The Governing Board this week welcomed the NPC of Timor Leste to the Virtus family, the latest nation to join the Virtus Asia Region.
This brings Virtus total membership to 99 including 85 nations, 7 International Federations, 5 Regions and 2 National Federations.
The inaugural US Open National Swimming Championships concluded on a high note, setting the stage for future competitions with an exceptional display of talent and determination. Held November 7-10, 2024, in Orlando, FL at the Rosen Aquatic Center, this groundbreaking event brought together over 100 swimmers representing the USA and seven other countries, all competing with the aim of pushing boundaries, changing perceptions and breaking records. Swimmers competed in one of three classes: Intellectual Impairment (II1), Down Syndrome or Additional Significant Impairment (II2) or Autism (II3).
The championships were a resounding success, with more than sixty world and regional 25m pool records shattered over the course of the event. This remarkable achievement highlights not only the prowess of the athletes but also the growing inclusivity and recognition of swimmers with Autism, Down syndrome, and Intellectual Disabilities in high level sports. The event was result of a collaboration between two leading high performance sport organizations in the US: Athletes Without Limits (AWL) and USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS).
The non-profits champion inclusion and provide opportunities and supports necessary for athletes to maximize their potential. “We couldn’t be more proud of the swimmers from across the US and the globe who competed at such a high level. And we
are proud of the partnership between USADSS and Athletes Without Limits that made this championship possible,” said Barry Holman, President of Athletes Without Limits.
The USADSS AWL Championships is committed to creating a platform that champions inclusivity and excellence. By providing athletes with opportunities to compete against their peers at a national and international level, the event empowers swimmers with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential. “We want to show the world what we see every day – that these are highly competitive swimmers who happen to have a disability. They are swimmers who train hard everyday to be their best and deserve the respect, resources and recognition other high performance athletes get,” said Judy Jurries, President of USA Down Syndrome Swimming.
Pedro Vivas, Colombia’s Coach found that, “Beyond the records broken, what stood out most was the chance to push the limits of what’s possible in a new discipline, which, while novel for many, has proven to be a window for growth and achievement for everyone involved. The enthusiasm was palpable throughout. Colombia’s swimmers, excited by the opportunity to compete internationally and face athletes from other countries, embraced this experience as an invaluable challenge.”
Swimmers hailed from around the globe, including Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, Portugal, Japan, Kazakhstan and Puerto Rico, bringing a truly international flair to the US National Championships. The event fostered a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship, as participants and spectators celebrated each swimmer’s achievements gained through fierce competition. Sanctioned by two international federations (Virtus and DSISO), the swimmer’s achievements in the Rosen 25 meter pool will appear in each federation’s official records. Vincente Pereira (Portugal) topped the record tables with 7 new world marks in the II2 class. USA’s Piper Sadowski (II1) earned 6 records, USA’s Melanie Huang (II3) earned 5 and USA’s Joey Jurries (II2) earned 2.
Full meet results can be found here.
The International Paralympic Committee are currently offering several new positions with a focus on the implementation and compliance with the 2025 Classification Code.
For full details please visit the IPC website.
From paralympic.org
The International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council’s first meeting at the new IPC headquarters was recently held in Bonn, Germany. This was also the inaugural session of the new Council, made up of members representing summer Games who were elected at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
During the three-day meeting, held from 18 to 20 November, new members learned about the governance structure of the IPC, classification and anti-doping, among other subjects. The new council elected a new Chairperson and second Vice-Chairperson and set their priorities for the next four years.
The meeting was also an opportunity for the IPC to inform members about their roles and responsibilities. As an athlete centred and membership focused organisation, the IPC Athletes’ Council plays an important role in communicating the needs and concerns of Para athletes to the IPC Governing Board. The Council Chairperson and first Vice-Chairperson also serves as ex officio members of the IPC Governing Board with voting rights.
