The 2015 Inas European Swimming Championships begin today in Liberec, Czech Republic. With more than 13 nations represented, the event promises to be a fiercely fought competition with many looking to emulate the recent performances achieved at the IPC European Championships.

For the first time, the event features races specifically for athletes with Down Syndrome. This is a pilot, and follows a request from the Inas membership to re-consider the traditional single ‘intellectual disability’ or s14 class.

For information about the event, including results visit the event webpage.

After six games of the Inas World Football Championships in Brazil, South Africa and Poland currently lead their groups on points and goal differences.

In the competition’s first game, France beat Sweden 4 – 1 whilst Brazil and Japan drew 2 – 2.  On Friday Japan lost 5-1 to Poland whilst reigning champions Saudi Arabia beat France 5 – 0.

Poor weather conditions have led to the postponement of two games, whilst a tragedy which saw Brazilian Presidential Candidate Eduardo Campo killed when his place crashed close to one of the competition venues caused further disruption to the playing schedule.

For full results and news, visit the event web page.

It is with great sadness that Inas has learnt that former Executive Committee member and former President of the Inas Asia/South Pacific region, Marie Little OAM, passed away over the weekend following a short illness.

Marie was one of the founding figures in Inas and a passionate advocate of sport for people with an intellectual disability.

In addition to her commitment to Inas, she also served on the Board of the Australia Paralympic Committee – latterly as President – and was a member of the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee ahead of the 2000 Games. Her lasting legacy in Australia is AUSRAPID – the Australian Sport and Recreation Association for People with an Intellectual Disability, founded in 1986, of which she was President until her retirement in 2011.

Internationally, Marie was the first female member of the Executive Committee of the International Paralympic Committee.

Robyn Smith, Inas Vice President and CEO of AUSRAPID has paid tribute to Marie. “In my position with AUSRAPID during the past 20 years, I have not met anyone with her enthusiasm, commitment and determination to improve the lives of those with an intellectual disability – through involvement in quality sporting and recreational pursuits”.

Wayne Bird, who succeeded Marie as President of the Oceania region “The success of Mrs Little’s work is evident throughout Australia and her vision has been a revelation to the development of sport for people with a disability in this country and throughout the world.   She has been the inspiration behind Ausrapid”.

Marie Little received an Order of Australia Medal in 2006 as a pioneer in Australia and overseas for her work advocating and assisting the lives of people with an intellectual disability through sport.

On behalf of its athletes, member organisations, staff and Board members, Inas would like to extend its deepest condolences to Marie’s family… but also a message of thanks and appreciation for everything that Marie did and achieved both for the organisation and for sport for athletes with an intellectual disability in Australia and worldwide during an outstanding career.

Inas this week delivered a workshop for representatives from national sports organisations across Africa. The workshop was designed to help promote sport for athletes with an intellectual disability and encourage greater competition opportunities.

More than 40 delegates received presentations on topics including eligibility and classification of athletes and an overview of the Inas sport and competition programme. The event was hosted by FECASDI – the Federation Camerounaise Des Sports Pour Deficients Intellectuals – in Yaounde, Cameroon.

President, Amaury Russo thanked the delegates saying “Inas has set itself a target to grow its activities in areas such as Africa. I am delighted by the enthusiasm and ideas to promote sport for athletes with an intellectual disability, and very much hope to see out first Inas Africa Regional events taking place soon”.

The project was funded by a grant from the Agitos Foundation (set up by the International Paralympic Committee and it is hoped that through the project, Inas can establish new and sustainable links across Africa which will see more athletes with an intellectual competing in Inas and Paralympic sport. Although 120 athletes within the classification group competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games – none represented African nations – something Inas wishes to see change in 2016.