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Research into pacing for athletes with intellectual impairments

Vital research funded into pacing for athletes with intellectual impairments

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) will receive funding from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to carry out classification research in athletics, swimming, Nordic skiing and cycling.

The project focuses on what impact intellectual impairments have on pacing in endurance sports. It will be carried out by the Leuven University in Belgium.

A growing number of scientists believe that pacing is linked to the brain. Several things affect this area of sport – the ability to plan tactics ahead of, and responding to tiredness during, a race and reacting to the actions of opponents.

Pacing is at least partly influenced by the intellectual capacity of an athlete. Therefore having an intellectual impairment will affect pacing ability and, as a consequence, the outcome of a race.

Insight in this area will help develop a classification system for Nordic skiing and cycling. It will also improve the existing sport specific tests for athletics and swimming.

Speaking about a total of seven research projects funded from across the para-sport spectrum, IPC Medical Director Peter Van De Vliet said:

“I would like to thank all applicants for their submission. It is great to see how an increasing number of IFs [International Federations] and sports turn their attention to a scientific approach of critically reviewing and further developing their classification system.

“Almost all applications made reference to the concepts of classification research currently adopted by the IPC, and I would like to thank the IPC Classification Research & Development Centres in assisting the IPC in promoting these concepts across the Movement.

“In the end, it was a difficult final selection under the available resources of the Grant Scheme, and the IPC is committed to further support this programme in the next years.”

Chelsey Gotell, IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson, said: “Classification affects all athletes and is heavily discussed within the athlete community. As the Paralympic Movement continues to evolve, it is imperative that every International Federation takes a closer look at their current classification model to ensure that it is appropriately servicing their current and future athletes.

“As each International Federation embarks on critically reviewing their classification process, I urge them to engage their Athletes’ Councils and Athlete Representatives – or the IPC Athletes’ Council if they do not have a current athlete representative model in place – in the process, to ensure that the athlete voice is constructively and effectively incorporated into the future of the sport.”

Applications were reviewed by external scientific experts, and a Selection Committee made the final decision.

The IPC’s Research Grant Scheme was launched in June 2017. International Federations (IFs), International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled (IOSDs) and Recognised International Federations could apply to receive support for the development of sport-specific, evidence-based classification systems as defined in the 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code.

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.

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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.

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.

Hosts Italy announce team 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

Alex Holtz, Alessandro Tomaiuolo and Fabrizio Vallone will represent hosts Italy at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) European Half Marathon Championships on 18 September in Udine.

Being held as part of the 18th edition of the prestigious Maratonina Udinese, runners from Portugal, Spain, Poland and Sweden will also compete. It is the second time the event will be held in Udine following on from 2009.

Holtz returns to major international competition for the first time since the 2011 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games, following a successful national Championships in Rome in July. Vallone and Tomaiuolo both competed at the 2016 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Indoor Championships in Ancona, Italy.

Diego Perez, Giovanni Cotugno, Giuseppe Raffermati and Giorgio Zanmarchi will support the Italian team.

The Italians’ main rivals are Portuguese teammates Jose Azevedo and Paulo Pinheiro.

Azevedo is the reigning world champion whilst Pinheiro holds the European crown and has medalled at every edition of the competition since 2005.

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 people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Preview: Half marathon Euros headline September

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A group of distance runners compete against each other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) events in equestrian and athletics will see athletes take historic titles in September.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Half Marathon Championships

From 16-17 September athletes from four countries will line-up in Udine, Italy, for the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Half Marathon Championships since 2011.

Portugal’s returning champion Paulo Pinheiro is hoping to continue his medal run at the competition, which he first started with gold in 2005. He has gone on to claim a further two silver medals. However he will face tough opponents including teammate Jose Azevedo, the reigning world champion, and Spain’s Asier Santos who claimed Worlds bronze in 2016.

Live updates and pictures from Udine 2017 will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian Video Competition

Teams and riders have until 9 September to enter this innovative dressage event, with the results announced on 18 September.

This is the first equestrian competition to be run by World Intellectual Impairment Sport and, to make it more accessible, all entries will be recorded on video and submitted for judging.

As well as the individual rosettes on offer, a team competition for countries with more than three riders will also be contested.

2017 World Para Swimming World Championships

Taking place in Mexico City, the Worlds will see athletes with intellectual impairments compete in the S14 classification from 30 September. The likes of Great Britain’s Paralympic medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate and Paralympic champion Wai Lok Tang of Hong Kong are expected to go for gold.