The IPC Athletes’ Council is the collective voice of Paralympic athletes within the IPC and the greater Paralympic Movement. It serves as an advisory body to the IPC Governing Board, carrying out tasks specifically delegated by the Board.
The Council also took a tour of the new headquarters which boasts an array of accessible and inclusive features. This includes fully accessible workstations, accessible bathrooms, automatic doors for ease of access, and tactile paving for those with a vision impairment.
Lenine Cunha said: “Attending my first IPC Athletes’ Council meetings in Bonn was an amazing experience. The council members were so welcoming and come from really diverse backgrounds which made me feel comfortable even though I was a bit nervous at first.
“Everything became very real the first moment I entered the office, that I am here to make sure all athletes have a voice and to ensure athletes with an intellectual impairment are equally represented. It was great to see how much we could connect as a team. I think the other members can see that I take my role seriously, but I can also be funny and share my personal experiences in discussions.
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead, and I’m ready for it. Four years is only a short time and I want to do everything I can to make sure my time with the IPC Athletes’ Council will create more opportunities and inclusion for everyone in the Paralympic Movement.”
Martina Caironi said: “I really enjoyed our first AC meeting in Bonn, in the new headquarters. All the new members brought a fresh energy to the group and I’m also happy about the election results. Congratulations to Vlada and Yoomin. I’m excited to work with the new team for the next four years and help the athletes’ community to grow. It is right to say that ‘Change Start With Sport’.”
IPC President Andrew Parsons also spoke with the Council members through a video call.
The IPC Athletes’ Council is made up of nine athletes in total, which includes six summer athletes and three winter athletes.
The six summer sport members are: Martina Caironi (Italy, Para athletics), Lenine Cunha (Portugal, Para athletics), Vladyslava Kravchenko (Malta, Para swimming), Denise Schindler (Germany, Para cycling), Yujiao Tan (China, Para powerlifting) and Yoomin Won (Korea, wheelchair basketball).
The three winter sport council members are Josh Dueck (Canada, Para alpine skiing), Mitchell Gourley (Australia, Para alpine skiing) and Birgit Skarstein (Norway, Para nordic skiing).
In addition to the nine elected members, the IPC Athletes’ Council can appoint up to five additional members on two-year terms, to ensure there is balance between gender, regions, sports and disability groups. Presently this includes Grigorios Polychronidis (Greece, boccia).
For the first time, the Council also includes an athlete with an intellectual impairment represented by Lenine Cunha (Portugal, Para athletics).
Virtus is thrilled to bring athletes worldwide two engaging online events to close out the year and kick off the next! Join us for the Virtus Online ‘Festive’ Cycling Challenge in December and the Virtus World Indoor Rowing Video Competition in February, where athletes will have the chance to compete, connect, and celebrate the spirit of sport from anywhere!
Get ready to ride! The Virtus Online Cycling Challenge runs from 1st to 31st December, giving athletes a whole month to test their endurance and skill. To participate, athletes must:
For more details, visit the Virtus calendar.
In February, rowers can show off their speed in our 1000m Rowing Competition, happening from 1st to 28th February 2025. To compete, athletes must:
The information pack for the competition will be available soon on the Virtus calendar.
Athletes in the following groups are encouraged to join:
Participation is free, but each athlete must hold an ‘Active’ Virtus competition license, which can be renewed via a Virtus Member Organisation. As these competitions are remote, we are relying on athletes competing with integrity and sportsmanship.
Both the online events are backed by the IDEAL 2.0 project and Erasmus+ European Union.
We are thrilled to announce that Virtus Sport has officially become a member of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO). This is a significant milestone for the Virtus family and our efforts to promote and support athletes with an intellectual impairment.
APSO is a collective of International Federations and organisations governing sports in the Paralympic programme. By joining, Virtus gains access to a powerful network of like-minded organisations committed to elevating the Paralympic movement and advocating for the rights and opportunities of athletes.
