‘United for Change’ Hosted By Virtus and Partners in Dominican Republic

Virtus, in collaboration with the Dominican Paralympic Committee (COPADOM), CRESO, and the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC), proudly hosted “United for Change” as part of a landmark three-day Paralympic Sports Festival and Inclusion Fair in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from September 11–13, 2025.

The event brought together 153 accredited participants from 31 countries in the region, who engaged in high-level training on eligibility, classification, sports management, and leadership development led by Virtus experts.

Over three days, participants took part in sessions on eligibility and classification for athletes with intellectual impairments, delivered by Prof. Jan Burns MBE, Head of Eligibility at Virtus, alongside workshops in sports administration and management, led by Virtus Secretary General Barry Holman, Virtus Americas President Humberto Ferreira, and Patricia Giampa.

Prof. Jan Burns MBE highlighted the transformative nature of the gathering.

“It is a great privilege to be at the United for Inclusion event here in the Dominican Republic. Many thanks to the sponsors and organisers for creating such a groundbreaking event. We had over 153 delegates from 31 countries learning about eligibility and classification for athletes with intellectual impairments. The event is living up to its name, with all participants committed to ensuring that everyone—no matter their disabilities—has the opportunity to succeed in sport and in life.”

The significance of the event was further underscored by the presence of Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), who praised Virtus’ efforts and reaffirmed the IPC’s commitment to athletes with an intellectual impairment. Emphasising the global importance of increasing athlete participation, Andrew said,

“It is very important for me to be here today to be part of the history of the Americas, for Virtus and for II athletes. Athletes with an intellectual impairment exist and are important for the International Paralympic Committee and for the Paralympic Movement. They are a fundamental part of the IPC. We will continue working closely with Virtus to ensure more eligible II athletes can participate in more sports, across both the Summer and Winter Games.”

The program opened with a vibrant welcome ceremony and a special presentation from CRESO, and concluded with the Paralympic Sports Festival and Inclusion Fair on September 13, showcasing both the athletic talent and the inclusive spirit that defined the event.

Sharing the success of the #UnitedForInclusion event, Michele Formonte, CEO of Americas Paralympic Committee said,

“United for Inclusion has shown that when 31 nations come together with a shared purpose, inclusion stops being an ideal and becomes concrete action. Thanks to Virtus, today we take a giant step so that every athlete with an intellectual disability in the Americas can find a clear path to high-performance sport and, above all, to a life full of opportunities.”

By combining training, celebration, and collaboration, United for Change marked a milestone moment in the Americas. The initiative not only strengthened the capacity of National Paralympic Committees but also reinforced Virtus’ mission to expand opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairments, ensuring their rightful place at the heart of the global Paralympic Movement.