INAS - FMH
Established by professionals who want to promote the inclusion of athletes with intellectual impairments. First executives appointed in January.
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 World Intellectual Impairment Sport, “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 at Tokyo, Paris 2024, LA2028 and beyond – 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.
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)