Today, as we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD), we shine a light on the powerful theme of “Amplifying Leadership by Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”

Virtus Ambassador Lenine Cunha, one of the most decorated athletes with an intellectual impairment, personifies this theme through his groundbreaking achievements and relentless advocacy for inclusion. Lenine’s journey is a testament to the power of diverse leadership, marking a new chapter for athletes with disabilities everywhere.

With a legendary career, winning over 200 international medals, including a bronze at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Lenine has established himself as a powerhouse in sports. However, his influence reaches far beyond his athletic record. As an active Virtus Ambassador, Lenine has mentored athletes globally, offering wisdom on competition, resilience, and making informed life choices.

Leadership isn’t new to Lenine. Since 2006, he’s been leading the Portuguese team as the team captain, rallying teammates with motivational talks and practical guidance before competitions to the athletes. In his native Portugal, Lenine often visits schools and universities, sharing his story to inspire others, particularly young people with disabilities.

“When I go to competitions, I’m the captain of the team, so I am a leader. With my experience, I try to help the coaches and the team leader, and I set an example for the athletes. When I speak to young people, I share my sports journey and my personal experiences with meningitis and how I came into sports, how sports changed my life and overcoming bullying. I want them to know that they can overcome anything.”

“I work at Decathlon in Portugal and I am not the team leader but I am one of the bestsellers and I always give advice to my colleagues on how to sell more products and many of them are following my footsteps now.”

Credit: paralympic.org

Earlier this year, Lenine became the first athlete with an intellectual impairment to be elected to the IPC Athletes’ Council, a milestone that symbolizes progress for millions of athletes with intellectual impairments worldwide. Reflecting on his journey to the Council, Lenine admitted,

“I never imagined this level of recognition. When Virtus asked me if I wanted to be a candidate, I thought it was impossible. There were so many famous athletes, and I thought, ‘How could I possibly win? But when I saw the results, when I saw I  won with highest number of votes, I was overwhelmed. It was proof that our community wants representation that understands their experiences.”

During his campaign for the IPC Athletes’ Council, Lenine received widespread support from fellow athletes. “The reactions were overwhelmingly positive,” he shared. “Athletes from around the world were genuinely excited about having someone like me on the Council.” This level of enthusiasm, he says, strengthened his resolve to work for an inclusive future in sports.

Now a member of the IPC Athletes’ Council, Lenine is dedicated to advocating for athletes’ rights, expanding event opportunities, and supporting athletes in their post-competition careers. For Lenine, listening to athletes is the first step in effective leadership.

“We are the voice of the athletes. My focus is on what matters most to them, what issues they face, and what changes we need to address. I am still competing, so I know exactly how they feel, and I’m here to make their concerns heard.”

“Virtus launched an amazing campaign two years ago – #AthleteFirst. For me, #AthleteFirst isn’t just a campaign name, I believe that athletes are at the heart of everything we do. Without them, there would be no championships, no Paralympics. As leaders, we must stand for them and ensure their voices shape the future of sport.”

Lenine Cunha’s story illustrates how the leadership of persons with disabilities can foster a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable world. His journey demonstrates that diversity in leadership doesn’t just benefit those represented—it enriches everyone. With voices like Lenine’s shaping policies and promoting inclusivity, we’re building a future where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to lead, contribute, and inspire.

Today, as we celebrate IDPwD 2024, Lenine’s achievements remind us that amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities is not only necessary but transformative. Through his unwavering dedication, Lenine continues to pave the way for future generations, proving that a truly inclusive future is one that embraces the unique perspectives of all people.

The inaugural US Open National Swimming Championships concluded on a high note, setting the stage for future competitions with an exceptional display of talent and determination. Held November 7-10, 2024, in Orlando, FL at the Rosen Aquatic Center, this groundbreaking event brought together over 100 swimmers representing the USA and seven other countries, all competing with the aim of pushing boundaries, changing perceptions and breaking records. Swimmers competed in one of three classes: Intellectual Impairment (II1), Down Syndrome or Additional Significant Impairment (II2) or Autism (II3).

The championships were a resounding success, with more than sixty world and regional 25m pool records shattered over the course of the event. This remarkable achievement highlights not only the prowess of the athletes but also the growing inclusivity and recognition of swimmers with Autism, Down syndrome, and Intellectual Disabilities in high level sports. The event was result of a collaboration between two leading high performance sport organizations in the US: Athletes Without Limits (AWL) and USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS).

The non-profits champion inclusion and provide opportunities and supports necessary for athletes to maximize their potential. “We couldn’t be more proud of the swimmers from across the US and the globe who competed at such a high level. And we
are proud of the partnership between USADSS and Athletes Without Limits that made this championship possible,” said Barry Holman, President of Athletes Without Limits.

The USADSS AWL Championships is committed to creating a platform that champions inclusivity and excellence. By providing athletes with opportunities to compete against their peers at a national and international level, the event empowers swimmers with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential. “We want to show the world what we see every day – that these are highly competitive swimmers who happen to have a disability. They are swimmers who train hard everyday to be their best and deserve the respect, resources and recognition other high performance athletes get,” said Judy Jurries, President of USA Down Syndrome Swimming.

