Posts

Preview: Biggest gathering of swimmers since Rio 2016 set for November

/in /by

A photo montage of athletes with intellectual impairments

Three International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Championships will see more of the world’s best athletes go for medals in November.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

With 150 athletes from 20 countries, the competition will be the biggest gathering of swimmers since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Taking place in Aguascalientes, Mexico, between 27 November – 4 December it will also be one of the marquee events of 2017.

Returning champions such as Chinese Taipei’s Jo Lin Tu headline the field. Tu dominated at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador in 2015, winning the women’s 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly.

One of her main rivals, Australia’s Jade Lucy, will try to defend her 400m and 800m freestyle titles. Teammate Nikesha Sophia Harding is also the women’s 50m breaststroke champion.

In the men’s Brazilian Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real will look to retain his 200m butterfly gold from 2015. He will also try and improve on silver from the 50m fly.

Live updates, videos and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships

Loano, Italy, is preparing to host the World Championships between 20-26 November.

Australia have dominated the court in recent years and return as the women’s 3×3 champions. The Pearls could face Japan in a rematch of their gold medal game in Ecuador from 2015.

Senior players in Eliza Mills, Kim Perry, Molly Urguhart-Moran, Kaitlyn Papworth and Nicole Harris form the core of the Australian team.

The men’s competition will feature the 5×5 format. Games get underway on 22 November.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Indoor Rowing Championships

The 2017 edition of the Championships will take place in Gavirate, Italy, from 25-26 November.

Races in the 500m and 1,000m individual men’s and women’s and mixed relays will be contested.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

Torneo Internacional de Futbol

Calbuco, Chile, will host this international tournament between 6-10 November.

The competition has been sanctioned by World Intellectual Impairment Sport in the build-up to the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Football Championships in Karlstad, Sweden, from 2-18 August.

#SupportTheBest: dinner and auction

World Intellectual Impairment Sport will host a dinner and auction in aid of the world’s best athletes at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield, Great Britain, on 23 November. Auction lots include trips to World Intellectual Impairment Sport Championships in 2018, signed sports memorabilia and much more.

More information and tickets is available here.

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. 

 

Australia reveal team for 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

/in /by

A series of swimmers with intellectual impairments dive into the pool

By Sport Inclusion Australia

A team of 10 Australian swimmers will take on the world’s best at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, from the 28 November – 3 December.

Returning to South America after their domination of the pool at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador, team officials are confident of another strong showing.

Four athletes will make their international debut alongside some more established swimmers.

In the women’s events Jade Lucy and Jaime-Lee Getson impressed in 2015 winning multiple medals between them.  Both swimmers return with promising qualifying times. Nikesha Harding is also expected to feature on the podium in individual events.

Australia’s women dominated the relays in Ecuador and will be keen for another good performance in Mexico.  Lucy, Harding and Getson will be joined by India Biesse-Fitton and debutants Casey Stevens and Bronte Marshall in the relay events.

“While most swimmers will have a large number of individual events we look forward to focusing on the relays, which will provide an opportunity for our younger swimmers to experience the pressure of swimming for a medal,”  Herbie Howard, Head Coach, said.

Patrick Donachie debuted for Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics winning gold in the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay at the age of 17.  Seventeen years later he is still swimming for Australia.

Donachie will contest the men’s 50m butterfly, backstroke and freestyle events along with the 100m freestyle and backstroke in Mexico. He is expected to team up with his fellow swimmers in the relays.

“Patrick has been a senior statesman of our swim teams for many years and has been a wonderful team captain and mentor for the younger swimmers, it is a pleasure to have him on our team again,” Tracy Lawrence, Australian Team Manager, said.

Donachie will be joined by Ben Morrison and debutants Ben Stokes and Jarrod Lee in the men’s relay events.

Full Australian team roster

Men
Patrick Donachie
Ben Morrison
Ben Stokes
Jarrod Lee

Women
Casey Stevens

Jade Lucy
India Biesse-Fitton

Jamie – Lee Getson
Nikesha Harding
Bronte Marshall

Funding

As a self-funded team, a Mycause page to assist with the cost of representing Australia at the Championships has been set-up.

Aguascalientes 2017 is expected to attract around 150 athletes from 20 countries – the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment this year.

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships will be hoested in Aguascalientes

Preparations intensify for World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Champs

/in /by

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has carried out the latest site visit to Aguascalientes, Mexico, the location of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships.

With less than 50 days until the competition gets underway on 28 November, swimming Sport Director Dave Harman spent 48 hours in Aguascalientes in early October. He assessed progress in a number of areas including timing, medical, broadcast, branding and volunteers with the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

“Only a few weeks remain before 150 of the world’s best athletes from 20 countries arrive for the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships,” Harman said. “As this is the biggest competition for swimmers with an intellectual impairment since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, it is important that everything is run to the highest possible standard.

