#SupportTheBest: List of auction lots grows

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A flyer for an auction in support of the world's best athletes with an intellectual impairment

Just under one month away from its #SupportTheBest dinner and auction in Sheffield, Great Britain, on 23 November, the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has given a glimpse of the list of items to be sold.

Headlining the swag on offer in support of the world’s best athletes is two trips to World Intellectual Impairment Sport sport events in 2018.

The lucky winners of the first lot will be flown from Great Britain to Paris, France. There they will enjoy a two night stay for two people at the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Games between 14-22 July. They will get to experience a variety of sports first hand including athletics, swimming, football and table tennis.

The next incredible item is another two night break for two people at the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Football Championships. Travelling from Great Britain to Karlstad, Sweden, any time between 2-18 August they can witness the thrills and spills of the beautiful game.

Continuing the holiday theme event partners and hosts, the four star Copthorne Hotel, are offering a one night stay in their luxurious penthouse suite.

Dinner guests will also get the chance to bid on a series of signed sports and arts memorabilia. These include shirt and picture displays from England footballer Sir Geoff Hurst, Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry and newly crowned Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. In addition a signed and framed display of photographs of music legend Phil Collins is on offer.

Smaller items such as dinner for two at Nonna’s Italian restaurant in Sheffield and a family ticket for a Sheffield Sharks basketball game mean that everyone can have a go at bidding.

The evening will be highlighted by a speech from British Paralympian Jessica-Jane Applegate. The swimmer will recount her story, life as a Paralympic medallist and why organisations like World Intellectual Impairment Sport are so important for thousands of athletes.

Attendees will enjoy a delicious three course dinner and will get to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best sportspeople.

Ticket information

Tickets are still available for the dinner and auction which gets underway at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield at 7pm on 23 November. A table of eight is priced at £273 whilst individual tickets are £39 per person.

France claim historic double at World Intellectual Impairment Sport table tennis Worlds

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A table tennis player with Down's syndrome

The French men’s and women’s teams took two historic titles at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships on Monday (23 October), securing the first titles for players with Down’s syndrome.

Lucille Poquet, Camille Frson, Celine Delalande and Carole Hennion were the victors in the women’s on the opening day of competition in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

They overcame the Egyptian side of Norhan Aboutale and Nermen Abdelhafez 3-0.

There was similar success for the French men. Cedric Courrillaud, Ludovic Morainville, Jean Bachevillier and Alexandre Sol also beat Egypt 3-0. Kareem Elzeiny and Mazen Elsamay proved no match for their opponents.

The Championships in Hradec Kralove are the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to feature the new trial eligibility groups of Down’s syndrome and autism.

The new categories join the existing classification of players with an intellectual impairment where matches were also played on Monday.

Hong Kong’s Paralympic bronze medallist Mui Wui Ng and teammates Hiu Tung Li and Pui Kei Wong claimed gold in the women’s junior team competition.

They triumphed over hosts Czech Republic featuring Jana Feixova and Denisa Macurova, 3-0.

Away from the medal matches the men’s team and men’s junior competition for players with intellectual impairments got underway.

Defending champions France won their opening group games against Egypt and Austria, both 3-0, to advance to the next round.

Hong Kong beat Thailand 3-0 in the men’s junior competition.

Hradec Kralove 2017 runs until 27 October.

News and updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website (www.inas.org) and Facebook and Twitter.

Full results are available at the competition website.

About World 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 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

Athletes prepare for historic World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships

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A table tennis player throws the ball into to air ready to serve

Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images

Around 65 athletes from 14 countries have begun to arrive in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, for the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships which get underway on Monday (23 October).

As well as athletes with intellectual impairments, the Championships will be the first to feature new trial eligibility groups for Down’s syndrome and autism.

Amongst those playing will be defending women’s singles champion Ka Man Wong and Mui Wui Ng, both from Hong Kong.

London 2012 Paralympic champion Wong lost out on a medal to her teammate at Rio 2016. Ng claimed bronze in the women’s singles.

