Tennis at GG2023. Photo Credit: G.Picout

WADA Calls for Contributions for ‘Unintentional Doping’ Research Project

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to launch a Call for Contributions for its Unintentional Doping Research Project. 

WADA’s Taskforce on Unintentional Doping invites everyone, including athletes, athlete support personnel (e.g., coaches, physicians, parents), anti-doping practitioners, academics, and policymakers to share their personal experiences, professional opinions, research evidence, and examples of emerging practices regarding unintentional doping. WADA’s aim is to better understand the causes and consequences of unintentional doping so they can develop preventative strategies for athletes, athlete support personnel and anti-doping organizations. 

Deadline: 23 June 2025

Unintentional Doping

Unintentional doping occurs when an athlete or athlete support personnel unknowingly breaks an anti-doping rule. These cases can have wide-ranging and at times life-changing consequences, making this topic crucial to understand. Unintentional doping is particularly distressing for athletes and their support personnel/entourage. 

The goal of the Call for Contributions is to get a deeper understanding of the nature of unintentional doping, which involves determining the scale of the problem and understanding the scenarios that could lead to unintentional doping. For more details, please visit the Unintentional Doping page.

Professor Susan Backhouse, Chair of the Taskforce, said: “Unintentional doping is a complex behavioral problem, which, at its core, means it cannot be resolved by any one organization or in isolation. This is why engaging the whole community on this issue is so important. It was encouraging to see the importance of the work of the Taskforce highlighted at WADA’s Annual Symposium, as well as the common theme of collaboration, which will be crucial for addressing this issue. The Call for Contributions is a key component of the Taskforce’s commitment to developing a better understanding of unintentional doping and ultimately, how we can work towards preventing it.”

WADA’s Director of Education, Amanda Hudson, shared: “WADA is pleased to announce the next steps of this crucial social science research project. This Call for Contributions underlines WADA’s commitment to seek input from athletes and the wider anti-doping community to help inform the work WADA does. WADA’s goal is simple—we aim to reduce the incidence of unintentional doping in order to better protect clean athletes. I encourage everyone who has experience with or constructive thoughts about unintentional doping to contribute to this research project to better inform the work of this Taskforce. WADA wishes to thank the Fonds de recherche du Québec for supporting the social science research that is fundamental to anti-doping efforts and making this project a reality.”

Make a submission  

To participate in the Call for Contributions, please fill in the form by clicking on the link below.  

  • Submissions are open to everyone. 
  • Submissions can be made anonymously. 
  • Submissions can be made in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.

Share your thoughts and experiences 

Partagez vos réflexions et vos expériences 

Comparta sus reflexiones y experiencias 

شاركنا أفكارك وخبراتك 

分享您的想法和经验 

Поделитесь своими мыслями и опытом 

These contributions will support the goal of the Taskforce in proposing an evidence-informed approach to the prevention of unintentional doping.

Privacy and confidentiality

The Call for Contributions on Unintentional Doping is powered by SurveyMonkey. You can review Survey Monkey’s privacy policy here. All contributions will be reviewed confidentially by the Taskforce in line with WADA’s Privacy Policy and the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information. Those making submissions can also provide their contact information should they be willing to contribute further to the Unintentional Doping Research Project. 

About the Taskforce on Unintentional Doping 

WADA’s Taskforce on Unintentional Doping is a research-focused Working Group that is responsible for providing expert advice, recommendations, and guidance on developing an evidence-informed approach to the prevention of unintentional doping. The work of the Taskforce is co-funded by WADA and the Fonds de recherche du Québec with which WADA renewed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022.

The work of the Taskforce is part of a multi-pronged approach to the matter of unintentional doping. As it relates to contamination specifically: 

  • In 2018, WADA formed a Contaminants Working Group that is responsible for providing expert advice, recommendations and guidance with regards to prohibited substances that are contaminants. 
  • On 27 March 2025, WADA’s Executive Committee approved creation of a new WADA Working Group on Contaminations (WGC), which will be responsible for conducting a global review on sources of contamination leading to adverse analytical findings (AAFs) and anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) in sport. It will also provide guidance and recommendations to the ExCo on potential improvements to the regulations and processes to further take into account the risk of such contaminations, while also maintaining an efficient anti-doping system.