“With the help of the Aguascalientes Institute of Sport the LOC are making good progress and things are starting to fall into place. We are particularly excited by the interest from Mexican television and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. As ever these people will be a huge part of the success of the event.

“There is still a lot to do in order to make Aguascalientes 2017 the best it can be, but we are confident that the LOC is firmly headed in the right direction.”

During the site visit Harman was shown plans to brand the Jesús Terán Peredo airport where most teams will arrive. Some striking look elements for the competition venue – the Alberca Olimpica swimming pool – were also presented to World Intellectual Impairment Sport.

Aguascalientes 2017 will run from 28 November – 3 December and is being organised by the Federación Mexicana de Deportistas Especiales (FEMEDE). As well as athletes with intellectual impairments, trial groups for Down’s syndrome and autism will also be contested for the first time.

Statement on 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

/in /by

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport logo

 

 

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has confirmed that the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, will go ahead as planned from 27 November – 4 December.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President Marc Truffaut said: “On behalf of the whole World Intellectual Impairment Sport family I would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to the people of Mexico City and the surrounding areas affected by the terrible earthquake on Tuesday.

“Today World Intellectual Impairment Sport officials have been in contact with the organisers of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships and they have confirmed that the host city of Aguascalientes, which is some 500km north of the worst affected areas of the country, has not been affected.

“At this point we would like to reassure athletes and teams preparing for the Championships in Aguascalientes that the competition will go ahead as planned.”

 

Support us

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.

Progress in Australia for swimmers with Down’s syndrome

/in /by

Logo of Sport Inclusion Australia

 

 

 

 

 

By Sport Inclusion Australia and World Intellectual Impairment Sport

Sport Inclusion Australia and Down Syndrome Swimming Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to promote opportunities for swimmers with Down’s syndrome.

The partnership follows the trial expansion of the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) programme to athletes with an intellectual impairment and significant additional impairment (Down’s syndrome) and athletes with high functioning autism. As a member of World Intellectual Impairment Sport, Sport Inclusion Australia is reflecting this change at a national level.

The trial initiated discussions between Sport Inclusion Australia and Down Syndrome Swimming Australia to work in collaboration to ensure better opportunities and resourcing were provided to swimmers.

“We have worked extremely closely with Down Syndrome Swimming Australia since its inception, due to our shared philosophy, so it is extremely exciting to be signing this MOU to ensure that opportunities for swimmers with Down’s syndrome continue to be improved,” said Robyn Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Inclusion Australia.

With a proven record working with sporting organisations to provide opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment, and with changes made to expand their charter to include a wider remit, Sport Inclusion Australia will now represent athletes with Down’s syndrome when liaising with National Sporting Organisations.

“We are pleased to formalise our working arrangements with Sport Inclusion Australia, particularly with the World Intellectual Impairment Sport mandate to expand international competition to include our swimmers.” Said Simon Cox, President of Down Syndrome Swimming Australia.

The first World Intellectual Impairment Sport event to include Down’s syndrome as a trial additional eligibility group will be the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, from 28 November – 3 December.

The 9th Down Syndrome Swimming World Championships will then be held in Canada in July 2018.  Locally the Down Syndrome Swimming Australia short course National Championships will be held in Geelong from the 23-24 September.

Formerly known as AUSRAPID, Sport Inclusion Australia was established in 1986 to provide opportunities for people with integration difficulties, primarily intellectual disability. Their vision is “community inclusion through sport”.

Working closely with National Sporting Organisations, Sport Inclusion Australia has been instrumental in ensuring that people with an intellectual impairment have opportunities to participate in the sport of their choice. Through their work with the Australian Paralympic Committee and World Intellectual Impairment Sport, athletes also have an elite competition pathway should they choose.

Previously Down Syndrome Swimming Down Under, Down Syndrome Swimming Australia was formed in 2004 to enable swimmers to compete in quality international competition.

Support us

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.

Preview: Half marathon Euros headline September

/in /by

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. 

Eligibility workshop to be hosted in Aguascalientes

/in /by

Adrian Rahier swimming in xxx swimming competition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has announced that a workshop on athlete eligibility will be held during the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The workshop will take place on 1 December and will be led by Professor Jan Burns MBE, Chairperson of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Eligibility Committee.

It is designed to help people working in National Federations understand the World Intellectual Impairment Sport eligibility process. Some recent developments, including the trials of additional impairment groups for athletes with Down’s syndrome and autism, will also be highlighted and explained.

Delegates can register at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website and Professor Burns encouraged people to take part:

“As this is the first swimming Championships to take place in the Americas, part of its success will be the legacy that is left behind and we hope that coaches, team members and representatives from federations will come along.

“The workshop is open to all World Intellectual Impairment Sport members but we particularly encourage those from the Americas region to attend. Aguascalientes 2017 provides a great opportunity for our colleagues in the area to learn more about eligibility.