Wong, who has the benefit of 17 years’ experience playing the sport, sees Hradec Kralove 2017 as a crucial stop on the calendar:

“I hope I can perform well in the competition and strive for medals. This is one of the most important competitions after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. I am looking forward to it.”

Ng is also targeting the podium:

“My aim for the Championships is to gain more competition experience and at the same time, striving for my best performance and fighting for medals,” Ng said. “There are lots of competitive players. If I have to win a game, I have to be focused and put my best effort during the games.”

In addition Wong and Ng are the defending women’s doubles champions.

In the men’s competition France’s Lucas Creange is the singles title holder. He returns to defend his gold from Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2015.

Creange will also aim to retain the men’s team crown alongside Richard Vallee and Antoine Zhao who competed two years ago.

The hosts are sending a strong squad that features Denis Ksandr, Lukas Schauer, Marcela Cervenakova, Jana Feixova, Jan Pokuta, Ondrej Vitvar, Denisa Macurova, Kveta Telvakova, Filip Zahalka, Pavel Richter and Marie Horvathova.

Hradec Kralove 2017 officially opens on 22 October, with competition running from 23-27 October.

News and updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website (www.inas.org) and Facebook and Twitter.

Results will be available every day at the competition website.

About World 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 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. 

International Day of Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment announced

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A montage of photos of athletes with intellectual impairments

Credit: Getty Images

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has re-launched its dedicated day for celebrating and raising awareness of high performance and grassroots sport worldwide.

The occasion – formerly known as Global Intellectual Disability Day – has been renamed the International Day of Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment. It will be held on 3 December, 2017.

This year’s edition will have a theme of ‘the world’s best athletes’. The aim is to showcase and promote the incredible abilities of the sportspeople World Intellectual Impairment Sport supports.

The organisation is encouraging its 80+ member organisations, the wider para-sport movement and the public to get involved on a national and international level.

“From arranging meet and greets with athletes and trying out sports with them, to sharing memories, photos and videos on social media of their favourite stars, there is something everyone can do to celebrate the new International Day of Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment,” World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut, said.

“There is no better way for people to get to know the most successful athletes from their country and to raise awareness of their achievements. It is also a great way to promote grassroots sports for people with intellectual impairments, autism and Down’s syndrome.

“We are timing this year’s celebrations to coincide with the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships – one of our biggest competitions – as well as the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities to really maximise the reach of the event.

“We want as many people as possible to know about high performance sport for athletes with intellectual impairments, to follow them during their careers and share their favourite moments and memories using #SupportTheBest.”

At the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships, a range of digital content, videos, images and athlete stories will be shared to celebrate the day. The Championships begin on 28 November and closes on 3 December in Aguascalientes, Mexico

World Intellectual Impairment Sport will also be sharing updates from member organisations and athletes. As a charity it aims to use the day to raise funds to support its work.

Aguascalientes 2017 is expected to attract around 150 athletes from 20 countries. It will be the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment this year.

About World 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 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.

Wong looks towards ‘most important competition since Paralympics’

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Hong Kong’s former Paralympic champion Ka Man Wong is excited about the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships, believing it to be the most important event since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Wong is the defending women’s singles world champion having beat teammate Mui Wui Ng to gold at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The 31-year-old could face Ng once again for the world title from 23-27 October in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

“I hope I can perform well in the competition and strive for medals,” Wong said. “This is one of the most important competitions after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. I am looking forward to it.”

Ng now 20, does have the potential to beat her compatriot at a major event. At Rio 2016 she beat Wong to bronze with a 3-0 victory in the women’s singles.

With the two athletes remaining amongst the best in the world, a rematch could be on the cards in Hradec Kralove.

“Ng is an athlete with high potential. We know about the style of play of each other very well,” Wong said. “At that match [during Rio 2016], I just had a bit of advantage over her in terms of experience, so what I did is to play focused and find ways to win.

“I am not certain [about which athletes could challenge me], but it’s all about my own play on the spot. All I have to do is to be concentrated and properly execute the tactics suggested by my coaches.”