The three Groups will work together in a coordinated and complementary fashion.

(This article was first published on WADA’s website on 3rd April)

Christiano Succefully Defends His Championship Title at 2025 Open European Half Marathon & 10K race

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A colorful and tireless river of over 5,000 runners invaded the streets of Genoa yesterday, Sunday 13 April, for the 19th edition of the Genoa Half Marathon. Among the most intense moments of the day, the 9th edition of the Virtus Open European Half Marathon & 10K Road Race Championships brought the determination and emotion of athletes with intellectual impairment to the city track, in a competition with a strong symbolic and sporting value.

Organized by ASD Cambiaso Risso for Special, in collaboration with ASD Podistica Peralto, FISDIR, and FIDAL, and with Virtus Europe, the race welcomed delegations from all over Europe, giving a vibrant image of a sport open to all. An initiative that was able to perfectly blend competitive spirit and inclusiveness, turning the spotlight on an essential aspect: sport as a tool for integration and personal growth, beyond barriers.

Winners of II3 Men’s 10k race (L) and Half-marathon race. Photo Credit: FISDIR

Multiple time champion, Christiano Pereira (POR), who also placed fourth overall, after the first top three runners of the 19th Genoa Half Marathon, emerged as the championship winner in the II1 category of the 2025 Open European Half-Marathon. Italian runners Emanuel Parodi and Simone Colasuonno finished second and third respectively.

In the 10K race, Luca Venturelli (ITA), who also defeated Christiano Pereira (II1), emerged as the winner in II3 category. Geffroy Theo (FRA) won the second place while Antonov Mario (BUL) settled for third place.

Christina Pereira (POR) won his second gold from 10k race by defeating Loiseau Mathieu (FRA) and Parras Alvarez Adrian (ESP).

The event ended with the award ceremony for the athletes, who received medals and awards from the representatives of the Municipality of Genoa and the organizing committees among great acclamations.

Elizabeth Whitehouse’s Inspiring Journey From Sammamish’s Slopes to Virtus Podium

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April marks World Autism Awareness Month, and Virtus proudly joins the global celebration. This year’s theme, “Advancing Neurodiversity and the SDGs,” highlights the role of inclusivity in fostering sustainability and positive change worldwide, and we want to take this opportunity to highlight the II3 competition class and honour some of our outstanding athletes with autism who are inspiring athletes worldwide.

Research into the development of a new competition category began in 2018 when it was recognised that many athletes with autism face barriers in sports. Some may need specific adaptation and support, which is not available in mainstream sports and competitions, and so are not able to fulfil their sporting potential. And, after years of lengthy research and trial period, Virtus introduced the II3 competition class as a full medal event at the Virtus Global Games in 2023, creating a dedicated space for athletes with autism for the first time ever in the world of sports. With over 250 registered athletes, these individuals are inspiring other people with autism both nationally and internationally while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today, we are sharing the story of Elizabeth Whitehouse, an exceptional skier from the USA and a resident of Sammamish.

Elizabeth’s biggest supporters are her parents, her master ski team, and her extended family, emphasising the strong network that has helped her excel in her sport. Her biggest role model, however, is her mother.

“My mom is my role model because of what she has done to be where she is today and also because of what she has done to make sure I succeed in life.”

Growing up with autism meant that structure played an essential role in Elizabeth’s daily life. Elizabeth was informed beforehand if the class was going to have a substitute teacher for the day so that her routine was not thrown off. Despite these challenges, she found solace and joy in skiing.

“I chose skiing because I have fun and feel relaxed while doing it. The freedom you feel while going down the slopes is what I love most.”

Her journey into sports began in middle school, encouraged by her teachers. Over time, she has developed her skills and climbed through the ranks, competing in major international competitions. At the Virtus World Skiing Championships in Zakopane 2024, Elizabeth proudly secured three silver medals and one bronze for Team USA in the II3 category.

