Udine prepares for half marathon Euros

/in /by
Three distance Italian distance runners< Alex Holtz, Fabrizio Vallone and Alessandro Tomaiuolo

Credit: Emanuele Antonio Minerva, Mauro Ficerai

The picturesque Italian city of Udine will host the first International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) European Half Marathon Championships since 2011 on Sunday (17 September).

Being held as part of the 18th edition of the prestigious Maratonina Udinese, runners from Italy, Portugal, Spain, Poland and Sweden will also compete. It is the second time the event will be held in Udine following on from 2009.

Alex Holtz, Alessandro Tomaiuolo and Fabrizio Vallone will represent the hosts.

Tomaiuolo is a bright prospect having only started competitive running two years ago, and he is aiming high.

“Competing at home is exciting, I hope to have a great support, they will help me in the race,” he said. “I’ll compete thinking to my people in Manfredonia [his home town]. They’ll expect a great performance from me. I want to get a medal.”

But the Italians will face Portuguese teammates Paulo Pinheiro and Jose Azevedo, the respective European and world champions.

Azevedo is particularly fired up ahead of the competition as he tries to claim what he considers to be his missing gold.

“This is the title I lack in my career,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the Championships. My main goal is get the podium. I work out every day to give my best. I feel happy [to have Pinheiro as a rival]. There is a good chance of having two places on the podium.”

Another face to watch is Spain’s Asier Aguirre Santos, the bronze medallist from the 2016 World Championships.

Chairperson of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Athletics Committee and World Intellectual Impairment Sport Europe, Jose Costa Pereira, is looking forward to a close contest: “Thanks to FISDIR (the Italian Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport) and the Udine Maratonina to host again the World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Championships, eight years after the previous event in 2009. It’s a fantastic and fast race where World Intellectual Impairment Sport athletes feel fully included.”

Live updates and pictures from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Half Marathon will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

Support us

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.

Tomaiuolo targets half marathon medal on home soil

/in /by
Alessandro Tomaiuolo runs on the track

Credit: Mauro Ficerai

Italy’s Alessandro Tomaiuolo is relishing the prospect of competing at his home International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) European Half Marathon Championships in Udine where he is targeting his first major medal.

The race, which takes place on Sunday (17 September), will be contested as part of the prestigious Udine Marathon.

Tomaiuolo is hoping to better his sixth place finish from the 2016 World Championships.

“I wish to do better to improve my last World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Championships and to get a medal in the next European Championships,” he said.

But the 22-year-old is aware he will face a stacked field including two Portuguese teammates who enter in great form.

“I think that [European champion Paulo] Pineiro and [world champion Jose] Azevedo at the moment are the top athletes in the world and they are on another level,” Tomaiulo said. “I don’t think I can reach their results, but I’ll try to do my best. I’ll try to run with them and then, in the last 5km, try to sprint.”

For the Italian, the opportunity to run in front of his home fans is something to savor.

“Competing at home is exciting, I hope to have a great support, they will help me in the race,” he said. “I’ll compete thinking to my people in Manfredonia [his home town]. They’ll expect a great performance from me. I want to get a medal.”

A fan of British Olympic champion distance runner Mo Farah, Tomaiuolo has only been running competitively for two years and is a great prospect.  He says that he was attracted to the sport because of “Pain to reach gain”.

“Sport is my life, through it I’m famous in my city and everyone respect me. Without sport, I can’t imagine my future,” he said.

Tomaiuolo will join compatriots Alex Holtz and Fabrizio Vallone on the start line.

Live updates from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Half Marathon will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

Australia enter historic first equestrian

/in /by

A para-equestrian rider, Sui Watts, rides her horse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport and Sport Inclusion Australia

Sui Watts has become the first Australian to enter an International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) equestrian competition.

The 25-year-old from Taree competed in World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ inaugural para-equestrian competition for riders with an intellectual impairment. The sport was added to the programme in 2016 with dressage as the discipline.