Wong, who is recovering from a persistent knee injury, is also looking forward to the team event: “I can play with my teammates as a team who can share the joy or frustration together. At the same time, it keeps me motivated to play better too.”

Having taken up table tennis in 2000, this year Wong is celebrating 14 years since she won her first major international medal at the 2003 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships in Mexico. Since then she has collected multiple singles and doubles titles and remains one of Hong Kong’s best medal hopes.

“Table Tennis provides me with unexpected opportunities in visiting different places for competitions, which has widened my horizons,” Wong said. “Besides, I meet friends and teammates through training, which has also widened my social circle.”

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, will feature around 65 players from 14 countries. As well as athletes with an intellectual impairment, it will also be the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to trial new eligibility groups for Down’s syndrome and autism.

Updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website, Facebook and Twitter throughout the competition. Results will be published at the official event website.

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.

 

Australia reveal team for 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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A series of swimmers with intellectual impairments dive into the pool

By Sport Inclusion Australia

A team of 10 Australian swimmers will take on the world’s best at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, from the 28 November – 3 December.

Returning to South America after their domination of the pool at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador, team officials are confident of another strong showing.

Four athletes will make their international debut alongside some more established swimmers.

In the women’s events Jade Lucy and Jaime-Lee Getson impressed in 2015 winning multiple medals between them.  Both swimmers return with promising qualifying times. Nikesha Harding is also expected to feature on the podium in individual events.

Australia’s women dominated the relays in Ecuador and will be keen for another good performance in Mexico.  Lucy, Harding and Getson will be joined by India Biesse-Fitton and debutants Casey Stevens and Bronte Marshall in the relay events.

“While most swimmers will have a large number of individual events we look forward to focusing on the relays, which will provide an opportunity for our younger swimmers to experience the pressure of swimming for a medal,”  Herbie Howard, Head Coach, said.

Patrick Donachie debuted for Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics winning gold in the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay at the age of 17.  Seventeen years later he is still swimming for Australia.

Donachie will contest the men’s 50m butterfly, backstroke and freestyle events along with the 100m freestyle and backstroke in Mexico. He is expected to team up with his fellow swimmers in the relays.

“Patrick has been a senior statesman of our swim teams for many years and has been a wonderful team captain and mentor for the younger swimmers, it is a pleasure to have him on our team again,” Tracy Lawrence, Australian Team Manager, said.

Donachie will be joined by Ben Morrison and debutants Ben Stokes and Jarrod Lee in the men’s relay events.

Full Australian team roster

Men
Patrick Donachie
Ben Morrison
Ben Stokes
Jarrod Lee

Women
Casey Stevens

Jade Lucy
India Biesse-Fitton

Jamie – Lee Getson
Nikesha Harding
Bronte Marshall

Funding

As a self-funded team, a Mycause page to assist with the cost of representing Australia at the Championships has been set-up.

Aguascalientes 2017 is expected to attract around 150 athletes from 20 countries – the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment this year.

Two female table tennis players play a match

Mui Wui Ng to ‘fight’ for medals at table tennis Worlds

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Hong Kong’s Paralympic table tennis bronze medallist Mui Wui Ng will be one of the faces to watch at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships from 23 October.

The 20-year-old made a name for herself by beating defending champion Ka Man Wong to bronze in the women’s singles at Rio 2016.

Now Ng has her sights set on equalling or even improving her performance on the World Championships stage as her career takes on momentum.

“My aim for the Championships is to gain more competition experience and at the same time, striving for my best performance and fighting for medals,” she said. “There are lots of competitive players. If I have to win a game, I have to be focused and put my best effort during the games.”

Whilst the pair are rivals on the table, Ng has learnt a lot from Wong. With travelling and training together, they have also become like family:

“Wong is my long time teammate and like a big sis of mine in the team. We know about the style of play of each other very well. She is also an experienced player who won a Paralympic medal before.”