“In a way, we knew that I wouldn’t get gold like in 2023. My family and team knew that the other country’s athletes trained from a young age and that I would have competition. My family was excited for what I got with who I went against.”

Elizabeth (second from right) posing with her fellow medalist from the Super G race at the 2025 Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championship. Photo Credit: FFSA

Elizabeth also won two bronze from the women’s II3 Super G and Gaint Slalom races at the 2025 Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championship in Tignes, France recently.

Competing among other athletes with autism has been a rewarding experience for her, especially when she gets to compete against people from other countries.

She acknowledges that intellectual impairment and autism are often misunderstood.

“I do think that it is difficult for people to understand the difficulties that people with intellectual impairments or autism might have.”

Despite these challenges, Elizabeth has never let autism hold her back. Virtus competitions have played a significant role in her growth.

“Virtus competitions are giving me experience that I would never have gotten back home on the mountain that I ski on routinely. Hopefully, I can do ski FIS runs when I am old enough for the master level FIS.”

On Autism Awareness Day, Elizabeth has a message for young athletes with autism: “Do not give up because there is somebody who believes very much in you.”

Her journey is a testament to resilience, dedication, and an inspiration to young children around the world.

Play True Day 2025: Virtus Reaffirms Commitment to Clean Sport

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Virtus, the international federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment proudly joins the World Anti-Doping Agency’s digital campaign ‘Play True Day’ to raise awareness about the importance of Clean Sport among the Virtus community. Supported by National Member Organisations and regional groups in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, it drives the development and inclusion of sports for individuals with intellectual impairments, working closely with International Sport Federations for global promotion.

To reinforce its dedication to Clean Sport, Virtus launched the ‘Anti-Doping Awareness Program’ on April 19 2024, marking last year’s ‘Play True Day.’ This initiative strived to educate athletes, promote ethical behaviour, and safeguard sportsmanship through targeted anti-doping education tailored for international athletes, youth participants, support staff, and personnel. We are delighted to announce that the second edition of the Anti-Doping Awareness Program is set for release shortly, continuing efforts to uphold the principles of fair play and doping prevention.

In 2025, Virtus plans to expand the program, delivering enhanced resources and information to the entire Virtus community. Addressing challenges and key issues identified through consultation, Virtus has outlined strategic priorities, focusing on:

  • Information: Ensuring accurate and transparent content that emphasises fair play and institutional values while raising awareness within the community.
  • Education: Empowering athletes with anti-doping resources that promote health, integrity, and sustainable athletic careers.
  • Visibility: Showcasing the positive outcomes of doping-free sports through proactive engagement.
  • Role Modeling: Setting standards by actively addressing anti-doping matters.
  • Awareness Raising: Guiding discussions around clean sport, health risks, and the ethical consequences of doping, emphasizing the harm it can inflict on athletes’ physical and psychological well-being as well as their careers.

Virtus will share these insights via seminars (online and in-person at select events), engaging videos, social media content, and interactive athlete sessions.

We call upon all our athletes, member organisations, volunteers and stakeholders, to join us and take the pledge to show their support towards clean sport. Taking part in the campaign is as simple as downloading WADA’s Play True Day 2025 digital assets and sharing them on your social media channels on 11 April.

By championing clean sport through education and awareness, Virtus aims to protect the integrity of competition and inspire athletes to ‘Play True’, because real champions play true!

Virtus offers condolences to former Global Games Chairperson

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Virtus is saddened to learn of the death of Christine Ghys, Chair of the Organising Committee of the 2023 Virtus Global Games.

Christine worked tirelessly both in the build up to and delivery of the Games in Vichy, coordinating her small team to deliver the largest sports programme in the history of the event.

After retiring from her professional career in the packaging film industry, Christine joined the French National Member Organisation of Virtus, FFSA, serving as Treasurer and also becoming Secretary General of the International Confederation of Francophone Sports Unions (CIUSF).

Virtus would to extend our condolences to Christine’s family and everyone at FFSA on this very sad news.

