbledon has six outdoor clay courts and six indoor courts as well as a club house. Sint-Truiden dates from the 7th century and is famous for its Town Hall, which has a 17th century tower classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The 2020 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis World Championships will follow the Brisbane 2019 Global Games, the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Around 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in 10 sports between 12-19 October.

Depending on the outcome of competition in Brisbane, two eligibility groups will be contested in Sint-Truiden. The II1 group contains athletes with intellectual impairments. II2 is for athletes with a more significant impairment, such as Down syndrome.

The USA's Jonathan Pierce acknowledges the crowds

International Sport Summit to be held alongside World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games

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The organisers of the 2019 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games have announced that an International Sport Summit will be held in Brisbane, Australia, from 10-11 October 2019, to coincide with the multisport event.

The World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games are the world’s biggest high performance sports event for athletes with intellectual impairments. Around 1,000 competitors are expected to take part in 10 sports between 12-19 October.

The International Sport Summit – the first of its kind – will have the theme of ‘Inclusion – What Matters in the Future’.

Its aim is to gather the World Intellectual Impairment Sport family and leading figureheads to discuss and debate how athletes with intellectual impairments can have better access to sports at both the grass-roots and high performance levels.

Several key note speakers have confirmed their attendance including Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). After opening the summit on 10 October, Parsons will also attend the Opening Ceremony of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games on 12 October.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President said: “I am greatly looking forward to attending the International Sport Summit and seeing the action at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games.

“Attending the summit will provide me an opportunity to showcase the work the IPC is undertaking to drive social inclusion through Para sport and our new strategic plan which will be published later this year.  It will also be a chance to learn more about the work of World Intellectual Impairment Sport and see some excellent sport once the Games begin.”

Global Games Sports Company Chief Executive Officer, Robyn Smith, who is also the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Vice President, said: “To have the President of the International Paralympic Committee support our event is so important to our movement. It is confirmation of the IPC and World Intellectual Impairment Sport relationship and Andrew’s commitment to the entire Paralympic family.”

Other keynote speakers include Andrew Frost, Professor Jennifer Mactavish, Kate Palmer and Lynne Anderson.

Frost is the Founder of Frost Included and is a globally recognised diversity, inclusion and leadership expert. From 2007-2012 he was the Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the Organising Committee of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and has also worked at KPMG as Head of Diversity and Inclusion.

Professor Jennifer Mactavish is the Dean of the Yeates School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson University, Canada. For the last 20 years, Professor Mactavish has been an expert in the field of persons and athletes with an intellectual impairment and spent 15 years leading the research to get athletes with an intellectual impairment re-introduced to the Paralympic programme at London 2012.

Palmer became the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Commission in 2017. Prior to this, she spent ten years as Chief Executive Officer of Netball Australia. During this time, netball grew to be among the largest participation sports in Australia.

Anderson was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics Australia in 2015. Since then Anderson, with an exceptional background in sports marketing, spearheaded the re-brand of the Australian Paralympic Committee to Paralympics Australia in 2019. In addition, Anderson helped secure an additional AUD 12 million of funding from the federal government for the national team’s preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The International Sport Summit will be held at the Suncorp Stadium. The full programme will be published on 1 July.

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games will showcase the highest ever number of sports either sanctioned or recognised by the relevant International Federation. Athletics, table tennis and swimming also form part of the qualification process for Tokyo 2020.

 

Luke Turnbull is pictured as he is about to hit the ball with his tennis racket

Turnbull prepares for potential Global Games debut

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By Mariam Khan | For Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Great Britain’s world and European medallist Luke Turnbull is relishing the chance to take on the world’s top ranked tennis players when he makes his Global Games debut in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October.

Turnbull, who lives in Scotland, has big plans to build on his successes from 2018 when he won bronze in the men’s doubles with Thomas Mellor at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tennis World Championships in Paris, France.

When asked what his objectives for Brisbane 2019 are, Turnbull said: “To be selected, win a medal and improve my world ranking.”

As he looks towards his chance in the singles, Turnbull thinks he will face a tough fight.

“The top four opponents can be challenging to play against,” he said referring to, amongst others, Australia’s world No.1 Archie Graham.

Turnbull is playing in as many competitions as he can between now and October to be at his best in Brisbane.

He began playing tennis at the age of three after his mother introduced him to the sport. He used to sit at the side of the court in a baby chair watching her play.

Having moved to North Berwick in Scotland recently, he is also making waves on the local tennis scene. He plays for the North Berwick Men’s first team and for Edinburgh’s St. Serf’s under 16 and under 18 junior teams. As an under 14 player, Turnbull ranked was ranked No. 4 in Scotland.

Luke Turnbull is pictured with Andy Murray

Turnbull’s hero is Andy Murray who he met right before competing in Paris, in Roehampton, Great Britain. For him, how the game makes him feel is what he enjoys the most:

“It gives me purpose and confidence, and makes me feel good.”

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

The 2019 edition runs from 12-19 October and is expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports. The event will act as the World Championships for tennis.