Ng first started playing table tennis in 2005 after a teacher suggested she try it. When she was a child she found it difficult to communicate with others, something that the sport has helped her to overcome.

“Table tennis training provides me with a platform to meet new people, coaches and teammates, which increases the chance for me in communicating with others at different occasions,” she said. “Now, I have become more courageous to talk and spell out my ideas during training and in public, which in turn helps improve training indirectly too.”

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, will feature around 65 players from 14 countries between 23-27 October. As well as athletes with an intellectual impairment, it will also be the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to trial new eligibility groups for Down’s syndrome and autism.

Updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website, Facebook and Twitter throughout the competition. Results will be published at the official event website.

A man holds his arms open in front of a banner for the Americas Paralympic Committee

World Intellectual Impairment Sport sends condolences to family of Jose Luis Campo

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The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has joined other members of the Paralympic Movement in sending its condolences to the family of Jose Luis Campo, President of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC), who passed away suddenly on Monday (16 October).

Campo was instrumental in the development of the Paralympic Movement in the Americas, and was hugely supportive of sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

“This is such a huge shock and our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time,” Marc Truffaut, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, said. “We have lost a very important figurehead not just from the APC but from the Paralympic family as a whole.”

“Jose Luis was a great advocate for World Intellectual Impairment Sport and its athletes. He was always keen to be as inclusive as possible and we will remember his passion and determination with great fondness.”

On Wednesday (18 October), Campo would have celebrated his 60th birthday and leaves behind his wife Sonia Incaurgarat and three children Bernardo, Manuel and Josefina.

A physical education teacher for youngsters with an impairment, Campo was elected the APC’s founding President in 1997. He served two terms until 2005 during which time he worked to establish and develop National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) in the region.

He was elected President once again in 2013 and was currently serving his fourth term following re-election in March 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Campo oversaw the organisation of the inaugural Parapan American Games in Mexico City in 1999. He played an influential role in bringing them to his home city of Mar de Plata in Argentina four years later and then to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2007. Campo also helped create the Youth Parapan American Games.

In 2013 he led the organisation of an eligibility workshop in Costa Rica for Americas NPCs on athletes with intellectual impairments.

In December 2015, months after the hugely successful Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, Campo signed a historic agreement on behalf of the APC with the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO). This includes working together on the bid process for the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games as well as the promotion and development of Paralympic sport.

During his current term as President, Campo was working closely with the Organising Committees of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games and Managua 2018 Para Central-American Games, once again, in order to strengthen the Paralympic Movement in the Americas.

Away from the APC, Campo served on the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Executive Committee from 1997 to 2005 and was an IPC Governing Board member between 2009 and 2013. He was part of the Rio 2016 International Olympic Committee Co-ordination Commission overseeing Latin America’s first Paralympic Games, an event that saw NPCs from the Americas win more medals than ever before.

Campo passed away in Mar del Plata after suffering a suspected heart attack while participating in a fundraising walk/run event to raise funds for organisations fighting children’s cancer.

With thanks to the International Paralympic Committee for additional reporting.

 

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships will be hoested in Aguascalientes

Preparations intensify for World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Champs

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The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has carried out the latest site visit to Aguascalientes, Mexico, the location of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships.

With less than 50 days until the competition gets underway on 28 November, swimming Sport Director Dave Harman spent 48 hours in Aguascalientes in early October. He assessed progress in a number of areas including timing, medical, broadcast, branding and volunteers with the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

“Only a few weeks remain before 150 of the world’s best athletes from 20 countries arrive for the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships,” Harman said. “As this is the biggest competition for swimmers with an intellectual impairment since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, it is important that everything is run to the highest possible standard.

“With the help of the Aguascalientes Institute of Sport the LOC are making good progress and things are starting to fall into place. We are particularly excited by the interest from Mexican television and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. As ever these people will be a huge part of the success of the event.

“There is still a lot to do in order to make Aguascalientes 2017 the best it can be, but we are confident that the LOC is firmly headed in the right direction.”