“We are delighted to join APSO. We aim to work together to enhance visibility within the Paralympic community, receiving the recognition they deserve for their incredible talents and achievements”, said Marc Truffaut, Virtus President.
“As a member of APSO, we will have a stronger voice in advocating for the interests of our athletes and ensuring they receive the opportunities and support they need to excel,” he further added.
Excited with the collaboration, APSO President, Sabrina Ibáñez said,
“We’re pleased to welcome Virtus as an APSO member. As a founding IPC partner and key Paralympic stakeholder, Virtus brings invaluable expertise to support International Federations in engaging athletes with intellectual impairments. With Virtus on board, our collective voice grows even stronger.”
Currently, APSO has twenty International Federations in membership. Virtus joins as an Affiliate member.
Virtus is excited to announce that the second edition of the Virtus Asia-Oceania Games will take place in Bangkok, Thailand from November 20 to November 30, 2026. Hosted by the Sports Association for Intellectual Disability of Thailand, this major event will bring together top athletes with intellectual disabilities from across Asia and Oceania, showcasing their incredible skills, sportsmanship, and unity.
The Games will be supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Thailand National Paralympic Committee, national sports federations and other key organizations. This prestigious event aims to provide a high-level competition for athlete with an intellectual impairment in classes II1, II2, and II3, and members of VIRTUS. Athletes will compete in various disciplines, such as athletics, swimming, table tennis, basketball, cycling, taekwondo, indoor rowing, tennis, and futsal.
“We want to congratulate SAIT for winning the bid to host the next edition of the 2026 Virtus Asia-Oceania Games. There are a lot of potential athletes with intellectual impairment in the Asian region and Virtus wants to tap into that potential and support them by all means possible to reach their full sporting excellence”, said Virtus President, Marc Truffaut.
SAIT has a rich history of hosting major events, including the 2016 Indoor Para Archery, World Cup, the 2016 IPC Shooting World Cup, the 2016 INAS Swimming Championships, Asia, and the 2017 INAS Athletics Championships. The competition will have support from the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Swimming Association of Thailand. SAIT aspires to build and strengthen long-term partnerships with sponsors, ensuring continued support for the community of people with intellectual impairment.
Talking about SAIT’s vision of the event, Paul Charnvit, President of SAIT said,
“The event will highlight the potential of athletes with an intellectual impairment to compete at high levels, while offering the people of Thailand a unique opportunity to witness their exceptional abilities. It will also foster relationships and unity among Virtus member countries in Asia and Oceania.”
“A key legacy of the Games will be the development of new sports for athletes with intellectual impairment in Thailand, building long-term partnerships with sponsors and communities to ensure continued support and future opportunities,” he further added.
The 2026 Virtus Asia-Oceania Games will be a celebration of excellence and inclusion, leaving a lasting impact on sport in Thailand and the wider region.
Join us in Bangkok for ten days of incredible athletic achievements, inspiration, and unity at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championship!
More information and an application pack will be available on the Virtus website soon.
Bangkok, the capital and most populous city of Thailand, boasts an estimated population of 10.5 million. Historically known as “The Venice of the East” Bangkok’s origins trace back to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century. The city played a crucial role in Thailand’s modernization during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, Bangkok is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that significantly influences Thailand’s politics, economy, education, media, and modern society.
Virtus is thrilled to reveal the host cities for the 2025 Virtus World Championships in Swimming, Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, and Table Tennis. These premier global events will see top athletes with intellectual impairments competing at world-class venues across four vibrant cities.
Skier performs at the Super G at the Virtus World Skiing Championships 2023 in Seefeld, Austria. Photo Credit: OBSV
The 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championship will be hosted by Virtus France, Fédération Française du Sport Adapté (FFSA) in Bessans, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The event will commence from 8 March until 14 March.
Since 2016, FFSA has organized more than 10 Virtus European and World Championships, including the 2023 Virtus Global Games and Virtus expects nothing less than another spectacular event.