 

 

 

 

Dastan Ordabay: Kazakhstan’s Trailblazer Paving Way For Athletes with Autism

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April marks Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of individuals with autism and advocate for greater inclusivity in sports. Virtus introduced the II3 competition class as a full medal event at the Virtus Global Games in 2023, creating a dedicated space for athletes with autism for the first time ever in the world of sports. With over 250 registered athletes, these individuals are inspiring other people with autism both nationally and internationally while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

One such inspiring athlete is Dastan Ordabay, a talented athlete from Astana, Kazakhstan, whose journey in sports has not only brought personal success but has also paved the way for greater awareness and acceptance of athletes with autism worldwide.

Dastan comes from a big and loving family, including his mother, father, sister, brother, and grandmother. Among them, his mother has been his biggest supporter, always encouraging him to pursue his dreams.

Dastan’s autism diagnosis was a turning point for his family. However, rather than seeing it as a challenge, they embraced it as a way to grow closer together.

“Dastan’s diagnosis changed the life of our family, changed our environment. Not in a negative sense, but vice versa. We rallied as a family around Dastan, and his interests, and became an even happier family,” says his mother.

Introduced to sports at a young age, Dastan discovered his passion for cycling at just 10 years old. The thrill of ‘speed‘ drew him to the sport, and his dedication led him to competitive success. However, one of the biggest challenges he faced in training was not physical but social—understanding and communicating with coaches and teammates.

“The most difficult thing is the ability to communicate with people and understand what they expect from me,” he explains.

Despite these challenges, Dastan has found acceptance and support in his inclusive school, where his classmates and teachers embrace him for who he is.

The 2023 Virtus Global Games (GG2023) marked a historic moment for Dastan and Kazakhstan. It was the first-ever elite medal event for athletes with autism, and competing among fellow athletes with autism was a moment of pride for him.

“I was lucky that in 2023 I got to an international competition, and also came to know about Virtus Global Games too! That was our first competition outside of Kazakhstan. Of course, I was very happy. I love winning and gaining medals. I like to participate in competitions. Moreover, I prepared a lot for this competition. I wanted to get a medal, but I did not expect to win a silver. My family was very happy.”

Dastan’s victory at GG2023 was historical—at the age of sixteen, he won the first-ever medal for Kazakhstan in the II3 category. His triumph was not just a personal achievement but a source of inspiration for many families in Kazakhstan. He won four silvers from Individual pursuit 4000m, 1000m Time Trial, Individual Sprint 200 and Classment H-II3.

“Dastan’s victory at the GG2023 games inspired many other parents of children with autism and gave them hope, since sports for people with intellectual impairment are not so developed in Kazakhstan. This victory drew the attention of the state to the development of sports for people with mental disabilities,” shares his mother.

Dastan later won gold in II3 men’s 18.8km time trial and 5.5 km time trial in 2024 Virtus World Cycling Series in Ballarat, Australia.

Dastan’s journey in sports is far from over. While his primary focus has been cycling, he has also developed an interest in athletics and continues to train rigorously.

“Now Dastan is interested in athletics and, in my opinion, he is doing well. And of course, Dastan is preparing to participate in the GG2027 games in Cairo. He is constantly and persistently training, and time will tell in which sport.”

Virtus has played a pivotal role in supporting Dastan’s sporting journey, providing him with a platform to compete among athletes who share similar experiences.

“It’s great to be part of the Virtus family, to be among people like Dastan. The games that Virtus organizes give meaning to Dastan’s life, making it brighter and more meaningful. I think that he doesn’t think about the ultimate goal of his life, he lives here and now, and now he wants to be the first,” says his mother.

As Dastan continues to break barriers and inspire others, his ultimate message remains simple yet powerful:

“To be happy, healthy, and to win.”

Dantan at Espoo 2025. Photo Credit: IDSport

Dastan has now set his eyes on para-athletics with a big challenge and dream of competing at the Para-Asian Games and Paralympic Games, representing his country for the first time from Central Asia. Dastan recently won three silvers in 60m-200m-800m, and gold in the long jump at the 2025 Virtus Open European Athletics Championships, Espoo.

Dastan’s story is a testament to the limitless potential of athletes with autism. His dedication, resilience, and love for competition continue to prove that with support, opportunity, and determination, anything is possible. As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, let us champion inclusivity in sports and ensure that every athlete, regardless of their abilities, has the chance to shine.