Pedro Vivas, Colombia’s Coach found that, “Beyond the records broken, what stood out most was the chance to push the limits of what’s possible in a new discipline, which, while novel for many, has proven to be a window for growth and achievement for everyone involved. The enthusiasm was palpable throughout. Colombia’s swimmers, excited by the opportunity to compete internationally and face athletes from other countries, embraced this experience as an invaluable challenge.”

Swimmers hailed from around the globe, including Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, Portugal, Japan, Kazakhstan and Puerto Rico, bringing a truly international flair to the US National Championships. The event fostered a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship, as participants and spectators celebrated each swimmer’s achievements gained through fierce competition. Sanctioned by two international federations (Virtus and DSISO), the swimmer’s achievements in the Rosen 25 meter pool will appear in each federation’s official records. Vincente Pereira (Portugal) topped the record tables with 7 new world marks in the II2 class. USA’s Piper Sadowski (II1) earned 6 records, USA’s Melanie Huang (II3) earned 5 and USA’s Joey Jurries (II2) earned 2.

Full meet results can be found here.

From paralympic.org

The International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council’s first meeting at the new IPC headquarters was recently held in Bonn, Germany. This was also the inaugural session of the new Council, made up of members representing summer Games who were elected at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

During the three-day meeting, held from 18 to 20 November, new members learned about the governance structure of the IPC, classification and anti-doping, among other subjects. The new council elected a new Chairperson and second Vice-Chairperson and set their priorities for the next four years.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the IPC to inform members about their roles and responsibilities. As an athlete centred and membership focused organisation, the IPC Athletes’ Council plays an important role in communicating the needs and concerns of Para athletes to the IPC Governing Board. The Council Chairperson and first Vice-Chairperson also serves as ex officio members of the IPC Governing Board with voting rights.

The IPC Athletes’ Council is the collective voice of Paralympic athletes within the IPC and the greater Paralympic Movement. It serves as an advisory body to the IPC Governing Board, carrying out tasks specifically delegated by the Board.

The Council also took a tour of the new headquarters which boasts an array of accessible and inclusive features. This includes fully accessible workstations, accessible bathrooms, automatic doors for ease of access, and tactile paving for those with a vision impairment.

Lenine Cunha said: “Attending my first IPC Athletes’ Council meetings in Bonn was an amazing experience. The council members were so welcoming and come from really diverse backgrounds which made me feel comfortable even though I was a bit nervous at first.

“Everything became very real the first moment I entered the office, that I am here to make sure all athletes have a voice and to ensure athletes with an intellectual impairment are equally represented. It was great to see how much we could connect as a team. I think the other members can see that I take my role seriously, but I can also be funny and share my personal experiences in discussions.

“There’s a lot of hard work ahead, and I’m ready for it. Four years is only a short time and I want to do everything I can to make sure my time with the IPC Athletes’ Council will create more opportunities and inclusion for everyone in the Paralympic Movement.”

Martina Caironi said: “I really enjoyed our first AC meeting in Bonn, in the new headquarters. All the new members brought a fresh energy to the group and I’m also happy about the election results. Congratulations to Vlada and Yoomin. I’m excited to work with the new team for the next four years and help the athletes’ community to grow. It is right to say that ‘Change Start With Sport’.”

IPC President Andrew Parsons also spoke with the Council members through a video call.

The IPC Athletes’ Council is made up of nine athletes in total, which includes six summer athletes and three winter athletes.

The six summer sport members are: Martina Caironi (Italy, Para athletics), Lenine Cunha (Portugal, Para athletics), Vladyslava Kravchenko (Malta, Para swimming), Denise Schindler (Germany, Para cycling), Yujiao Tan (China, Para powerlifting) and Yoomin Won (Korea, wheelchair basketball).

The three winter sport council members are Josh Dueck (Canada, Para alpine skiing), Mitchell Gourley (Australia, Para alpine skiing) and Birgit Skarstein (Norway, Para nordic skiing).

In addition to the nine elected members, the IPC Athletes’ Council can appoint up to five additional members on two-year terms, to ensure there is balance between gender, regions, sports and disability groups. Presently this includes Grigorios Polychronidis (Greece, boccia).

For the first time, the Council also includes an athlete with an intellectual impairment represented by Lenine Cunha (Portugal, Para athletics).

We are thrilled to announce that Virtus Sport has officially become a member of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO). This is a significant milestone for the Virtus family and our efforts to promote and support athletes with an intellectual impairment. 

APSO is a collective of International Federations and organisations governing sports in the Paralympic programme. By joining, Virtus gains access to a powerful network of like-minded organisations committed to elevating the Paralympic movement and advocating for the rights and opportunities of athletes. 

“We are delighted to join APSO. We aim to work together to enhance visibility within the Paralympic community, receiving the recognition they deserve for their incredible talents and achievements”, said Marc Truffaut, Virtus President. 

“As a member of APSO, we will have a stronger voice in advocating for the interests of our athletes and ensuring they receive the opportunities and support they need to excel,” he further added. 

Excited with the collaboration, APSO President, Sabrina Ibáñez said,

“We’re pleased to welcome Virtus as an APSO member. As a founding IPC partner and key Paralympic stakeholder, Virtus brings invaluable expertise to support International Federations in engaging athletes with intellectual impairments. With Virtus on board, our collective voice grows even stronger.”

Currently, APSO has twenty International Federations in membership. Virtus joins as an Affiliate member.