The first race, Super G, from the 2025 Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championships, made its way to the Lognan Stadium in Tignes. Skiers were treated to a bright sun and amazing weather.

The biggest news came from the II3 competition, with 16-year-old young woman, Yuen Georgia, winning the Super G race and claiming her first Virtus medal from her inaugural event. The teenager did not just open her personal Virtus medal tally, but also ended a 13-year-long dry spell for Australia in a Virtus skiing event. Yuen clocked a time of 1:21.77sec, defeating USA’s Bates Haleigh and Whitehouse Elizabeth who finished second and third respectively.

“It was a really fun course. I always find the start of the race super fun. Super G is not something we compete at back home so I didn’t have a lot of training but I would like to continue with this and come back to the games.”

Australia last won a medal in the 2012 Virtus World Skiing Championships in Turkey when Nicole Harris won 3 Gold in the Slalom, Giant Slalom and Combined. The entire Australian contingent was seen celebrating Yuen’s medal-winning moment today at the resort.

Expressing excitement, Robyn Smith, Virtus Board member, IPC Governing board member at large and Australian Head of Delegation said,

“We are very pleased and excited for Georgia winning gold today. She is an amazing skier with a bright future ahead of her. We wish her and all other skiers well for the remaining of the Championship.”

Georgia holds many laurels from non-Virtus championships. She finished first in Giant Slalom, Multiclass and teams Ski Cross and sixth in Giant Slalom in the Australian National Snowsports Championships, Perisher, NSW last year. She also secured first place in Giant Slalom (multi-class) and teams Ski Cross, third in Giant Slalom at the NSW State Championships, Perisher, NSW and second place in Panel Slalom, third in Ski Cross at Blue Cow Cup, Perisher, NSW in 2024.

“We are delighted to see such a young skier winning the II3 Super G race today, especially at the start of Autism Awareness Month. We cannot wait to see how she will perform in the rest of her races but we know one thing for sure, she has a very bright future ahead of her and she will inspire many teenage girls with autism to follow their dreams,” said Marc Truffaut, Virtus President.

Full results can be accessed from the competition website.

The 2025 Virtus Open European Indoor Athletics Championships began today in Espoo, Finland, bringing together top athletes from 14 countries—Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine. These athletes are competing to prove their strength and skill.

The event is organized by the Finnish Paralympic Committee, with support from the Finnish Athletics Federation and the City of Espoo.

Right from the start, Virtus records were smashed. Two Virtus World records and one championship record fell on the first day.

Paris 2024 Silver medallist Aysel Önder, representing Turkey, set a new record in the II1 Women’s 400m by defeating Carina Paim (POR) and Nyan Kang Gai (SWE).

“After the Paralympic Games, this is my first championship and the last indoor indoor championship of the season, so it was very important for me. We focused completely on this particular race and I am going back with a WR and gold medal, like last year,” Aysel told Virtus.

Turkey’s success continued with their II1 Women’s relay team. Aysel Önder joined Reyhon Tasdelen, Fatma Doula Altin, and Esra Bayrak to break another Virtus World record, finishing in 1:44.34 seconds.

Portugal’s Igon Oliveira stole the spotlight in the II1 Men’s 60m race, winning gold and setting a new championship record with a time of 6.92 seconds. He triumphed over Turkey’s Emir Yogi Salci and Sweden’s Joel Reinholdsson.

On the second day, Aysel added her third Virtus World record in the II1 Women’s 200m race, clocking 26.24 seconds. Reyhon Tasdelen put up a strong fight but finished second at 27.65 seconds.

In the teams competition, the Turkish women’s team and Portuguese men’s team took home the trophy.

For full results and more information, visit the Espoo 2025 website.

Nicolás Vélez Velásquez, gold medalist in P22 at GG2023, is a trailblazing athlete from Colombia who has defied societal barriers to achieve greatness in taekwondo. His story is one of perseverance, passion, and the unwavering support of his family and coach.

Nicolás hails from Envigado, a city known for its strong sports culture. His family—father Juan Fernando, mother Luz Elena, and sister Ana Isabel—has been his greatest source of encouragement. 