A member of the Manning Valley Dressage and Hacking Club, Watts competes as a para-equestrian Grade 4 rider under her physical disability.

But Watts also has an intellectual impairment which makes her eligible to compete in World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition.

The first World Intellectual Impairment Sport para-equestrian event features an innovative video set-up where riders are filmed performing the required dressage routine at their home venue before submitting it for assessment by international judges.

The 2013 and 2015 Riding for the Disabled Grade 3/4 National champion, Watts completed her test on 6 September at the Taree Showgrounds.

Her parents Paul and Janett Watts were there to support and coach Nell Marshman entered the video through World Intellectual Impairment Sport member Sport Inclusion Australia.

The high cost of transport of horses and quarantine requirements make a live international competition extremely difficult and expensive. Conducting competitions by video enabled organisers to hold the event at a relatively low cost.

The opportinity has been well received with entries from a number of countries.

Watts’ mother Janett spoke of how her daughter was inspired to take-up the sport:

“This opportunity to represent Australia has been 17 years in the making, ever since we took Sui to watch the equestrian events at the Sydney Paralympics, she has dreamed of one day representing Australia.”

Horses have had an enormous impact on Watts’ life. As a child she had issues trusting people but through working with horses, learned how to do so.

Watts’ life today is consumed with horses. Each day she gets up at 5:30am to rug and feed the six horses at the family farm on Mitchell’s Island.  Watts trains six days a week including lessons with her coach and when she is not working on the family farm or training, she works at Taree Big W and the local YMCA creche.

On weekends she can be found at the Taree Showgrounds either competing or volunteering at competitions.

As a teenager Watts met five-time Paralympian Jan Pike.  A para-equestrian rider who won two medals at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, Pike has taken Watts under her wing as a mentor over the last ten years.

Watts and her horses have travelled extensively on the East Coast of Australia competing in events in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales including her favourite venue where her dream started: the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.  Today Watts rides her favourite mare Springfield Festivity, affectionately known as Reenie.

“It has taken almost two years for Sui and Reenie to form a partnership and now they just keep getting better and better,” Janett said.

In 2012 Sui and her family travelled alongside Marshman to Chinese Taipei for the International Hope Cup, a dressage event for riders with an intellectual and/or physical impairment.  The event featured riders from Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Japan and Australia.  It was a successful trip for Watts and her borrowed Palimino pony Tom, returning with three medals.

“Riding has given Sui an amazing self esteem and developed her confidence, she loves nothing more than being at a horse event chatting to everyone and showing off her gorgeous girl,” father Paul said.

Support us

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.

Azevedo targets ‘missing’ European half marathon title

/in /by
Portugal's Jose Azevedo raises his hand in the air to celebrate as he crosses the finish line

Credit: ANDDI

Portugal’s world champion Jose Azevedo will line-up at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) European Half Marathon Championships in Udine, Italy, on Sunday (17 September) determined to fill the one empty space in his trophy cabinet.

Despite running his first half marathon a decade ago the 28-year-old has never won European gold and wants to put that right.

“This is the title I lack in my career,” Azevedo said. “I’m looking forward to the Championships.”

Azevedo will face a tough field that includes his defending champion teammate Paulo Pinheiro and Spain’s Asier Santos, who finished third behind him at the 2016 World Championships.

“My main goal is get to the podium. I work out every day to give my best. I feel happy [to have Pinheiro as a rival]. There is a good chance of having two places on the podium,” Azevedo continued.

As well as his intellectual impairment, which he was diagnosed with during school, Azevedo has also had to overcome problems with his speech.

“I did speech treatment to improve. For years I have made great efforts to be equal to anyone,” he said.

He began running with his friends and soon found it to be addictive.

“I felt the adrenaline of overcoming myself and I could not stop.

“If I work hard I become a champion. I learned that. If I fight in this life and do my best, I reach my goals”.

