Virtus Sport

17/04/2026

Play True. Play Fair. Play Clean. 💚

On Play True Day, we celebrate the values of integrity, respect and fairness in sport. Together, we stand for clean sport and the athletes who choose to compete with honesty and pride.

17/04/2026

Play True. Play Fair. Play Clean. 💙

Today, April 17, we celebrate , a global initiative led by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to promote clean sport and the values that define it.
For Virtus, this day reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that athletes with intellectual impairments compete in a fair, safe and inclusive environment. Anti-doping is not just about testing—it is about education, protection and opportunity.

By working closely with partners and providing athlete-centred support, we are helping athletes compete with confidence and integrity, while preparing them for future pathways, including the Paralympic stage.

As we celebrate 40 years of Virtus, we continue to champion a sporting culture where performance is driven by talent, dedication and honesty.

Because true champions play clean!

🔗 Read full article: https://virtus.sport/virtus-joins-wada-to-celebrate-play-true-day-2026-a-commitment-to-cle

Today, April 17th 2026, is celebrated as Play True Day, a global WADA campaign dedicated to clean sport. For Virtus, this date is more than just symbolic; it reflects our ongoing work to ensure that athletes with intellectual impairments (II) compete on a level playing field, protecting both their h...

16/04/2026

Call for registration!

🚨The registration for the Virtus-sanctioned 'Lexus Nottingham Open' is closing on 19th April.

Follow the link below for more information about the event and registration process.

We are pleased to sanction the Lexus Nottingham Open (LTA), an annual professional grass-court tennis tournament held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre in the United Kingdom, typically running in June as a crucial warm-up for Wimbledon. It features a WTA 250 event for women and an ATP Challenger Tour....

14/04/2026

Call for Participants: Autism and Sport Research

A new research study by Canterbury Christ Church University is exploring the experiences of autistic athletes in high-level sport. If you are an athlete, professional, supporter or parent with relevant experience, your insights can make a real difference.

🔗Read more about the research from the link below
👉Take part and help drive more inclusive sport.
📩 Contact: [email protected]

A new research initiative led by Canterbury Christ Church University is seeking to better understand the experiences of athletes with autism in high-level sport, and you could play a vital role in shaping its findings. Virtus is proud to be the only organisation that provides a competition class, II...

12/04/2026

Double medals, dominant wins and world-class racing.

From Cristiano Pereira’s standout performance to commanding victories across multiple categories, Day 1 of the Virtus World Road Championships set the tone for an exciting competition.

Anddi Portugal

The 2026 Virtus World Half Marathon and 10K Championships opened with an impressive display of endurance and international competition, as athletes across multiple classifications delivered high-quality performances on Day 1. In the II1 Women’s Half Marathon, Poland set the tone early with a domin...

10/04/2026

09/04/2026

Multiple World Record holder, Kate Wallington shares the challenges she faces because of her Autism spectrum, how she found peace in Swimming and made her younger self proud by winning medals for Australia ✨
Virtus II3 class provides an amazing inclusive space for athletes with autism to compete in. Want to compete in our events with other fellow athletes with autism? Visit virtus.sport page for more details 🙌

09/04/2026

12 world records. One incredible athlete with autism 🎊

Australian swimmer Kate Wallington is proving what is possible when talent, determination and opportunity come together. Competing in the II3 class for athletes with autism, she made history at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships with 12 world record performances.

This Autism Awareness Month, we celebrate her achievements and the inspiring journey that continues to empower autistic athletes around the world.

As Virtus celebrates its 40-year milestone, we honour the remarkable journey of Kate Wallington. Her story highlights why representation matters and how the right support and opportunities can empower athletes with autism to pursue their dreams and reach the highest levels of competition.

Read her full story: https://virtus.sport/from-autism-diagnosis-to-world-records-rise-of-kate-wallington-on-world-stage

Sport Inclusion Australia

As Virtus marks Autism Awareness Month, it is an opportunity to celebrate athletes whose stories reflect resilience, determination and the power of inclusion in sport. Among them is Australian swimmer Kate Wallington, whose remarkable journey in the pool has inspired both people with autism and the....

