World Intellectual Impairment Sport expects Santiago del Estero swimming Championships will break new ground
The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) is confident that the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Open Championships (Americas) in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, will set the standard for future events.
A site visit by World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Committee Chairperson Dave Harman took place between 19-23 March. Harman was shown around the venue and was introduced to a variety of dignitaries from local and state government. He also met key personnel from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and National Federation.
The media launch was also held during the four day visit.
“I have returned from Argentina with great confidence that Santiago del Estero has the potential to raise the bar for our swimming Championships, led by the Argentina Federation for Sports for People with Intellectual Impairments [FADDIM],” Harman said.
“I am very impressed with the newly built venue, Madre de Ciudades, but I was also introduced to a range of people who demonstrated a clear commitment to staging an excellent event.
“I was struck by the enthusiasm from the National Swimming Federation, from the clear interest of the State Governor, Dr. Gerardo Zamora, and the positivity of the Chief of the State Cabinet and the various ministers I met. This kind of support is unprecedented but crucial to the success and reach of the competition.
“The work that Technical Manager Patricio Ramallo, Argentinian Swimming Confederation Secretary Sergio Antonini and Aquatic Complex Director Professor Claudio Mentenego have already considered and put into place reassures me that theses Championships will be yet another milestone in the rising quality of World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming events.
“My thanks must also go to Professor Carlos Dapello, the State Secretary of Sport, Professor Franco Petta, the President of FADDIM, Professor Gabriela Viglino and Dr. Julian Britez for their work towards Santiago del Estero 2018. There is a great deal of experience of organising major international events within the group which I am sure will provide huge benefits.”
Harman discussed a variety of topics with the LOC and their supporters including logistics, transport, media and marketing, accommodation and broadcast. Organisers have committed to livestreaming the competition, the plans for which will be reviewed over the coming months.
About Santiago del Estero
The competition, which runs from 29 August – 2 September, is the first regional competition of its kind in any World Intellectual Impairment Sport sport in the Americas. Around 160 athletes from 10 countries are expected to compete. World Intellectual Impairment Sport has applied to World Para Swimming for sanctioning and classification.
Santiago del Estero 2018 is one of the last major events ahead of the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia. The Games are the world’s biggest gathering of elite athletes with intellectual impairments. They will a;so be a major step on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