Golden Farewells at Tignes 2025: Super Combined Seals Legacy of Champions

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The final day of the Virtus Alpine Skiing World Championships in Tignes delivered a thrilling conclusion with the Super Combined event—testing athletes’ speed in the Super G and precision in Slalom. As medals were handed out, many of the week’s most consistent stars once again stood atop the podium, solidifying their dominance and ending Tignes 2025 on a golden note.

Winners of II1 women’s and men’s in Super Combine at Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: FFSA

Amelia Selznick (II1 Women’s) completed a remarkable triple gold sweep, adding the Super Combined title to her wins in Super G and Giant Slalom. Karina Zakirova of VNT earned yet another bronze, proving her resilience across events, while Eva-Maria Dünser of Austria clinched silver.

 Aoshi Kanazawa (II1 Men’s) was once again untouchable, securing his third gold medal of the Championships. France’s Thomas Girard closed out his campaign with a full medal set, adding a Super Combined bronze to his silver in slalom and bronze in Super G and Giant Slalom.

Winners of Super combined II2 women’s and men’s at Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: FFSA

Austria’s Anna-Sophie Friedl (II2 Women’s) maintained her perfect streak, topping the podium once again for her third gold, with Finland’s Bea-Anna Westerstrahle and Poland’s Anna Kubasik rounding out the medals after consistently strong performances throughout the week.

The II2 Men’s podium was stacked with multi-medalists. Austria’s Markus Grameiser captured gold, completing an impressive medal haul that included wins in slalom and podiums in all events. Poland’s Antoni Wiercioch and fellow Austrian Richard Strohhäusl continued their fierce rivalry, finishing second and third respectively—each now boasting an impressive string of medals across the Championships.

Winners of II3 women’s and men’s in Super Combine at Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: FFSA

The II3 Women’s category, Australia’s Georgia Yuen left no doubt about her place in Tignes 2025 history, claiming her fourth gold and sweeping every event at Tignes 2025.  USA’s Haleigh Bates and Elizabeth Whitehouse mirror their earlier results, showcasing their consistency and talent.

France’s Axel Bringdal closed his Championships on a high with gold in the II3 Men’s Super Combined, followed by Ange Cazorla, who once again landed on the podium for his fourth medal. USA’s Lyons Palmer claimed a well-earned bronze to round off the action.

As the sun set on Tignes, the Super Combined brought not just thrilling finishes, but fitting final chapters to stories of courage, consistency, and sheer brilliance. These athletes have not only earned their medals but have carved their names into Virtus Alpine Skiing history.

Double and Triple Medalists Shine as Tignes 2025 Enters Final Stages

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The 2025 Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championships in Tignes, France, are reaching their thrilling conclusion, and the Giant Slalom event proved to be a showcase of dominance, consistency, and elite performance. As the race unfolded, several athletes continued their medal-winning streaks, cementing their status as the top contenders of the tournament.

Winners of II1 Men’s and Women’s Gaint Slalom race. Photo Credit: Geoffroy Wahlen

In the II1 women’s category, Amelia Selznick (USA) captured another gold, adding to her Super G victory and reinforcing her status as one of the standout performers of Tignes 2025. Right behind her, France’s Mélanie De Bona claimed silver, adding to her already impressive gold in slalom and silver in Super G. Meanwhile, Karina Zakirova (VNT) secured bronze, marking her second podium finish after her Super G bronze.

“The race course was great, the snow wasn’t that soft. The sun shining too brightly on the snow did slow us down a little but I enjoyed it the race,” said Amelia after winning the gold today.

The II1 men’s category saw a brilliant performance from Aoshi Kanazawa (JPN), who claimed another gold after his slalom win and Super G silver. French skiers Antoine Maure and Thomas Girard also continued their podium streaks, adding silver and bronze, respectively, to their previous victories.