“My mom and sister have always been there for me, supporting my training and helping me secure the resources I need to compete,” says Nicolás. 

His coach, Pedro Bedoya, has also played a crucial role in shaping his taekwondo career.

While many athletes look up to famous sports figures, Nicolás finds his biggest inspiration in his younger sister. 

“She is disciplined, intelligent, and always looking out for me. She helps me achieve my dreams, especially in taekwondo,” he says proudly.

Nicolás refuses to let Down syndrome define him, but he acknowledges the societal challenges he has faced. He recalls moments of rejection at school from both classmates and parents and even a time when a father removed his son from a playground because Nicolás was there.

“Down syndrome has not affected me, but society has put barriers in my way. People didn’t always believe in my abilities, but I proved them wrong,” he explains.

Sports have always been a part of Nicolás’s life, thanks to his grandfather, who instilled in him a love for athletics. Though he was drawn to soccer, it was taekwondo that truly captivated him. 

“I used to watch martial arts movies as a kid, and when I had my first taekwondo class, I knew this was my sport,” he shares. He enjoys the discipline, the physical challenges, and particularly the intricate Poomsae patterns, of which he has mastered 13.

Taekwondo training has presented its challenges, from memorizing movements to building strength and balance. 

“The hardest part is learning that you can’t always win,” he admits. However, his perseverance paid off when he won the gold medal in the P22 category at the 2023 Virtus Global Games.

“I expected to win because my coach prepared me so well. He even came to my house on Sundays to train with me at a nearby park.”

Competing against other athletes with Down syndrome at GG2023 was an unforgettable experience for Nicolás.

“Facing Italy was tough, but I told my coach I would win and to stay calm. In the final, I defeated the U.S. and proved what I was capable of.”

GG2023 wasn’t just about sports for Nicolás—it was about making memories. 

“I got to meet athletes from different countries, explore cities like Vichy, Lyon, Paris, and Amsterdam, and even showcase my DJ skills at the closing party. It was an amazing experience!”

Being part of Virtus competitions has opened doors for Nicolás. He became the first taekwondo athlete with Down syndrome to win a gold medal for Colombia at the Virtus Global Games, an achievement that earned him recognition in his country. 

“I want to inspire others with Down syndrome to pursue their dreams,” he says.

Looking ahead, he has his sights set on the 2026 Virtus Americas Regional Games in Peru and the 2027 Virtus Global Games in Cairo. 

“I will compete with a champion’s mindset and hope to see more athletes with Down syndrome join the highest levels of competition.”

Nicolás’s ultimate goal is clear: to become a world champion and win a Paralympic medal for Colombia. Beyond that, he dreams of creating a foundation to help individuals with intellectual disabilities access sports and international competitions. 

“I want to support people with limited resources who share my passion for taekwondo.”

On this World Down Syndrome Day, Nicolás has an inspiring message for young athletes with Down syndrome:

“Never give up. Fight for your dreams. With the support of family and friends, you can achieve anything. We are capable of great things!”

Virtus is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by highlighting some of our iconic athletes with Down Syndrome who are inspiring the younger generation worldwide.

Sui Watts, an equestrian athlete whose dedication and passion for the sport have taken her to international competitions. Living on a small farm four hours north of Sydney, Australia, Sui has built a life surrounded by family, animals, and a deep love for dressage. Sui’s journey with horses began when she was four years old, shortly after her family adopted her. 

“If I didn’t have Down Syndrome, I wouldn’t have been adopted, and I wouldn’t have met horses. My new family had horses, and as soon as I saw them, I fell in love.”

Her biggest supporters have been her mother, her coach Nell Marshman, and her family. 

“I have so many people who have helped me on this journey, but my mum and coach Nell have been there every step of the way,” she says.

Sui draws inspiration from Paralympian Jan Pike, a bronze and silver medalist from the Athens Paralympics. 

“Jan helped me when I started competing, she showed me what was possible and made me believe that I could achieve my dreams” Sui recalls.

Living with Down Syndrome has brought challenges, particularly in social situations. 

“I find it very hard to talk to people because I don’t trust they will understand me. It makes me embarrassed, so I stop trying,” Sui admits. 