Live updates from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Half Marathon will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

Progress in Australia for swimmers with Down’s syndrome

/in /by

Logo of Sport Inclusion Australia

 

 

 

 

 

By Sport Inclusion Australia and World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Sport Inclusion Australia and Down Syndrome Swimming Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to promote opportunities for swimmers with Down’s syndrome.

The partnership follows the trial expansion of the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) programme to athletes with an intellectual impairment and significant additional impairment (Down’s syndrome) and athletes with high functioning autism. As a member of World Intellectual Impairment Sport, Sport Inclusion Australia is reflecting this change at a national level.

The trial initiated discussions between Sport Inclusion Australia and Down Syndrome Swimming Australia to work in collaboration to ensure better opportunities and resourcing were provided to swimmers.

“We have worked extremely closely with Down Syndrome Swimming Australia since its inception, due to our shared philosophy, so it is extremely exciting to be signing this MOU to ensure that opportunities for swimmers with Down’s syndrome continue to be improved,” said Robyn Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Inclusion Australia.

With a proven record working with sporting organisations to provide opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment, and with changes made to expand their charter to include a wider remit, Sport Inclusion Australia will now represent athletes with Down’s syndrome when liaising with National Sporting Organisations.

“We are pleased to formalise our working arrangements with Sport Inclusion Australia, particularly with the World Intellectual Impairment Sport mandate to expand international competition to include our swimmers.” Said Simon Cox, President of Down Syndrome Swimming Australia.

The first World Intellectual Impairment Sport event to include Down’s syndrome as a trial additional eligibility group will be the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, from 28 November – 3 December.

The 9th Down Syndrome Swimming World Championships will then be held in Canada in July 2018.  Locally the Down Syndrome Swimming Australia short course National Championships will be held in Geelong from the 23-24 September.

Formerly known as AUSRAPID, Sport Inclusion Australia was established in 1986 to provide opportunities for people with integration difficulties, primarily intellectual disability. Their vision is “community inclusion through sport”.

Working closely with National Sporting Organisations, Sport Inclusion Australia has been instrumental in ensuring that people with an intellectual impairment have opportunities to participate in the sport of their choice. Through their work with the Australian Paralympic Committee and World Intellectual Impairment Sport, athletes also have an elite competition pathway should they choose.

Previously Down Syndrome Swimming Down Under, Down Syndrome Swimming Australia was formed in 2004 to enable swimmers to compete in quality international competition.

Support us

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.

Defending champ Pinheiro assesses inside threat

/in /by
A distance runner, Paulo Pinheiro, raises his hand as crosses the finish line

Credit: ANDDI

Portugal’s defending champion Paulo Pinheiro has spoken about the threat his teammate Jose Azevedo poses to his title ahead of the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) European Half Marathon Championships which take place in Udine, Italy, on Sunday (17 September).

Pinheiro has medalled at every edition of the competition since 2005, including two golds and two silvers. However 28-year-old Azevedo is the world champion.

It is set to be one of the most exciting storylines of Udine 2017 as athletes from across Europe take to the course as part of the prestigious Udine marathon.

“At this moment he [Azevedo] is better than me and I feel that I have no conditions to overcome him. He is more young,” Pinheiro said.

He will also be looking over his shoulder at Spain’s Asier Santos, another serial medallist from distance running who claimed bronze at the 2016 World Championships.

However the 40-year-old is still determined to give his best, using his years of experience to his advantage. And when asked what his aims are, Pinheiro is still thinking big: “Do my best and achieve the European title.”

Pinheiro says his wife and Olympic medallist Rui Silva inspire him to greatness.

Having started marathon running about 15 years ago he said that the sport has helped him to overcome his impairment by making him feel good and stay healthy. He also said it steers him away from “bad ways”.

“I try to face them [challenges from his impairment] calmly and never let them demotivate me,” said Pinheiro.

Live updates from the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Half Marathon will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

Australia name men’s team for basketball Worlds

/in /by
A group of basketball players on the court

Credit: Sport Inclusion Australia

By Basketball Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia

The men’s team that will represent Australia at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, has been named.