Winners of II2 Men’s and Women’s Giant Slalom at Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: Geoffroy Wahlen

Austria’s Anna-Sophie Friedl continued her dominance in the II2 women’s category, securing gold after her slalom victory, while her fellow Austrian Stephanie Schlömmer finished second, adding a silver to her previous Super G gold. Finland’s Bea-Anna Westerstrahle also continued her medal collection, earning her second bronze after a previous Super G podium finish.

In II2 men’s, Antoni Wiercioch (POL) made it two gold medals, following up on his Super G triumph. Austria’s Richard Strohhäusl, a consistent podium finisher, added third silver to her tally, while Markus Grameiser (Austria), already a gold medalist in slalom, secured bronze today in Gaint Slalom.

Winners of II3 Men’s and Women’s Gaint Slalom race. Photo Credit: Geoffroy Wahlen

In II3 women’s, Georgia Yuen (AUS) further solidified her reign by securing her third gold medal, having already triumphed in Super G and slalom. Behind her, Haleigh Bates (USA) clinched silver, adding to her Super G silver, while Elizabeth Whitehouse (USA) rounded out the podium, mirroring her bronze in Super G.

The II3 men’s race saw Ange Cazorla (FRA) climbing to the top of the podium finally after finishing second in both Super G and Slalom, adding a gold to his tally. Muhsin Murat Bingul (TUR), already a slalom bronze medalist, finished second, while Lukasz Fraczek (POL) grabbed bronze in his first podium finish of the competition.

With Tignes 2025 entering its final stages, the athletes will be competing in the Combined Super G and Slalom race, but one thing is certain: the athletes delivering consistent medal-winning performances have set a new benchmark for excellence in alpine skiing. With multiple double and triple medalists, this year’s championships will be remembered for the sheer dominance displayed on the slopes.

For full results, visit the competition website.

Austria’s Medal Streak and France’s Home Triumph Continued On Second Day Of Tignes 2025

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The slopes of Tignes provided the perfect setting for another exhilarating day of competition for the Slalom race at the Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championships 2025. Athletes from around the world demonstrated remarkable skill and determination as they navigated the challenging slalom course, adding to the excitement of an already thrilling week of racing.

For some competitors, today’s victory marked their second medal at Tignes 2025, following their success in the Super-G event earlier in the championships.

Winners of II1 Men’s and Women’s Slalom race from Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: FFSA

In the II1 category, multiple-time champion Mélanie De Bona from France secured the gold medal with an outstanding performance. Filippa Améen of Sweden earned silver with a strong and consistent run, while her teammate Jina Backlund claimed the bronze medal with an impressive finish.

In the II1 category, Japan’s Aoshi Kanazawa delivered a masterful performance to take home the gold medal. Thomas Girard of France showcased his skill and resilience to secure silver, while Antoine Maure, also from France, rounded out the podium with a strong bronze-medal finish.

Winner from II2 Women’s and Men’s Slalom race at Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: FFSA

The II2 category saw Austria’s Anna-Sophie Friedl take the top spot, winning gold with a remarkable display of technique. Fellow Austrian Elena Grabner added a second silver medal to her achievements at Tignes 2025, while Poland’s Anna Kubasik completed the podium with a well-fought bronze medal.

The II2 category saw Austria’s Markus Grameiser claim gold with an exceptional race. Richard Strohhäusl, also from Austria, earned his second silver medal at Tignes 2025 with another impressive showing, while Jan Wolczko of Poland secured the bronze medal in a highly competitive field.

Winners of II3 Men’s and Women’s Slalom race from Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: FFSA

In the II3 category, Georgia Yuen from Australia continued her dominance on the slopes by securing her second gold medal at Tignes 2025. Aliye Zeynep Bingül of Turkey followed closely behind, earning the silver medal with a fantastic run.

In the II3 category, France’s Axel Bringdal dominated the event to win his second gold medal of the championships. His countryman Ange Cazorla followed up with an impressive silver-medal finish, while Muhsin Murat Bingül of Turkey secured the bronze with a solid performance.

As the Virtus Skiing Championships 2025 progress, the level of competition continues to rise. These exceptional athletes have once again demonstrated their incredible abilities, inspiring others with their dedication and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding performances. The excitement in Tignes is far from over, and we eagerly anticipate more unforgettable moments on the slopes.