Located at an altitude of 1750 m, Bessans is a traditional village, typical of Haute Maurienne, bordering the Vanoise National Park and Italy. This authentic, family-friendly village is steeped in tradition and boasts a rich cultural heritage. Situated on a vast, sun-drenched plateau, snow-covered from November to April, Bessans, a village surrounded by glaciers and peaks over 3,000 metres, has become one of the undisputed references for cross-country skiing and biathlon, both in France and internationally.
Japanese Skier competing in the Alpine skiing competition at Virtus World Skiing Championships 2023 in Seefeld. Photo Credit: OBSV
Virtus is going to organize the Alpine and Nordic Skiing competitions separately from this year. The first edition of Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championship is making its way to the French Alps, hosted by the Fédération Française du Sport Adapté (FFSA), the competition will push off from 30 March -5 April in Tignes, France.
Tignes, France, is a high-altitude alpine resort known for year-round adventure and stunning scenery. Part of the expansive Espace Killy ski area shared with Val d’Isère, Tignes offers a variety of slopes, snow parks, and off-piste trails in winter. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, modern amenities, and commitment to sustainability, Tignes attracts thousands of athletes and adventure-seekers from around the world every year.
Alexander Hillhouse in action at GG2023. Photo Credit: T.Nguyen
From 20 to 30 August 2025, Bangkok will welcome the Virtus World Swimming Championship for the first time in Thailand. The Assumption University Aquatic Center will host the event, organized by the Sports Association for the Intellectual Disability of Thailand (SAIT).
This is the first time Virtus is bringing the World Swimming Championships to Thailand, following the successful INAS Asian Swimming Championship in 2016, the Indoor Para Archery World Cup, the 2016 World Shooting World Cup, the 2016 INAS Swimming Championships Asia and the 2017 INAS Athletics Championships. This event will be backed by the Paralympic Committee of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Virtus Ambassador, Rahma Khalid with her teammate from Egypt at Virtus Global Games 2023. Photo Credit: Luc Percival
Set against the iconic backdrop of the pyramids, the Virtus World Table Tennis Championship will take place in Giza, Egypt from 1 to 8 November 2025. The event will be organized by the Virtus member in Egypt – the Egyptian Sports Federation for Intellectual Disabilities (ESFID).
Backed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation, and the Egyptian Paralympic Committee, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.
The upcoming Virtus World Championships in Bangkok, Bassan, Giza and Tignes aims to deliver a world-class competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities across classes II1, II2, and II3. The countries are set to use this unique opportunity to raise awareness about the capabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities and inspire future generations to excel in sports, highlighting their participation in both competitive and recreational sports. The championship will serve as a platform to strengthen friendships and unity among Virtus member nations, fostering a global network of support and camaraderie.
More information about the events will be available soon on the Virtus events calendar.
We are thrilled to announce that John Pearce has joined Virtus as our new Sport & Competition Manager.
John is a former Team GB Olympian, having represented Great Britain in Handball at the London 2012 Olympics. With over 15 years of experience in the sports and events industry, John has played professionally in Denmark and Norway and has built a strong career within the UK sports sector.
His expertise spans across event management, strategic planning, and workforce development, both nationally and internationally. John has successfully overseen major events such as European Championship qualifiers, and has led youth teams in World and European competitions. He also brings a wealth of experience in managing volunteers and staff for a variety of events, from Cup Finals to National School Competitions. In addition to his extensive event management experience, John has coordinated marketing campaigns for National Governing Bodies and continues to coach in the local community at school and club level.
John will oversee the sport and competition program while strategically expanding our organizational reach and influence, including establishing new partnerships, increasing participation, and implementing innovative initiatives by collaborating with our staff team, membership, voluntary team, and various partners in sport. His passion for fitness, combined with his vibrant, positive attitude, makes him a valuable addition to the Virtus team.