The Boomerangs will be led by 2013 World Championship bronze medallists Jarrod Thomson, Joshua Cleary, Bradley Kinross and Wayne Kinross between 20-26 November.

The team has had a great preparation with a tour to Japan as well as national competitions. They played at the Ivor Burge Championships in Bendigo and the 2017 Queens Birthday Long Weekend Tournament in Melbourne along with several training camps.

“This time together has been invaluable for the team, both in allowing players to gel as a team and for the coaches to appreciate the players strengths and combinations,” said head coach Simon Robinson.

Other players to make their way into the team include 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games representatives Frazer Dawber, Justin Koenig and Jake De La Motte. James Myers, Dylan Pace and Jack Littleton will make their national debut.

De La Motte stood out at the Ivor Burge Championships whilst Myers and Pace impressed with outstanding performances at the 2017 Queens Birthday tournament and the 2016 tour of Japan. Littleton’s size and strength will come in handy against the larger European teams.

“There is a good blend of experience and youth in the team and after just missing out on a medal in Ecuador [at the 2015 Global Games] they will be keen to go one better this tournament,” said Robinson.

While the Boomerangs are currently ranked sixth in the world they are never far from the medals. They have reached the medal round in half of the Championship tournaments since 1992, winning bronze in Portugal in 1996 and Turkey in 2013.

The women’s team has also been announced.

Team roster

Frazer Dawber

Jake De La Motte

James Myers

Jarrod Thomson

Brad Kinross

Wayne Kinross

Dylan Pace

Joshua Cleary

Justin Koenig

Jack Littleton

Staff

Head coach: Simon Robinson

Assistant coach: George Havakis

Technical assistant coach: Justin May

Medical: David Taylor

Manager: Trish Currie

Support us

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport congratulates Andrew Parsons on election as new IPC President

/in /by

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has congratulated Andrew Parsons on his election as President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

He will be only the third President in the history of the IPC and follows Sir Philip Craven, who stood down after serving the maximum number of terms.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President Marc Truffaut said: “On behalf of our membership I would like to congratulate Andrew on his historic election and a successful campaign, which highlighted the importance of moving forward together as a Movement on the promising road ahead.

“He has always been an advocate for sport for people with an intellectual impairment and I am sure that will continue. We very much look forward to continuing and growing our work with the IPC over the coming years.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing President Sir Philip Craven for everything he has achieved during his 16 year tenure. The IPC and movement has never been stronger thanks to his leadership.”

Parsons received 84 votes during the IPC General Assembly in Abu Dhabi, which welcomed a record number of members. Duane Kale (NZL) was voted as the new Vice President.

As well as the Presidential and Vice Presidential elections, 10 Members at Large were also elected to the IPC Governing Board.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Vice President Robyn Smith was in the running however narrowly missed out on the opportunity to progress to the second round of voting.

Truffaut continued: “We nominated Robyn for election because we wanted to be more proactive in supporting the work of the IPC and its members and that still stands.

“We send our congratulations and best wishes to the new Governing Board. There is a bright future ahead of all of us and I hope that we can continue on the same path.”

Smith said: “Despite not being elected I am still happy to have been part of this historic process. It gave me a chance to speak to other members about my vision for the Paralympic Movement – no one left behind – as well as to raise awareness of the important work of World Intellectual Impairment Sport.

“I echo Marc’s comments about Andrew and all members of the Governing Board. He will be a great leader and I hope we can grow sport for people with intellectual impairments and others around the world together.”

Hosts Italy announce team for half marathon Euros

/in /by
Three distance Italian distance runners< Alex Holtz, Fabrizio Vallone and Alessandro Tomaiuolo

Credit: Emanuele Antonio Minerva, Mauro Ficerai

Alex Holtz, Alessandro Tomaiuolo and Fabrizio Vallone will represent hosts Italy at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) European Half Marathon Championships on 18 September in Udine.