“We are also trying to raise awareness of the crucial role World Intellectual Impairment Sport has in helping athletes go forward to compete in Paralympic competition as well as other elite level events.“

Para-sport has a classification process which all athletes must go through in order to compete. Athletes with an intellectual impairment must meet the criteria as defined by World Intellectual Impairment Sport which are based on the World Health Organisation and American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities definitions.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport manages this process before athletes then go on to be classified according to the sport they compete in.

The workshop is being organised and hosted by FEMEDE (Federación Mexicana de Deportistas Especiales), the Local Organising Committee of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships.

The competition itself is expected to attract around 150 swimmers from 20 countries between 28 November – 3 December and is being sanctioned by World Para Swimming.

Support us

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 society without your support.

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

Countries name teams for swimming World Championships

/in /by

Credit: Getty Images

A series of countries have named their best swimmers with an intellectual impairment who will compete at the 2017 World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City between 30 September – 6 October.

Rio 2016 hosts Brazil will be aiming to build off their performances from last year’s Paralympic Games, fielding two S14 swimmers.

Felipe Vila Real and Beatriz Borges Carneiro will compete in the men’s and women’s events respectively. Vila Real is a multiple medallist and champion from the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Global Games in 2015.

Amongst a 26-strong team travelling to Mexico from Great Britain is World Intellectual Impairment Sport Ambassador and Rio 2016 medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate. The 20-year-old left Brazil with two silver medals from the women’s 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley. Applegate is also the defending 100m backstroke world champion.

Jack Thomas is another highlight for the British team who returns to the global stage. After a promising performance at the 2014 European Championships where he claimed three medals, Thomas was forced to miss the 2015 Worlds because of a wrist injury.

Jordan Catchpole and Connor Morrison round off the men’s team with Louise Fiddes completing the women’s squad for Great Britain.

“The team we have selected is a strong team based on their impressive performances at the British Summer Championships [in Sheffield, Great Britain],” British head coach Rob Aubry said.

“In Sheffield, we saw athletes break records and show that they were at their best at the right time. What impressed me the most in Sheffield is that they took on board the importance of the meet and showed the best possible race plan at the right time.

“I’m pleased with the continued progress and the support we are able to put around our athletes. We are continuing to strive to be the best both in and out the water.

“In Mexico we will have a tough challenge and we know there will be some new athletes that our athletes will face. It will be testing environment and athletes will be expected to race consistently while continuing training at a key point in the season.”

Fifteen-year-old Lawrence Sapp will make his major international debut for the USA in the men’s S14.

Around 550 swimmers from more than 60 countries are expected to compete at the Francisco Marquez Olympic Swimming Pool during the 2017 World Para Swimming Championships.

Many of the same athletes will then return to Mexico for the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes between 28 November – 3 December. The competition will be the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment of 2017.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships sanctioned by World Para Swimming, mascot revealed

/in /by

The mascot of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The global governing body of para swimming, World Para Swimming, has sanctioned the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships taking place from 28 November – 3 December in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The status means that results achieved by swimmers in the intellectual impairment classification, known as S14, will count towards the world rankings and any world records will be recognised.

The Local Organising Committee also revealed the mascot for Aguascalientes 2017 – a chicken named Rooster complete with swimming cap, trunks and goggles.

The biggest competition for athletes with an intellectual impairment, the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships take place every two years and are a crucial stop on the road to the Paralympic Games and the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games. The programme features all strokes, distances and relays.

Aguascalientes 2017 is open to swimmers from all around the world and will feature athletes with Down’s syndrome and autism competing in two additional eligibility groups for the first time as part of an World Intellectual Impairment Sport trial. Around 150 swimmers from 20 countries are expected to compete.

The 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games is set to take place in Brisbane, Australia, and is tipped to be the most competitive in history as athletes build towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Support us

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 society without your support.

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

 

Swimming Championships to go ahead in Aguascalientes

/in /by

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has confirmed that the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships will go ahead in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Crucial documentation, which confirms that the competition pool is suitable for major international competition, has now been received from the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

Earlier in July World Intellectual Impairment Sport informed the LOC, the Federación Mexicana de Deportistas Especiales (FEMEDE), that it would be forced to find another venue for the Championships if the paperwork was not made available.

With everything now in place, World Intellectual Impairment Sport have confirmed that entries have re-opened and the event will go ahead from 27 November – 4 December.

Nick Parr, Executive Director of World Intellectual Impairment Sport, said: “We are delighted to have solved this issue with the LOC and are looking forward to a great event later on this year.

“Whilst the site visit at the end of June identified uncertainty around the competition pool, the organisers showed a high level of commitment to staging a memorable Championships.

“They have ambitious plans for infrastructure, athlete facilities and media and broadcasting and we are excited to see what they can deliver for one of our most important events.”

Around 150 athletes from 20 countries are expected to compete in Aguascalientes at the biggest and most important event for swimmers with intellectual impairments in 2017.

Support us

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 and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in society without your support.

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