02/04/2026

Every year on World Autism Awareness Day, the world celebrates greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for people with autism. Today, Virtus is proud to share the story behind the creation of our newest eligibility class – II3. 🎊

Developed to provide a dedicated international competition pathway for athletes with autism, the II3 class was introduced following research by Dr Anna East and Prof Jan Burns at Canterbury Christ Church University. It made its full competition debut at the 2023 Virtus Global Games, marking the first time athletes with autism had a class of their own in international sport.

While many athletes with autism already compete successfully in mainstream sport, the II3 class provides an additional platform where athletes can participate within a fair and structured international competition pathway. Today, more than 460 athletes worldwide compete in II3, raising the bar across sports – from swimmers Axel Parisot and Kate Wallington to cyclist Dastan Ordabay, track athlete Luca Venturili.

II3 is more than a classification; it is another opportunity for athletes with autism to compete, excel, and shine on the world stage.

As Virtus celebrates 40 years of existence, we celebrate the hard work of the researchers who established this class, and the athletes who are raising the bar of Virtus II3 competition.

Virtus at 40: Championing Excellence Since 1986

Read full story here: https://virtus.sport/celebrating-the-story-of-class-ii3-virtus-newest-class-for-athletes-with-autism-on-world-autism-awareness-day

Every year on 2 April, the world marks World Autism Awareness Day, celebrating greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for people with autism worldwide. Virtus is proud to join this global celebration by sharing the story behind the creation of our newest eligibility class — II3. In the e...

24/03/2026

Before inclusion became a movement, Nils-Peter Kling showed what was possible.

At the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Paralympics, the Swedish cross-country skier won gold in a demonstration event for athletes with an intellectual impairment, proving they belong on the Paralympic stage.

He returned four years later at the 1998 Winter Paralympics in Nagano, where the events were officially included, finishing 9th (5 km Classical), 8th (15 km Free), and 8th (20 km Classical) for Sweden.

More than 30 years later, athletes with an intellectual impairment are still waiting for their return to the Winter Paralympic Games.

As Virtus marks its 40th anniversary, we honour pioneers like Kling and remain committed to restoring a place where athletes with an intellectual impairment compete alongside athletes with physical and visual impairments as equal members of the Paralympic Movement.

Read full story: https://virtus.sport/nils-peter-kling-a-pioneer-of-winter-paralympic-inclusion

When Nils-Peter Kling crossed the finish line at the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer, he did more than complete a race – gold in cross-country skiing in the category for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Although it was a demonstration event, the victory showed the world that athlet...

23/03/2026

100 days to go until the 2026 Virtus European Summer Games in Bydgoszcz, Poland! 🎉

The countdown is officially on. The official Information Pack is now available on the Virtus website – everything you need to start preparing for the Games.

Information pack: https://virtus.sport/eventsvs/2026-virtus-european-summer-games-poland

21/03/2026

Today is World Down Syndrome Day, and we are celebrating two remarkable athletes who have achieved outstanding success in international sport.

Minke Janse van Rensburg (South Africa) made history in swimming at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships in Bangkok, where she broke seven world records in the II2 classification and won multiple gold medals.

Hugo Taheny (Australia) excelled in athletics, breaking world records in the II2 shot put and discus events at the 2023 Virtus Global Games.

As Virtus celebrates 40 years anniversary, their achievements highlight the incredible potential of athletes with an intellectual impairment with significant other impairment, like Down syndrome, and the importance of providing the right support and platform are provided to them to showcase their amazing skills.

Down Syndrome International

As the global community marks World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the power of sport to transform lives through the remarkable journey of two iconic athletes with Down syndrome who have inspired millions around the world. Minke Janse van Rensburg – rising star from South Africa Minke, a young So...