Being held as part of the 18th edition of the prestigious Maratonina Udinese, runners from Portugal, Spain, Poland and Sweden will also compete. It is the second time the event will be held in Udine following on from 2009.

Holtz returns to major international competition for the first time since the 2011 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games, following a successful national Championships in Rome in July. Vallone and Tomaiuolo both competed at the 2016 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Indoor Championships in Ancona, Italy.

Diego Perez, Giovanni Cotugno, Giuseppe Raffermati and Giorgio Zanmarchi will support the Italian team.

The Italians’ main rivals are Portuguese teammates Jose Azevedo and Paulo Pinheiro.

Azevedo is the reigning world champion whilst Pinheiro holds the European crown and has medalled at every edition of the competition since 2005.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Record attendance for historic IPC General Assembly

/in /by
Two swimmers dive into the pool at the Aquatics Centre during the London 2012 Paralympics.

Credit: Getty Images

By the IPC and International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport

There will be record attendance at this week’s International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the IPC membership elects only its third President in its 28 year history.

The 18th IPC General Assembly and Conference will begin on Tuesday (5 September) and conclude on Friday (8 September) with the election of a new IPC Governing Board and successor to Sir Philip Craven who has led the organisation since 2001.

Nearly 330 representatives from 167 IPC member organisations, (made up of 144 National Paralympic Committees, 15 International Federations, 4 Regional Organisations and 4 International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled (IOSDs)), the most ever to attend an IPC General Assembly, plus the Americas Paralympic Committee, will be in the UAE capital for what promises to be a historic few days for the Paralympic Movement. The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) will be represented as one of the IOSDs.

Sir Philip Craven, the IPC President who will stand down on 8 October to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, said: “This week in Abu Dhabi will mark the end of an era for the Paralympic Movement and the start of a new chapter with the election of a new IPC Governing Board. It promises to be an emotional few days for me personally.

“With so much at stake and to be discussed, I am delighted that 167 IPC members, 19 more than the last elections four years ago, will attend the General Assembly to decide the Paralympic Movement’s future direction.

“Through a combination of support from the Local Organising Committee and the IPC I am also pleased that 52 members from our solidarity nations, more than ever before, can attend this meeting at zero cost as it is important that all of our members have a view on our future.”

On Tuesday morning the IPC membership will receive updates from the IPC on a number of matters including diversity in the Paralympic Movement, sport competitions fees and the criteria for the inclusion of sports and disciplines in future Paralympic Games. In the afternoon session, Rio 2016 will present its post-Games report while the Organising Committees of PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 deliver their latest progress reports.

All candidates standing for election to the IPC Governing Board will have an opportunity to present to the IPC membership on Wednesday. This will include the four candidates hoping to succeed Sir Philip as IPC President: Patrick Jarvis, Andrew Parsons, John Petersson and Haidi Zhang.

Prior to Sir Philip delivering his biennial report on Thursday morning, the IPC will officially welcome a number of new member organisations pending approval from the General Assembly. Following a presentation on the IPC’s finances, a number of motions put forward by the IPC membership will be discussed and decided upon.

Thursday evening, exactly one year on from the opening of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Paralympic Movement will gather for the 2017 Paralympic Sport and Media Awards. Supported by Allianz, the awards recognise and celebrate achievements by athletes, teams, officials and the media at last September’s Games. The BP Courage Award and a number of Paralympic Orders will also be presented.

The election of the third IPC President and a new Vice President will dominate Friday morning’s agenda. In the afternoon, 10 Members at Large will be elected from a list of up to 21 candidates which includes World Intellectual Impairment Sport Vice President Robyn Smith.

All attending 167 IPC members, plus the Americas Paralympic Committee, will be able to vote in the elections.

The last time elections were held for the IPC Governing Board was in 2013 when Athens, Greece, staged the 17th IPC General Assembly. Back then 274 representatives from 148 IPC members attended as Sir Philip Craven was elected for his fourth and final term as President.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more.