Virtus Athletes’ Council Welcomes Three New Athlete Members
Virtus is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the Virtus Athletes’ Council, further strengthening athlete representation across the global Virtus movement.
Joining the Council are Alexander Nielsen (Denmark), Luca Venturelli (Italy) and Olívia Kákosy (Hungary).
The three athletes will join existing Council members Haleigh Bates (USA), Dimitrios Arapoglou (Greece) and Madeleine McTernan (Australia) under the leadership of Chair Lenine Cunha (Portugal).
Their appointment continues the important work of the Virtus Athletes’ Council, a body established in 2025 to ensure athletes have a direct voice in shaping the future of the organisation.
The creation of the Council marked a historic milestone in Virtus’ 40-year journey. Since its foundation in 1986, Virtus has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete at the highest levels of international sport. The launch of the Athletes’ Council represented the next step in that evolution – moving beyond creating opportunities to compete and empowering athletes to actively influence the decisions that affect them.
The Council was officially launched during the 2025 Virtus General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt, where Portuguese Paralympic medallist and Virtus Ambassador Lenine Cunha was appointed as its inaugural Chair.
“I want to raise awareness and motivate other athletes with an intellectual disability to compete at high-level sport through this council“, says Alexander.
Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished athletes in Virtus history, Lenine has won more than 260 international medals throughout his career and made history in 2024 by becoming the first athlete with an intellectual disability elected to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes’ Council.
(L-R) Virtus Athletes’ Council members: Alexander Nielsen, Madeleine McTernan, Lenine Cunha, Olívia Kákosy, Luca Venturelli, Haleigh Bates and Dimitrios Arapoglou.
Launching the Council in Cairo, Lenine spoke passionately about the importance of athlete leadership and representation. For Lenine, the mission has always been clear: ensuring athletes with intellectual disabilities are represented not only on the field of play but also in the rooms where decisions are made.
“Being part of the Council taught me that true inclusion is not just a beautiful word – it is constant action. It is fighting to make sure that everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of the type of disability.”
The Athletes’ Council provides a formal platform for athletes to share ideas, contribute to strategic planning, raise concerns and help guide the future direction of Virtus. Through regular engagement with athletes across all regions and eligibility groups, the Council helps ensure that athlete experiences remain central to the organisation’s decision-making.
As Virtus reflects on four decades of progress, the Athletes’ Council stands as one of the most significant developments in its history. It reflects a commitment to listening to athletes, valuing their experiences and empowering them as leaders within the movement.
With the addition of Alexander Nielsen, Luca Venturelli and Olívia Kákosy, the Council continues to grow as a diverse and representative body that reflects the strength of the global Virtus community.
As we mark four decades of progress, opportunity and achievement, Virtus proudly celebrates the creation of the Athletes’ Council as one of the defining milestones of our 40-year journey. We thank our athlete leaders for stepping forward to represent their peers, challenge barriers and inspire change. Their commitment ensures that the voices, experiences and aspirations of athletes will continue to guide Virtus for generations to come.
