Virtus Launches International Day for People with an Intellectual Impairment with Global Success

25 July 2025 will forever stand as a historic moment for Virtus — a day that marked the official global launch of the International Day for People with an Intellectual Impairment (IDPwII). The digital celebration resonated across continents, uniting voices in a powerful call for visibility, recognition, and inclusion.

The day saw overwhelming participation from Virtus members worldwide, with support pouring in from International Federations, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and regional and national Paralympic committees — all joining virtually to mark the beginning of a bold new movement.

Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, praised the initiative and underscored its importance:

“I just want to congratulate Virtus for the launch of the International Day for People with an Intellectual Impairment. It is so important to have one day to celebrate the achievements of this population, especially when we talk about Paralympic sport and Para sport. Athletes with an intellectual impairment are at the heart of the Paralympic movement, so to celebrate this day, the 25th of July, it’s just an incredible feeling. Congratulations.”

Marc Truffaut, President of Virtus, echoed that sentiment with conviction:

“We really needed this day. One day, dedicated to people with an intellectual impairment, when they can celebrate their achievements and feel proud. It’s time that this community gets the light and recognition they deserve.”

“Virtus has a huge workforce of volunteers who are the backbone of this organisation. And it was truly an inspiring experience for everyone. On behalf of Virtus, I want to thank everyone who joined us in the launch of this global observance day and made it a grand success,” he further added. 

Virtus members from around the world expressed their joy in celebrating the day:

“Our social media platforms were flooded with joyful images of our athletes celebrating across the country. But beyond the celebrations, we could see the power of this day to show the world the strength and spirit of our athletes. It was truly an inspiring experience for all of us — one that reminded us why we do what we do, and how sport has the power to unite, uplift, and give purpose,” said Ebrahiem Ahmed,  official from ESFID, Virtus member in Egypt.

The launch timing aligned with two major events — the 2025 Virtus World Para Dressage Championship in Sparsholt and the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul — further amplifying the global reach and significance of the day.

Reflecting on the overwhelming response, Mousumi Mazumdar, Marketing and Communication Officer at Virtus, shared:

“When we decided to launch IDPwII digitally, we were a little anxious as you cannot anticipate the level of participation. But, we were thrilled to see such a fantastic response from all our members, IFs, IPC, NPCs and most importantly, the athletes. Our social media channels got flooded with amazing content from around the world. We could see how eagerly our community was waiting for this day. We can only imagine how big the future editions will get and the impact of this day on millions of people who are living with an intellectual impairment around the world.”

Looking ahead, Virtus envisions the International Day for People with an Intellectual Impairment as a powerful annual platform — one that will not only celebrate, but also spotlight the challenges this community faces. From raising awareness and breaking down barriers, to challenging and changing perceptions and building a truly inclusive world — IDPwII is here to lead the way.