Lenine Cunha: Building a Legacy of Inclusion and Leadership Beyond Sport For Athletes With an Intellectual Disability

For more than three decades, the Portuguese athlete has inspired the world through his performances on the track and field. But in 2024, Lenine achieved something even bigger than medals – he made history by becoming the first athlete with an intellectual disability ever elected to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes’ Council.

It was a milestone not only for Lenine but for millions of athletes with an intellectual disability around the world whose voices had long been underrepresented within the Paralympic Movement.

A Career Built on Excellence and Perseverance

Lenine’s international career began in 2000, and over the years, he established himself as one of the most successful athletes in Virtus history.

Across his remarkable journey, he has won more than 270 international medals, including a bronze medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, multiple titles and gold medals at the Virtus Global Games and appearances at three Paralympic Games – Sydney 2000, London 2012 and Rio 2016. He also became one of the very few athletes to compete and win medals at all six editions of the Virtus Global Games. Lenine also won the ‘best male athlete‘ title in 2017 and 2022 Virtus awards for his outstanding sporting achievements.

While Lenine’s athletic achievements are extraordinary, he is using his voice and the sport as a medium to advocate for greater inclusion and representation for athletes with an intellectual disability.

A Historic Election – Making the Invisible Visible

In 2024, Lenine was shortlisted as a candidate for the IPC Athletes’ Council elections during the Paris Paralympic Games – a historic first for an athlete with an intellectual disability.

His campaign focused on one clear message: athletes with an intellectual disability deserved to have a voice in decisions shaping the future of Paralympic sport.

For Lenine, representation was deeply personal.

“As someone who has spent his entire life with this invisible disability and made a career out of it, I understand the challenges and discrimination faced by athletes like me,” he shared during his campaign.

He spoke passionately about creating more inclusive pathways, increasing visibility for intellectual impairment within the Paralympic Movement and supporting athletes both during and after their sporting careers. His message resonated across the Paralympic Village.

In September 2024, history was made.

Lenine Cunha was elected to the IPC Athletes’ Council with the highest number of votes among all candidates. The achievement marked a defining moment for the Paralympic Movement and for Virtus, proving that athletes with an intellectual disability not only belong in elite sport but also in leadership and decision-making roles at the highest level.

From Athlete to Leader

Lenine’s leadership journey continued in 2025 when he was appointed Chair of the newly launched Virtus Athletes’ Council during the Virtus General Assembly in Cairo.

The creation of the council represented another important step in strengthening athlete representation within Virtus, ensuring athletes remain at the heart of decision-making processes.

Addressing delegates in Cairo, Lenine delivered a powerful message:

“Paralympic sport is about much more than competition. It is about giving a voice to those who are too often unheard. This past year, I have worked every single day to ensure that these athletes are seen, respected, and included fairly. I’ve worked to make sure their talent and dedication are recognised – not just every four years, but every day: on the tracks, in the fields, in the pools, and in the decisions that shape the future of the Paralympic Movement”

He also reminded athletes with intellectual disability that their value extends far beyond results and medals.

As Virtus celebrates its 40th anniversary, we celebrate Lenine Cunha’s leadership and advocacy for athletes with an intellectual disability, along with his outstanding sporting career. Lenine Cunha has inspired thousands, showing future generations that athletes with intellectual disability can not only compete among the best in the world – they can help shape the future of sport itself.