Full results can be accessed from the competition website.

Axel Parisot: The French Swimming Sensation Empowering Athletes with Autism

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April 2 marks World Autism Awareness Day, and Virtus proudly joins the global celebration. This year’s theme, “Advancing Neurodiversity and the SDGs,” highlights the role of inclusivity in fostering sustainability and positive change worldwide, and we want to take this opportunity to highlight the II3 competition class whilst honouring some of our outstanding athletes with autism who are inspiring athletes worldwide.

Research into the development of a new competition category began in 2018 when it was recognised that many athletes with autism face barriers in sports. Some may need specific adaptation and support, which is not available in mainstream sports and competitions, and so are not able to fulfil their sporting potential. And, after years of lengthy research and trial period, Virtus introduced the II3 competition class as a full medal event at the Virtus Global Games in 2023, creating a dedicated space for athletes with autism for the first time ever in the world of sports. With over 250 registered athletes, these individuals are inspiring other people with autism both nationally and internationally while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today, we are sharing the incredible story of Axel Parisot, a champion swimmer from France whose journey embodies determination, resilience, and the power of sport to transform the lives of people with autism. From discovering his love for swimming to winning multiple gold medals on the global stage, Axel has carved out a legacy that inspires athletes with autism worldwide.

Born in Orléans, France, Axel grew up in a sports-loving family. His mother played basketball, and his father balanced tennis, handball, and football. Their passion for sports ignited Axel’s love for competition. Initially trying football and tennis, he eventually found his calling in swimming.

“I liked the water at first, but what really kept me going was the thrill of racing and the joy of winning,” Axel shares.

His dedication paid off as he rose through the ranks to become one of the most accomplished swimmer with autism in Virtus’ history.

For Axel, autism is not just a part of his life—it has played a key role in shaping his journey.

“Autism follows me everywhere, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it,” he says. Despite the challenges, he has turned his uniqueness into strength, adapting to the social aspects of competitive swimming with the support of understanding coaches and teammates.

Unlike many, Axel says he has rarely faced discrimination. However, he acknowledges the need to raise awareness about invisible impairments like autism.

“People don’t always understand autism because they can’t see it like a physical disability. We need more education and raise awareness to break the stereotypes around it.”

The 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France, were groundbreaking. It marked the first time athletes with autism competed in an official category at an elite-level international event. For Axel, this was a dream come true.

Axel Parisot competing at 200m Individual medley at the 2023 Virtus Global Games. Photo Credit: Kellerman lens and G Picout

“My first Global Games were in 2019 in Brisbane, where there were very few of us in the category. But in 2023, we had an official category. Competing against other athletes with autism was an incredible feeling—I knew we were making history.”

Axel dominated the competition, winning an astonishing six individual gold medals in the II3 category from 50m-100m-200m-400m-800m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley, along with contributing to the French relay team’s victories in 4x50m and 4x100m Individual Medley. His performance not only made his family proud but also set a new standard for future athletes with autism.,

“I strongly believed in my results, and seeing my family cheer for me with the French crowd was unforgettable.”

Axel has no plans to slow down and he is setting his target for the 2027 Virtus Global Games in Cairo. His goal is simple: to win more medals than he did in Vichy.

“If I’m going to Cairo 2027, it’s to take home even more gold. I want to push my limits and make history once again.”

Beyond personal achievements, Axel is committed to a larger mission—securing a place for athletes with autism and Down syndrome at the Paralympic Games.

“It’s unfair that we are not included. I am autistic, and my older brother has Down syndrome. We both deserve the chance to compete at the highest level. My ultimate goal is to make this a reality.”

On this special day, Axel shares a powerful message with young athletes:

“Whatever your dreams are, Just go for it and push harder. I changed my destiny by taking chances and forcing things to happen. You never know when the right opportunity will come your way—so create your own path.”

Axel Parisot’s journey is a testament to perseverance and passion. As he continues to break barriers in sport, he also paves the way for a more inclusive future where all athletes, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to shine.

To know more about Virtus’ II3 competition class, visit our eligibility page.