During the site visit Harman was shown plans to brand the Jesús Terán Peredo airport where most teams will arrive. Some striking look elements for the competition venue – the Alberca Olimpica swimming pool – were also presented to World Intellectual Impairment Sport.

Aguascalientes 2017 will run from 28 November – 3 December and is being organised by the Federación Mexicana de Deportistas Especiales (FEMEDE). As well as athletes with intellectual impairments, trial groups for Down’s syndrome and autism will also be contested for the first time.

A group of dignitaries and athletes pose for a group shot for the 2019 Global Games

Countdown to 2019 Global Games is on

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By the Global Games Sports Company

The countdown to the 2019 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, began on Thursday (12 October) with organisers making a series of announcements.

The Global Games Sports Company (GGSC) and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which both organisations will share knowledge before, during and after the Commonwealth Games in April 2018.

The leadership teams from both organisations will work together to identify potential legacy projects, initiatives and programmes that benefit each event.

Over the term of the agreement the GGSC will work closely with GOLDOC and their workforce team. They will identify opportunities for volunteers and paid team members to transition or re-engage with the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games.

“This is a monumental occasion for the area of inclusion and testament to the role sport plays in Australia to provide opportunities and pathways for athletes with an impairment,” said Robyn Smith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GGSC.

“GOLDOC is committed to ensuring that the 2018 Commonwealth Games leaves a lasting legacy for all Australians on the power of sport to change lives. We are delighted to be working with the Global Games Sports Company in sharing information to assist the delivery of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games – Brisbane 2019,” Mark Peters, CEO of GOLDOC, said.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place on 4-15 April. It will be the largest sporting event in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We are excited to bring the Games to Brisbane and to work with the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, to deliver the best Games ever. Australia did it in Sydney in 2000 and we have no doubt with the support of the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and the State and national sporting organisations and over 300 volunteers that we will do it again here in Brisbane in 2019.” Smith concluded.

As part of a celebration held in Brisbane, Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier Jennifer Howard MP, officially launched the countdown.

“The Queensland Government is proud to be the presenting partner of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games – Brisbane 2019, and I have no doubt Brisbane will be an amazing host city for this international event,” Howard said. “The Games will be a week-long Championship, celebrating ability and promoting the power of sport to achieve social cohesion.

“Athletes will compete across nine internationally sanctioned sports including: athletics, basketball, cycling, futsal, rowing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and tennis as well as a number of demonstration sports in many of Brisbane’s world class venues.

“This is such a wonderful legacy event following the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

Along the way organisers hope to use the Games to challenge perceptions, change attitudes and strengthen communities locally and globally. This will leave a lasting legacy for the people of Brisbane, Queensland and Australia of the power of sport to break down barriers and create social inclusion.

Howard said the Queensland Government was committed to ensuring people with impairments could live the life they choose:

“We want to create a better future by driving the changes we need to ensure our State is more inclusive and that people with disability can participate fully in all aspects of our communities.”

The GGSC rounded off their celebrations by announcing the Accor hotels will be the Official Provider of Accommodation for the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games.

Matthew Young, Vice President Operations Accor Hotels, commented, “We are delighted and honoured at our appointment as the official accommodation provider for this major international sporting event. Accor Hotels is committed to continuing to use our considerable experience and expertise in the accommodation services sector to support the Global Games Sports Company to deliver a first class event for the 1,000’s of visitors to Brisbane in 2019.”

Accor Hotels that will provide accommodation during the Global Games include Sofitel Brisbane Central, Pullman and Mercure Brisbane King George Square, Quay West Suites Brisbane, The Sebel Brisbane, Novotel Brisbane, Novotel Brisbane Southbank, Mercure Brisbane, Ibis Brisbane and Ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth street.

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games will see more than 1,000 of the world’s best athletes with an intellectual impairment compete across nine sports at some of Brisbane’s iconic international sporting venues.

In addition organisers will also showcase the sports of netball, Australian rules football, cricket and hockey. Demonstrations were held in Brisbane’s King George Square on Thursday, allowing members of the public to try some of the sports for themselves.