Despite these struggles, she has found solace and confidence in the equestrian community. “I’m very lucky—I live in a fabulous community where people have accepted me for what I can do.”

Training has also been demanding, especially in maintaining balance on her horse. 

“Keeping my hands still is really hard, but I love personal training and working on my fitness. I know that every little bit of effort helps me improve.”

Sui has won multiple gold and silver medals across various Virtus video competitions, but her proudest moment came at the 2023 Vichy Global Games where she won two gold medals.

“It was where my dream came true. I rode with the Australian flag on my saddlecloth and won two gold medals in front of my family and best friend. That was the best feeling ever!”

GG2023 was also historic as the first time equestrian was introduced as a live Virtus competition and like every other rider, Sui too was excited to compete live with her competitors.

“It was so exciting to finally compete in person instead of through video competitions. Meeting and riding against other athletes with Down Syndrome was amazing,” Sui says.

Sui also won one gold and one bronze at the 2024 Open European Equestrian Championships, UK and now setting her sights on the first Virtus World Championships in 2025. 

“My goal is to make the Australian team and, if I do, to do my best and enjoy the journey. I want to make an Australian Paralympic team. Sadly, Dressage for athletes with an intellectual impairment or for down syndrome isn’t in the Paralympics yet, but I hope it will happen in my lifetime.”

On World Down Syndrome Day, Sui has an important message for young athletes: 

“Dream big, work hard, but have lots of fun. I believe perseverance and passion can lead to incredible achievements. If you love something, keep going no matter what. You never know where your dreams might take you!”

As Sui continues her journey in the equestrian world, she remains a shining example of determination, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself.

‘Play True’ Day has been celebrated by WADA, World Anti-Doping Agency, since 2014 each year in the month of April, to promote Clean Sport and raise awareness among athletes, the sporting public and others of the importance of preventing doping.

This year, Play True Day will be celebrated on 11 April, and we encourage our athletes, coaches, member organisations and the entire Virtus family to take part in the digital campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of clean sport.

Story of Play True Day

Play True Day was born out of the 2013 WADA Education Conference in Latin America. The first official celebration occurred in 2014, aiming to unite the global sporting community under a shared commitment to integrity and fairness. Since that first celebration in 2014, Play True Day has evolved from a small initiative into a global movement that reaches millions each year.

On its 10th anniversary in 2024, over 100 countries and 50 organisations participated, creating a global wave of support for clean sport. This generated nearly 200 million impressions and 260,000 engagements worldwide on social media.

Virtus has been celebrating the ‘Play True’ day for several years alongside WADA, to show our commitment towards our fight against doping. Virtus is gearing up to join WADA on April 11 to celebrate the Play True Day this year too. WADA is shifting the focus from the collective ‘we’ to the individual ‘you’, promoting the vital individual role each of us plays in championing clean sport this year.

“True victory comes from integrity and real champions play fair. On Play True Day, we reaffirm our commitment to clean sport, where every achievement is earned with honour, dedication, and respect. Champions are made through hard work, and not with banned substances or through cheating,” said Juliana Soares, Virtus Anti-Doping Officer.

Last year, Virtus also launched its first-ever Anti-Doping Awareness Program on the ‘Play True Day’ and we are gearing up to launch the second edition of the awareness program.

How to get involved:

1. Communicate with and encourage your community to engage in Play True – It Starts With You.
2. Download and share the Play True – It Starts With You assets. Tag WADA and Virtus sport
3. Engage with the #PlayTrueChallenge between 10 March – 10 April 2025.
4. Take part in the Play True Day challenge: Share a video of your #PlayTrueChallenge effort in the lead-up to Play True Day.​
5. Tell your community about the Play True – It Starts With You campaign and activations. Share information to encourage them to participate.

Play True Challenge 2025

From 11 March – 10 April, join the Play True Challenge. A 30-second fitness-based challenge that calls attention to the effort and dedication of athletes and the importance of fair play. Please refer to WADA’s toolkit for details of the #PlayTrueChallenge.

This year, WADA will recognise those who go the extra mile to Play True or participate