A Russian equestrian rides her horse

Kirienkova claims historic para Equestrian title

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Russia’s Ekatarina Kirienkova has become the first equestrian to win an International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) title.

Riding Lady Lux, Kirienkova claimed first place in an World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian Video Competition.

Footage of her and 13 other riders from four countries were submitted for judging in a unique format, designed to make the inaugural competition more accessible to athletes around the world. The horses were required to wear bandages to show the video had not been used in another competition.

Competing in a Grade IV novice A test in a 20×40 arena, the Russian worked with great synergy with her horse to top the rankings with 67.012%.

Sui Watts, a national champion in her native Australia, finished second on Springfield Festivity with 64.770%.

Great Britain’s Oliver Peace (63.730%) was third.

Full results can be found here: First World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian Video Competition – results

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

The video competition featured one medal event but it is hoped that in the future a novice test B, team test, individual Championship test and a freestyle test will be added.

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.

Paralympic Movement launches fundraising campaign for Mexico

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By the International Paralympic Committee

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and its development arm, the Agitos Foundation, have launched a global fundraising campaign to support UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts in Mexico following the recent devastating earthquake.

Donations to the fund can be made via Crowdrise. 

Following the 19 September quake, the IPC postponed its World Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting Championships in Mexico City which were due to begin on 30 September. However, due to the emotional connection the Paralympic Movement feels with Mexico – around 1,400 athletes, coaches and officials were due in the capital between 30 September and 6 October – the IPC and Agitos Foundation have decided to raise funds to support the ongoing work of UNICEF in the country.

To mark the launch of fundraising, IPC international partner Allianz – who were due to sponsor the World Para Swimming and Powerlifting Championships – are the first to donate to the campaign. The IPC and a number of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) set to send athletes to compete in Mexico have also made donations, as well as World Para Swimming partner SWANS/Yamamoto Kogaku Co.,Ltd.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “The whole Paralympic Movement is united in our support for the Mexican people at this difficult time. Following Tuesday’s terrible tragedy, we are all committed to doing what we can to help the people affected by this earthquake.

“When we postponed our upcoming World Championships earlier this week, a number of members within the Paralympic Movement asked how they could support the relief efforts. We believe working with UNICEF to launch this fundraising campaign is the least that we can do at this difficult time.

“I would like to thank Allianz for getting the fund up and running with a sizeable donation and would also like to pay tribute to all the NPCs and IPC staff who have committed to support the fund so far. I hope we can make a difference.”

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with the people of Mexico at this time. Supporting this initiative to bring help and resources to those that are suffering from this devastating earthquake is the least we can do as a long standing partner of the IPC and a top tier partner of the World Para Swimming and Powerlifting Championships”, said Jean-Marc Pailhol, Head of Group Market Management & Distribution at Allianz SE.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake has left hundreds dead and caused major damage to buildings and infrastructure in Mexico City and neighbouring states of Morelos and Puebla. An estimated five million children have been affected, and urban search and rescue activities are still underway.

UNICEF is prioritising response to immediate needs in child protection, provision of safe drinking water, mobile toilets in temporary shelters and open spaces and the distribution of complementary hygiene items. This action will be followed by education response in the next weeks, which includes temporary learning spaces and school safety guidelines and psychosocial support training for teachers.

“Children affected by disasters urgently need life-saving support. UNICEF is on the ground in Mexico, working round the clock from the moment the first earthquake hit the country on 7 September. Our priority is to ensure the physical and emotional wellbeing of the children affected, guaranteeing the support and access to services they need to get their lives back to some semblance of normality as soon as possible. Many have lost their homes, people they love, their schools and things they cherish. Your donation will help us reach every child in need,” said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative in Mexico.

ESPAÑOL

#FuerzaMexico: Movimiento Paralímpico lanza campaña de recaudación de fondos para México

En colaboración con UNICEF, el IPC y la Fundación Agitos tienen como objetivo apoyar los esfuerzos humanitarios después del terremoto del pasado martes.

El Comité Paralímpico Internacional (IPC) y la Fundación Agitos lanzaron una campaña mundial de recaudación de fondos el viernes 22 de septiembre para apoyar los esfuerzos humanitarios que UNICEF está realizando en México tras el devastador terremoto de la semana pasada.

Las donaciones pueden realizarse a través de  https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/team/fuerzamexico-paralympic-movement-support/agitos

Luego del terremoto del 19 de septiembre, el IPC decidió postergar los Campeonatos Mundiales de Para Natación y Para Powerlifting, los cuales estaban previstos comenzar el 30 de septiembre en la Ciudad de México. Debido a la conexión emocional que el Movimiento Paralímpico tiene con México – alrededor de 1.400 atletas, entrenadores y funcionarios debían estar en la capital entre el 30 de septiembre y el 6 de octubre – el IPC y la Fundación Agitos han decidido recaudar fondos para apoyar el trabajo de UNICEF en el país.

Allianz – socio internacional del IPC -, que iba a patrocinar los Campeonatos Mundiales de Para Natación y Para Powerlifting, fue el primero en donar a la campaña de recaudación de fondos para celebrar su lanzamiento. El IPC y una serie de Comités Paralímpicos Nacionales (CPNs) que iban a enviar atletas para competir en México también han realizado donaciones, así como también SWANS/Yamamoto Kogaku Co.,Ltd, patrocinador del Campeonato Mundial de Para Natación.