Mexico will also host the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in November, the year’s biggest competition for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Live updates will be shared at World Para Swimming’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly

A new President to replace Sir Philip Craven, who has completed the maximum number of terms, will be elected in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Governing Board elections for 10 Members at Large will also be held, with World Intellectual Impairment Sport Vice President Robyn Smith one of the nominees. Voting takes place on 8 September with results published the same day.

The Paralympic Sport and Media Awards will be presented and a number of individuals will be recognised with the Paralympic Order.

Updates will be available at the IPC’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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 people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Preview: Cycling Worlds highlight August’s action

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With the summer season now in full swing, the world’s best athletes with an intellectual impairment continue their quest for glory on the global stage in August.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Cycling Championships

Athletes from nine countries, including hosts the Netherlands, will compete on the road between 1-4 August in and around Assen. The French duo of Jeremy Pereira and Aurelie Minodier are both defending champions, and will contest their titles in the men’s and women’s individual time trial and road race. A team time trial is also scheduled.

Live updates and pictures from Assen 2017 will be available World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

Route maps, results and entries are available at the Championships website.

Table tennis Asian Championships

From 23-31 August Para table tennis players will light up Beijing, China, for one of the most competitive regional Championships in the sport.

More information is available at the International Table Tennis Federation website. 

2017 World Para Athletics Junior Championships

The competition in Nottwil, Switzerland, is the first of its kind and will feature around 275 aspiring young athletes. These will include future stars of track and field with an intellectual impairment competing in T/F20 events.

Portugal’s Ana Filipe will compete on the back of a bronze medal in the women’s long jump T20 at July’s World Championships in London, Great Britain.

Expect a fast and furious few days between 3-6 August as athletes take to the notoriously fast track at the Sport Arena.

More information is available at World Para Athletics’ website.

2017 Pan American Para Taekwondo Championships

Featuring Poomsae for athletes with an intellectual impairment, the Pan Ams will see three age categories contested – junior (12-15 years), under 30 (16-29 years) and over 30.

The event will take place on 29 August in San Jose, Costa Rica.

More information is available at the Pan Am Taekwondo Union’s website.

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 people with intellectual impairments in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

World’s best athletes with an intellectual impairment to return to London

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An intellectually impaired runner

Credit: Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images)

The world’s best athletes with an intellectual impairment have arrived in London, Great Britain, ahead of the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships which get underway on Friday (14 July).

Many of those returning to the Olympic stadium – scene of athletics at the London 2012 Paralympic Games – are International Federation for Intellectual Disability Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games champions, defending world title holders and Paralympic Games medallists.

Headlining the men’s field in T20 track events is Brazilian Daniel Martins, 21. At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Martins won the men’s 400m in world record time.

He made his international debut just the year before at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador where he won the 400m. Later that year he claimed gold at his first World Championships.

Polish teammates Sylwester Jaciuk and Daniel Pek are the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games champions in the men’s 800m and 1,500m, respectively. Pek is the 2016 Paralympic silver medallist.

Japan’s Daisuke Nakagawa is the defending world champion in the men’s 5,000m. Two years ago in Ecuador Nakagawa beat teammate Ryo Kaneko to the Global Games title, with Kaneko settling for silver.

Portugal’s World Intellectual Impairment Sport Ambassador and Global Games gold medallist Lenine Cunha heads out in the men’s long jump T20. He will face tough competition from Rio 2016 silver medallist Zoran Talic of Croatia and Ukraine’s bronze medallist Dmytro Prudnikov.

Cunha is also the Global Games and defending world champion in the triple jump.

In the women’s track events Poland’s Barbara Niewiedzial is the Paralympic champion in the 1,500m. She will go against Ukraine’s Liudmyla Danylina, the Global Games title holder and Rio 2016 silver medallist.

Hungary’s Illona Biacsi just missed out on a medal at the 2015 World Championships but regained some form at the Paralympics, leaving with silver after taking the same colour in Ecuador.

Ewa Durska will look to dominate for Poland once again in the women’s shot put F20. The 40-year-old is unbeaten at a World Championships since 2011 and in 2016 won her third Paralympic title. Durksa is also the Global Games champion.

The 2017 World Para Athletics Championships run from 14-23 July. All the action is being livestreamed at worldparaathetics.org. Fans can follow the T20 events on World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter. 

 

 

 

World Para Athletics Championships to be shown live

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An intellectually impaired runner

The USA’s Breanna Clark celebrates winning gold in the women’s 400m T20 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images for Tokyo 2020).

By World Intellectual Impairment Sport and World Para Athletics

World Para Athletics has announced that all 10 days of action from the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London, Great Britain, will be livestreamed at www.worldparaathletics.org.

