Virtus is the global organisation that governs – advocates – organises – promotes

elite sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

OUR VISION:

An inclusive world for people with an intellectual impairment.

OUR MISSION:

To drive the development of elite sport worldwide for athletes with an intellectual impairment

From INAS 1986 – To VIRTUS 2030

Virtus is the brand name of the International Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment and is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee.

Formed in 1986, Virtus (formerly INAS) has grown from 14 members to a membership of more 500,000 athletes from more than 90 nations across the world throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South/Central America and Oceania.

In 2020, the Virtus sports programme included 15 annual events across both summer and winter sports with more than 7,000 athletes registered to compete at an international level.

Virtus is the recognised International Organisation of Sport for people with a Disability (IOSD), governing the eligibility of athletes with an intellectual impairment, elite competition and sport development. Over the next decade to 2030, Virtus is committed to advocating inclusion in sport, and building elite pathways for more athletes with an intellectual impairment to compete at the highest levels of international sport.

Virtus now has its sight on more involvement in the Paralympic movement – through the quadrennial Virtus Global Games held in the year prior to each Paralympic Games.

“2-3% of the world population have an intellectual impairment. That’s between 178-256 million people worldwide.”

Source: WHO Report on Disability 2011

Through sport, Virtus and its athletes are changing attitudes, challenging perceptions, and strengthening communities locally and globally.

  • 1986

    INAS - FMH

    Established by professionals who want to promote the inclusion of athletes with intellectual impairments. First executives appointed in January.

  • 1988

    First General Assembly

    The first General Assembly is held and the first executives are elected. INAS-FMH is a member of the International Coordinating Committee, which later becomes the International Paralympic Committee

  • 1989

    First Games

    The ‘1st World Games for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability’ are held in Harnosand, Sweden. These later become the Global Games which takes place every four years.

  • 1992

    First Paralympics appearance

    In September, the first ‘Paralympic Games for Persons with a Mental Handicap’ were held in Madrid, Spain. 70 countries competed

  • 1996

    Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games

    A demonstration programme for athletes with an intellectual impairment was included at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games.

  • 2000

    Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games

    A larger programme of athletics, swimming, men’s basketball, and table tennis were included in Sydney 2000 Paralympics Games. However, the dishonest actions of a small number of people will have a devastating impact on all athletes with an intellectual impairment for many years to follow. 

  • 2004

    1st Global Games are held

    The 1st Global Games are held in Bollnas, Sweden, with more than 1000 athletes from across the world. The event takes place again in 2009 before settling into the year before the Paralympic Games for in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

  • 2012

    London 2012 Paralympic Games

    After a period of absence, athletes with an intellectual impairment return to the Paralympic stage at London 2012 in swimming, athletics and table tennis.

  • 2016

    Celebrating 30 Years

    Virtus celebrates 30 years with a special award ceremony in Paris, France – recognising athletes and key individuals from the organisations history.

  • 2018

    Half a million athletes

    Membership increased to the highest level on record, reaching more than 6,500 athletes on the master list and an unprecedented 500,000 athletes worldwide.

  • 2018

    New eligibility groups introduced

    New eligibility groups are introduced to Virtus competition for the first time in our history promoting inclusion for athletes with multiple and severe impairment, and athletes with autism.

  • 2019

    Becoming Virtus

    INAS becomes ‘Virtus’.

    The aim of the re-brand is to help make the invisible, visible. The Virtus brand is fresh, exciting, and has a modern look, which places the talent and ability of athletes at its core.

  • 2020

    Events disrupted due to COVID-19

    Worldwide sport is affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Virtus moves competition online and develops new services and programmes to support athletes and member organisations through this difficult period.

  • 2021

    Celebrating 35 Years of Inclusive Sports

    Virtus marks its 35 year with the launch of a new Strategic Plan, which aims to reach more athletes in more nations, and include more sports over the next four years.

  • 2023

    Medal events for Athletes with Autism (II3)

    For the first time, medal events across various sports were introduced for II3 competition class – Athletes with Autism at the 2023 Virtus Global games, Vichy.

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)

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