Andrew Parsons, Presidente del IPC, dijo: “Todo el Movimiento Paralímpico está unido en apoyo al pueblo mexicano en este momento difícil. Después de la terrible tragedia del martes, todos estamos comprometidos a hacer lo que podamos para ayudar a las personas afectadas por este terremoto”.

“Cuando pospusimos nuestros próximos Campeonatos Mundiales a principios de esta semana, varios miembros del Movimiento Paralímpico preguntaron cómo podían apoyar los esfuerzos de socorro. Creemos que trabajar con UNICEF para lanzar esta campaña de recaudación de fondos es lo mínimo que podemos hacer en este momento difícil”.

“Me gustaría dar las gracias a Allianz por conseguir que el fondo comience con una importante donación y también quisiera rendir homenaje a todos los CPNs y al personal del IPC que se han comprometido a apoyar el fondo hasta ahora. Espero que podamos hacer la diferencia”.

“Nuestros sentimientos están con el pueblo de México en este momento. Apoyar esta iniciativa para traer ayuda y recursos a los que están sufriendo este devastador terremoto es lo mínimo que podemos hacer como un socio de larga data del IPC y un socio de primer nivel de los Campeonatos Mundiales de Para Natación y Para Powerlifting,” dijo Jean-Marc Pailhol, Head of Group Market Management & Distribution en Allianz SE.

El terremoto de magnitud 7,1 del martes (19 de septiembre) dejó cientos de muertos y causó importantes daños a edificios e infraestructura en la ciudad de México y los estados vecinos de Morelos y Puebla. Se estima que cinco millones de niños han sido afectados, y las actividades de búsqueda y rescate urbano aún continúan en marcha.

UNICEF está priorizando la respuesta a las necesidades inmediatas en materia de protección de los niños, suministro de agua potable, baños móviles en refugios temporales y espacios abiertos y distribución de artículos de higiene complementarios. Esta acción será seguida por la respuesta educativa en las próximas semanas, que incluye espacios de aprendizaje temporales y guías de seguridad escolar y entrenamiento de apoyo psico-social para maestros.

“Los niños afectados por los desastres necesitan urgentemente un apoyo vital. UNICEF se encuentra en México trabajando a toda hora desde el primer terremoto que azotó al país el 7 de septiembre. Nuestra prioridad es garantizar el bienestar físico y emocional de los niños afectados, garantizando el apoyo y el acceso a los servicios que necesitan para recuperar sus vidas lo más pronto posible. Muchos han perdido sus hogares, la gente que aman, sus escuelas y cosas que aprecian. Su donación nos ayudará a llegar a todos los niños necesitados,” dijo Christian Skoog, Representante de UNICEF en México.

 

Statement on 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport logo

 

 

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has confirmed that the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, will go ahead as planned from 27 November – 4 December.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President Marc Truffaut said: “On behalf of the whole World Intellectual Impairment Sport family I would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to the people of Mexico City and the surrounding areas affected by the terrible earthquake on Tuesday.

“Today World Intellectual Impairment Sport officials have been in contact with the organisers of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships and they have confirmed that the host city of Aguascalientes, which is some 500km north of the worst affected areas of the country, has not been affected.

“At this point we would like to reassure athletes and teams preparing for the Championships in Aguascalientes that the competition will go ahead as planned.”

 

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.

#SupportTheBest: World Intellectual Impairment Sport to hold charity dinner, auction

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A flyer for a fundraising event for the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) is to hold an auction and dinner at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield, Great Britain on 23 November.

Early bird tickets are on sale now at www.inas.org/support-us for £35 per person or £245 for a table of eight before 23 October. After that tickets will be £39 per person or £273 for a table of eight.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport supports around 300,000 athletes and is recognised by the International Paralympic Committee to lead the development of sport for this group of athletes around the world.

As well as swimming, athletics and table tennis at the Paralympic Games, World Intellectual Impairment Sport also runs world and regional Championships in 13 other sports. These range from cycling, basketball and football to alpine and cross-country skiing.

In addition the organisation aims to promote the inclusion of athletes with an intellectual impairment in society.

The charity auction and three course dinner, which begins at 7pm, will feature a key note speech from London 2012 Paralympic Games gold medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate. The 21-year-old swimmer, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, also bagged two silver medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the women’s 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley S14.

Applegate said: “World Intellectual Impairment Sport does fantastic work on behalf of athletes with intellectual impairments all around the world and they have certainly helped me a lot during my career.

“After London 2012 we really saw an upturn in interest and support for para-sport that was carried through to Rio 2016 and that has really helped. However there is so much work that goes on in between the Paralympic Games, and in sports not on the programme, that help athletes like me train, compete and reach the podium.

“World Intellectual Impairment Sport cannot continue to do that without the help and generosity of the public, so come and join me in Sheffield for what I am sure will be a very fun evening while supporting the world’s best athletes.”

Working in partnership with the Copthorne Hotel and other local businesses, World Intellectual Impairment Sport has secured some great lots for guests to bid on. These include a night in the Penthouse suite at the four star Copthorne Hotel and Sheffield United match tickets, with other items to be revealed over the coming weeks and months.

A celebrity auctioneer, to be confirmed, is also expected to pick up the gavel to run the event, which is being called #SupportTheBest.

 

Udine prepares for half marathon Euros

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.