Welcome – we’re so excited to work with you on your application!

Athletes Without Limits is the USA Member of Virtus International
We’re here to help US athletes with Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome and Autism
apply for Virtus (and Paralympic) eligibility in order to access opportunities to compete
— think of us as your Guidance Counselors for higher level sport!

Apply for Virtus Eligibility

1-Get Ready!

Gather the following to upload when you complete the application:
A. Headshot
B. US Passport (or State ID)
C. School IEP & Diagnosis Reports:

To get started, include your School IEP and any other reports you have with your Autism, Intellectual Disability, or Down Syndrome testing & diagnosis. Athletes with Down Syndrome should include any genetic reports and neck X-ray reports for AAI screening you’ve had. We’ll let you know what more may be needed!

For full International requirements download Supporting Documentation for Virtus Sport Eligibility (PDF) — you can share this with your psychologist or doctor if you need new testing.

2-Get Set!

You’ll need a credit card to pay the $150 application fee for National review by AWL and International confirmation by Virtus.
Athletes should have a Parent or Legal Guardian with you when you complete the online application so you can both electronically sign Privacy and Release forms. (If that’s not possible or a helper is assisting we’ll email a pre-filled PDF Release to gather signatures after you apply.)

3-Go!

Complete our online eligibility application to apply — it’s hipaa-friendly and more secure than email:
THE APPLICATION IS TEMPORARILY PASSWORD PROTECTED WHILE WE MAKE A QUICK UPDATE

Apply for Virtus Eligibility (or Submit Additional Information)

Review Results & Timelines:
We’ll post eligible athletes to our Sport Eligibility Lists (and will let U.S. Paralympics know when athletes are also eligible for National Paralympic Classification).

We seen a surge in applications since fall 2025 so appreciate your patience and kindness — eligibility can be complex with long reports as unique as all the incredible athletes who apply! National reviews typically take @ 4 weeks, but can take longer when there are big events with lots of applications, a complex application, or your event is not time-sensitive. Those in events requiring International Virtus confirmation should allow 4-12 weeks (once all information needed has been provided).

Please Contact Us to keep us posted on the time-sensitivity of your events!

Organizations & Events that Recognize Virtus Eligibility

Virtus represents high level athletes (including Paralympians) with intellectual impairments worldwide —
some or all of our Virtus eligibility groups below are recognized organizations both in the US and Internationally!
Visit our Event Calendar for Upcoming Opportunities!

Virtus II1 Group: Intellectual Disability or Autism with Intellectual Disability
Virtus II2 Group: Down Syndrome (or Intellectual Disability with Additional Functional Impairments)
Virtus II3 Group: Autism Open (those not in II1 group above)

Athletes Without Limits Trips to Virtus Events (Open to Virtus II1, II2, and II3):
Virtus eligibility is needed for athletes striving to qualify for an Athletes Without Limits event
or National Team Trip to Virtus International event in 14+ summer and winter sports.

Paralympic Games & Pathways open to Virtus II1/II2 athletes:
World Para Swimming / U.S. Paralympic Swimming (Class S14)
World Athletics / U.S. Paralympic Track & Field (Class T20/F20)
ITTF / U.S. Paralympic Table Tennis (Class 11)

Other organizations open to Virtus II1/II2 athletes:
US Para Karate (Virtus II(P21) and Virtus II2(P22)
U.S. Adaptive Open International Golf Championships (requires Virtus II1/II2 WR4GD World Player Pass )
USDGA Ping National Golf Championships (requires Virtus II1/II2 WR4GD World Player Pass )
And some other U.S. Adaptive Golf Events

Organizations Open to All Virtus Groups (Virtus II1, II2, and II3):
EDGA Golf (Most US Adaptive Events don’t include WR4GD in Virtus II3 – but some EDGA events do!)
World Taekwondo / USA Taekwondo
World Rowing/US Rowing
Move United Events (New in 2026 — events will include Para Classes & all three Virtus Groups!)
Boston Marathon/Half/10k/5k Events (Para Classes & General Adaptive for all Virtus Groups!)
University of Michigan Adaptive Sports/Miller Open (Para Classes & all three Virtus Groups!)
Project Inspire Soccer Teams (Apply using our separate Inspire League Soccer Application
and more!

Visit our Event Calendar for Upcoming Opportunities!