We look forward to the energy and expertise John will bring to our organization as we continue to grow and develop the Virtus’ sport and competition program.
The 2024 World Para Swimming Open Water World Cup unfolded in the stunning blue waters of La Cinta Bay in San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy, on September 21st. This picturesque Mediterranean setting provided the perfect backdrop for eight exceptional S14 international athletes—four men and four women—who competed in a world-class field fresh from the excitement of Paris.
Among the star athletes were Canada’s Nicholas Bennett, Finland’s Nader Khalilli, Italy’s Kevin Casali and Marina Pettinella, Great Britain’s Jessica-Jane Applegate and Siena Oxley, Spain’s Alejandro Meneses Medero, and Sweden’s two-time champion, Pernilla Lindberg. The day before the race, the athletes enjoyed training in the Mediterranean, marvelling at rays and fish swimming beneath them—a welcome distraction from the typical pool lane markings. For some, it was their first time competing in the sea; for others, it was a continuation of their journey in open water events.
Pernilla, known for her prowess in open water events, came into the competition fresh off her 2023 title win, and once again proved her dominance in this gruelling discipline. With a smile that radiated her joy for the sport, Pernilla retained her title, finishing first in the female S14 category. This achievement marks yet another milestone in her impressive career as she continues to excel in long-distance swimming.
Winners of Men’s S11-S14 Open water swimming (L) and Nicholas Bennett after finishing the race (R). Photo Credit: Dave Harmen and World Para Swimming
In both the male and female S11-S14 category, the podium was dominated by S14 swimmers. Nicholas Bennett of Canada took the top spot, followed by Nader Khalili of Finland and Kevin Casali of Italy. In the female category, Pernilla Lindberg claimed first place, with Jessica-Jane Applegate from Great Britain coming in second and fellow Brit Siena Oxley securing third. The athletes swam a challenging 3 km distance, completing two laps of a 600-meter course under perfect conditions, with clear blue skies and crystal-clear water.
When asked how she felt after winning her second consecutive World Open Water Championship, Pernilla was radiant,
“It feels great! It’s always nice to swim open water, because long distances are what I’m really good at, and that’s what I’m going to focus more on.”
Jessica-Jane, Pernilla and Siena on the podium of the S11-S14 open water race. Photo Credit: Dave Harmen
Pernilla’s preparations for both Paris 2024 and the Open Water competition in Sardinia were impressive. Although the two events were close in timing, she expressed confidence in handling both, particularly as a distance swimmer.
“It wasn’t really that hard since I am a distance swimmer. I also had the Swedish Nationals in Open Water two weeks before Paris and became the Swedish Champion for the second time in two years for non-disability,” she said. However, she noted that Paris required more attention to detail, and things didn’t go exactly as she had hoped.
When asked about her competitors, Pernilla acknowledged the initial challenge posed by Jessica-Jane Applegate but explained that she managed to increase the distance between them after 800 meters, finishing comfortably ahead. Her experience from last year’s competition undoubtedly gave her an advantage.
“All Open Water competitions give me new experiences, but of course, it was an advantage to have swum here in San Teodoro before.”
The conditions in Sardinia this year were favourable, with calm waters making for a smoother race. Pernilla also enjoyed the natural beauty of the bay, spotting stingrays as she swam. “The water here in Sardinia is very clear and beautiful,” she remarked, adding that she extended her stay for a short vacation, where she had the chance to snorkel in the same pristine waters.
Pernilla Lindberg’s back-to-back victories at the World Para Swimming Open Water World Cup are a testament to her dedication and skill in the sport. As she continues to focus on long-distance events, Pernilla is setting an inspiring example for athletes everywhere. She expressed her hopes for the future of open water events in Para swimming, “I hope World Para Swimming will go further with this kind of competition, and I hope very much it can become a championship soon.”
Full results are available here.
Virtus is the brand name of the International Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment and is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the UK (1173901)
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