Nikesha Harding leans o the side of the pool and smiles at the camera

Australia’s Harding hopes for home success at Global Games

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By Alison Thompson | For Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Swimmer Nikesha Harding has spoken of her determination to help Australia maintain their place at the top of the medals table when the 2019 Global Games come to Brisbane from 12-19 October.

In five short months the city will welcome over 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports. With Australia being top of the medals table at the 2015 edition in Ecuador, and top of the all-time table, all eyes will be on the home nation.

For Harding, the Global Games are extra special this time around: “It’s fantastic to be part of any Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport national team no matter what sport. It’s the team that makes the event so special, and I’m confident Australia will win this Global Games at home.

“It’s so very special to have the Games in Brisbane and to be able to represent my country at home. To have fellow Australians, and especially my proud family see me swim, will be amazing.”

Harding’s goal is crystal clear. “My personal ambition is to help Australia become the champions and to become a champion in front of my home crowd”.

The New South Wales swimmer comes to the games with formidable experience and success in the pool, including being a medal winner at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

“Winning at the Championships felt awesome,” Harding said. “It was the best feeling imaginable, like all the hard training had paid off. I felt so very proud.”

At just 20 years old, Harding is one of Australia’s brightest stars. She is currently the world No.1 in the Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport rankings for the 200m butterfly II1 and 5th in the 100m in the same stroke.

“Having these rankings makes me feel proud and special and I like that my achievements are recognised,” Harding said.

But now, like the rest of her teammates, the young Australian is focused on October’s Global Games with regular training and continuing to improve her results:

“I swam great personal bests at the recent national championships. I love my new club and my new coach and together we are making further improvements.”

Harding is set to compete in her usual mix of strokes at Brisbane 2019, but despite her strength and success, she is fully aware of what she, and the team, has to do to achieve the success they want.

“Brazil and China are both very strong teams but for me personally, my biggest opponent in butterfly will be Leslie Cichocki from the USA.”

Cichocki currently sits just one place behind Harding in the 100m butterfly rankings and two places behind in the 200m. Both athletes will compete at the Global Games with one eye on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

But with all the hard work comes the importance of relaxation and downtime to recharge and refocus. “I love to see my friends every day and we see each other outside the pool and do fun things.

“Swimming helps clear my mind and improves my self-confidence and yes, sometimes it’s hard when I don’t achieve the times I would like to. But when I do swim well, it is all worth it.”

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

The 2019 edition runs from 12-19 October and is expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes competing in 10 sports.

 

Daniel Martins points to the crowd as he celebrates winning

Martins named Americas Athlete of the Month

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Daniel Martins has been chosen as Americas ‘Athlete of the Month’ for April by the International Paralympic Committee after receiving 49 per cent of a public vote.

The Brazilian runner rounded off action at the Sao Paulo World Para Athletics Grand Prix smashing his own men’s 400m T20 world record, showing great form ahead of this year’s Parapan American Games and World Championships.

Since making his international debut at the 2015 International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games in Ecuador, Martins has gone on to conquer the world. In 2016 he won gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and in 2017 he claimed his first world title.

Despite receiving massive support from Argentina, swimmer Daniela Gimenez had to settle for the second place this time with 39 per cent of the votes.

Colombian shooting Para sport athlete Maria Teresa Restrepo, Chilean powerlifter Marion Serrano and US wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk were also nominated.

The nominations were compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from across the continent and covered all impairments.

The 2019 Americas Athlete of the Month winners are:

  • January – Johanna Sossa and Johana Martinez, Colombia, wheelchair tennis
  • February – Rebeca Valenzuela Alvarez, Mexico, athletics
  • March – Matias Pino, Chile, table tennis
  • April – Daniel Martins, Brazil, athletics

 

World Sailing to grow the sport with in partnership with World Intellectual Impairment Sport

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World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, has partnered with the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) to jointly promote and grow sailing for people with intellectual impairments globally.

World Sailing and World Intellectual Impairment Sport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see both organisations work together towards the development and implementation of strategies and sailing programmes for people with intellectual impairments. Furthermore, World Sailing and World Intellectual Impairment Sport will work to promote awareness and integration within their member organisations.

World Sailing President, Kim Andersen, said, “Sailing is an inclusive sport that is available for all to compete on a level playing field. It is a sport for all and World Sailing is fully committed to growing the sport across multiple disciplines.

“We are delighted to establish a long-term partnership with World Intellectual Impairment Sport and we will work closely with them to ensure a sustainable future for sailors with intellectual impairments.”

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut, said: “We are excited to welcome World Sailing into the World Intellectual Impairment Sport family, adding another International Federation to our growing list of partners.

“We are committed to growing sailing for athletes with intellectual impairments and know that together, we can offer more high level competition opportunities and make a huge impact around the world.”

World Sailing will implement a new intellectual impairment discipline into its future Championships at a World, Regional and National level and as a result, World Intellectual Impairment Sport agrees to automatically sanction World Sailing-approved events.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport and World Sailing will also work together to deliver clinics and seminars for both coaches and officials each year.

As part of the agreement, World Sailing becomes a member of World Intellectual Impairment Sport and will hold a seat on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sport Council.