Robyn Smith OAM Elected First Female President of Virtus — A New Era for Global Inclusion in Sport

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Virtus – the International Sport Federation for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment – has elected Robyn Smith OAM as its first female President, marking a historic milestone for global sport inclusion and leadership diversity.
Ms Smith, who has worked in the inclusion movement since 1989, was elected during the 2025 Virtus General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt, where Virtus Members from all five regions gathered to shape the future of the organisation towards its 40-year anniversary and celebrate its remarkable history of advancing inclusion through sport.
Addressing the Virtus members at the 2025 Virtus General Assembly after being elected as Virtus President, Robyn Smith OAM said,
⁠“It is a huge honour and a humbling moment to be elected President,” said Smith in her acceptance speech. “I have been privileged to work in this field since the early days of INAS-FMH and to meet and learn from all our past Presidents. Today, to stand here as the first female President of Virtus is both an honour and a responsibility.”
Ms Smith paid tribute to her predecessors – Hans Lindstrom, Bernard Atha, Bob Price, Amaury Russo, and Marc Truffaut – as well as to Marie Little, a founding Board member of INAS-FMH, who mentored her as a young woman and inspired her belief that gender should never be a barrier to leadership.
⁠“Marie had a huge passion for the power of sport to improve lives. She taught me that we must focus on the person first – on strength and ability rather than labels. She would be immensely proud to see how far Virtus has come,” Smith reflected.

As CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia since 1991, Smith has been instrumental in growing Virtus’ global reach and strengthening its partnership with the International Paralympic Committee. Under her leadership, Virtus has welcomed new members through social impact programs delivered across Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Looking to the future, Ms Smith outlined her goals for Virtus:
Growing membership to 150 nations, particularly across Africa, Oceania, Central Asia, and the Caribbean.
Expanding athlete pathways in collaboration with international federations to ensure every sport includes Virtus athletes.
Supporting new countries to bid for Virtus events and building the next generation of athlete leaders.
Strengthening the eligibility system to ensure fairness, integrity, and global consistency.
⁠“Virtus is a family bound by passion for our athletes,” Smith said.
“It doesn’t matter where we come from or what language we speak – their progress drives us to give them the best possible opportunities. Our role is to ensure every athlete is seen, heard, and included.”
Ms. Smith also thanked outgoing President Marc Truffaut and Secretary General Barry Holman for their leadership and dedication, acknowledging their contributions to Virtus’ growth and governance.
She extended her gratitude to other retiring Board colleagues, including Amal Mobadda (Egypt), Patrick Chan (Hong Kong), Birol Aydin (Turkey), and Helen Croxford (Australia), for their commitment to advancing inclusion worldwide.
⁠“We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” Smith concluded.
“I will do my very best to make them proud and to ensure Virtus continues to grow, inspire, and lead the global movement for inclusion through sport.”
Ms Smith closed the Assembly with a heartfelt and emotional inauguration speech, thanking the member organisations and staff, and affirming her determination and commitment toward progress.