Around 1,300 athletes from 100 countries are expected to compete at London 2017 between 14-23 July, contesting 213 medal events.

The event is the first major gathering of international stars since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where athletes set a staggering 69 world records.

Big names set to line-up on the track for hosts Great Britain include Jonnie Peacock, Hannah Cockroft, Richard Whitehead and Georgina Hermitage, who between them have won 13 world and 11 Paralympic titles.

In the field British medal hopes lie with four-time world champion Aled Davies, and Paralympic champions Joanna Butterfield and Hollie Arnold. In the F20 category for athletes with intellectual impairments, Sabrina Fortune will get to experience the roar of a home crowd as the women’s shot put Rio 2016 bronze medallist.

International stars who will light-up the iconic London Stadium include Australia’s men’s shot put F20 world champion Todd Hodgetts, the USA’s women’s 400m T20 Paralympic title-holder Breanna Clark and men’s 1,500m T20 Paralympic and Worlds gold medallist teammate Michael Brannigan.

Dutch sprinter Marlou van Rhijn, Canadian wheelchair ace Brent Lakatos and German long jump sensation Markus Rehm are also expected. The world’s fastest male and female Para athletes – Ireland’s Jason Smyth and Cuba’s Omara Durand – will look to lower their own 100m world records on a track they know well from London 2012.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee’s Director of Media and Communications, said: “London 2017 is promising to be the best World Para Athletics Championships to date with athletes continuing their outstanding from last September’s Paralympic Games.

“Already this year we have seen many of the sport’s leading stars in record breaking form and I expect many more to records fall during 10 days of exhilarating competition.

“Following the phenomenal success of London 2012, the iconic London stadium holds a very special place in the heart of many Para athletes, many of whom will be eager to defend or win world titles in the British capital. The action is not to be missed, so we’re glad to be showing all 54 hours of coverage via our website.”

All morning and evening sessions will be streamed live during the event and expert commentary will be provided by Will Downing and Tulsen Tollett. German Paralympic long jump champion Vanessa Low will join the pair to provide in-depth analysis.

In addition to live streaming all 54 hours of coverage, and providing daily highlights and clips of all races and events, live results will also be provided here.

*Please note the coverage will be geoblocked in certain territories.

Countries name teams for World Para Athletics Championships

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An intellectually impaired runner

The USA’s Breanna Clark celebrates winning gold in the women’s 400m T20 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images for Tokyo 2020).

By World Intellectual Impairment Sport

A series of countries have named top athletes with intellectual impairments to their teams for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, which get underway in London, Great Britain, on 14 July.

The hosts have selected four athletes to compete in T20 and F20 events on the track and field, choosing a mix of youth and experience amongst their 49-strong team as Para athletics returns to the Olympic Park.

Sabrina Fortune will get to experience the roar of a home crowd as the women’s shot put Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medallist.

Middle distance runners James Hamilton and Stephen Morris will go head-to-head in the men’s 800m and 1,500m. Morris will also go for the podium in the 5,000m.

Martina Barber, 22, makes her World Championships debut in the long jump.

Great Britain’s Para athletics head coach Paula Dunn said: “We have selected a very strong team for the World Para Athletics Championships in London, and I am delighted to see so many medallists from Rio lining up alongside some new faces at the senior level. Having a home World Championship is very special for all the athletes, coaches and team staff, so we are all very honoured to be representing the British team this summer.”

The 2019 International Federation for Intellectual Disability Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games hosts Australia are sending two field athletes to London.

Defending men’s shot put world champion Todd Hodgetts takes his place alongside long jumper Nicholas Hum.

Amongst the team representing the USA is Breanna Clark. The 22-year-old made a stunning debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games by winning gold in the women’s 400m.

Compatriot Michael Brannigan is the men’s 1,500m Paralympic and world title holder. He will also be looking to improve on his silver medal from the 2015 Worlds in Doha, Qatar, in the 5,000m.

Kaitlyn Bounds and Michael Murray complete the US line-up.

Paralympic Games hosts Brazil are looking to build on a solid performance from Rio 2016.

Daniel Tavares will try to defend his men’s 400m world title from Doha as the new Paralympic champion and world record holder.

Long jumper Alain Villamarin will compete at his second World Championships for Argentina.

The 2017 World Para Athletics Championships will be held in the same city as the IAAF World Championships for the first time.

London will host approximately 1,300 athletes contesting 213 medal events across 10 days of competition in all classifications.

Tickets and more information is available at the event website.