Virtus Sport

15/09/2026

For 40 years, Virtus has created opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment to compete, develop and excel in sport. Today, partnerships with International Sport Federations are helping take that mission even further.

From World Taekwondo, World Karate Federation, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the EDGA, to International Hockey Federation (FIH), World Sailing, WBSC and the World Tennis, these collaborations are creating new sporting pathways and connecting more athletes to the international stage.

From the mat to the golf course, sailing water, hockey pitch, baseball diamond and tennis court – partnerships are opening doors to what’s possible.

Read more: https://virtus.sport/virtus-partnerships-building-pathways-to-new-opportunities

14/09/2026

In team sport, you’re never competing alone. 🏀

Your decisions can have an impact far beyond your own performance – including on the teammates who train, compete and celebrate alongside you.

In one competition, three players on the same basketball team used prohibited substances, and the consequences reached the whole team, with their points and medal lost.
It’s a powerful reminder that your choices can affect the teammates who train and compete alongside you.

Know what you’re taking. Ask questions when you’re unsure. And remember: protecting clean sport also means protecting your team.

08/09/2026

🇫🇷 Une déclaration qui résonne avec notre mobilisation.
Aujourd’hui, lors de la Conférence nationale du handicap, le Président de la République Emmanuel Macron est revenu sur l’héritage des Jeux de Paris 2024 et sur la nécessité de faire vivre cette dynamique dans la durée.

Il a notamment déclaré souhaiter que la France soutienne, dans les prochains mois, auprès du Comité international olympique, une meilleure représentation des personnes handicapées dans les grandes compétitions sportives, et plus particulièrement des personnes avec un trouble du neurodéveloppement ou un handicap intellectuel, notamment les personnes avec trisomie 21.

Une déclaration qui marque une étape importante.

Depuis le lancement de , nous portons une conviction simple : les athlètes avec un handicap intellectuel doivent pouvoir retrouver leur place aux Jeux Paralympiques.

🎥 Écoutez sa déclaration.

✍️ Continuons à faire entendre cette voix. Signez et partagez la tribune.
https://www.jeux2030inclusifs.fr/
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🇬🇧 A statement that strongly resonates with our movement.
Today, during France’s National Disability Conference, President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the legacy of Paris 2024 and the need to keep this momentum alive.

He stated that France wishes to support, in the coming months, greater representation of people with disabilities in major sporting competitions, particularly people with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities, including people with Down syndrome.

An important step towards greater inclusion.

Since the launch of , we have stood for a simple belief: athletes with intellectual disabilities should have the opportunity to return to the Paralympic Games.

🎥 Watch his statement.

✍️ Add your voice. Sign and share the statement.
https://www.jeux2030inclusifs.fr/en/


Camille Galliard-Minier Paralympic Games France Paralympique Fédération Française du Sport Adapté - FFSA Virtus Sport Ministère des Solidarités

07/09/2026

From the early World Games to today’s international football and futsal competitions, Virtus has created opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability to represent their countries, build confidence and compete as part of a team.

With 7 World competitions, 5 European competitions and a long history at the Global Games, football and futsal continue to grow as important parts of the Virtus movement.

As Virtus celebrates 40 years, we honour the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and member organisations who have shaped this journey — and the teams still to come. 💙

Read the full story – https://virtus.sport/virtus-football-futsal-teamwork-passion-and-opportunity

Virtus is the brand name of the International Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment and is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the UK (1173901)

04/09/2026

The Ecole Mont-Olivet Adapted Judo Grand Slam brought together 22 athletes with an intellectual impairment, showcasing skill, determination and the competitive spirit of judo on an international stage.

With athletes from Great Britain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia and beyond, the competition highlighted the growing reach and opportunities for adapted judo. 🌍

From powerful throws to hard-fought battles, the athletes showed once again that when opportunity meets talent, anything is possible. 💪

👏 Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches and organisers who made this event possible!

31/08/2026

Since 2016, Virtus Equestrian has grown from a new initiative into an international programme, creating more opportunities for riders with intellectual impairments to compete and shine.

From the pioneering Para Equestrian Video Competition to the first live Virtus para-dressage competition at Vichy 2023, innovation has helped break down barriers and bring riders together from around the world.

As Virtus marks 40 years, we celebrate everyone who has helped shape this journey – and the riders who continue to show what is possible. 💙🐎

Read the full story: https://virtus.sport/virtus-equestrian-building-new-pathways-through-partnership-and-innovation

Equestrian stands as one of the organisation's newest and most innovative sports. Since joining the Virtus programme in 2016, it has created international opportunities for riders with an intellectual disability to compete in one of the world's most technical and demanding disciplines. Built on prec...

28/08/2026

Great News coming from Puerto Rico!

Virtus Puerto Rico has received a $15,000 contribution from Amazon to support high-level sporting opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability, Down syndrome and autism.

“On behalf of Virtus Puerto Rico, our Board of Directors, athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families, we express our sincere gratitude to Amazon for this extraordinary support. This generous contribution represents much more than a financial gift. It demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to the communities it serves and its confidence in our mission. Their support helps our athletes reach their full potential and proudly represent Puerto Rico on national and international stages,” said Miguel Caraballo Fred, President of Virtus Puerto Rico.

Read the full story: https://virtus.sport/amazon-supports-virtus-puerto-rico-with-15000-contribution-to-advance-inclusive-sports-opportunities

Dorado, Puerto Rico — Virtus Puerto Rico received a $15,000 contribution from Amazon in support of the organization’s mission to provide high-level athletic opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and autism. The contribution will help strengthen programs that ...

27/08/2026

Can an athlete really be blamed when a supplement they trusted contains a prohibited substance? And where does athlete responsibility begin and end?

🎙️ Join Juliana Soares, Virtus Anti-Doping Manager, in conversation with Luciana Corrêa de Oliveira, Legal Assistant at FIBA, as they explore the risks of contaminated supplements, athlete responsibility and what you can do to protect yourself.

💡 Know the risks. Make informed choices. Stay clean.

▶️ Watch the latest Talk with Expert and learn why “I didn’t know” may not be enough.

Join Juliana Soares

26/08/2026

On 25 July, the world came together for the second World Intellectual Disability Day, celebrating the voices, achievements, talents and contributions of people with an intellectual disability.

From athletes and Virtus members to the International Paralympic Committee, Paralympic Committees across Asia, Europe and the Americas, the World Karate Federation, and organisations around the world, the response showed the power of coming together for inclusion.

📊 1.45M views. 130.9K interactions. A global movement gaining momentum.

But beyond the numbers were the stories shared, perceptions challenged, and voices amplified.

As Virtus celebrates 40 years of championing excellence through sport, we're looking ahead to a future where World Intellectual Disability Day becomes an even stronger platform for visibility, inclusion and belonging.

🎥 Watch our celebration video and read the full story: https://virtus.sport/one-month-on-celebrating-the-global-impact-of-world-intellectual-disability-day

One month ago, on 25 July, the Virtus family, organisations and supporters from around the world came together to celebrate the second World Intellectual Disability Day – and the message has never been stronger. Launched by Virtus in 2025, World Intellectual Disability Day is growing into a global...