Virtus Event Announcement (Sept 2023):
Virtus, the International Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual impairments, is excited to announce that the prestigious 2024 Virtus World Skiing Championship will be hosted in Poland. Set to unfold from March 3rd to 7th, this monumental event will be organised by the Związek Stowarzyszeń Sportowych (SPRAWNI-RAZEM), Virtus member organization in Poland.
Zakopane, the charming “Winter Capital of Poland,” will serve as the backdrop for this grand event. With its breathtaking mountain vistas, scenic wooden architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, Zakopane promises to enchant participants and visitors alike. The city offers a rich variety of winter sports disciplines, from heart-pounding skiing and snowboarding to thrilling ice climbing and biathlon, ensuring a diverse and captivating competition that will leave a lasting impression on athletes and spectators.
Speaking to Virtus, Chairman of Sprawni-Razem, Rafael Gesek, shared his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Our aim is to promote social inclusion, increase awareness of intellectual impairments, and emphasize the positive impact of sports on the lives of athletes with intellectual impairments and autism through this event.”
Sprawni-Razem has an impressive track record of successfully hosting Virtus events and is confident in delivering another exceptional championship.
“We’ve hosted prestigious Virtus athletic events since 2016, like the World Skiing Championships in Zakopane (2016 and 2018), Cross Country Championships in Trzebnica (2019), and Indoor World Championships in Toruń (2020). Our experience ensures we’re ready for the 2024 Virtus World Skiing Championships in Zakopane.”
Alpine events will grace the Kasprowy Wierch Ski Resort, situated atop the northern slopes of Kasprowy Wierch in the Polish Western Tatra Mountains. Kasprowy is Poland’s highest-altitude skiing destination, offering a challenging terrain with a length of over 1600 meters, a vertical drop of 352 meters, and an average slope of 30%. With its alpine character and a demanding black rating certified by FIS (International Ski Federation), it’s a top choice for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.
The Nordic events will be held at Zakopane’s COS-OPO cross-country skiing tracks. These meticulously designed tracks have earned the coveted approval of FIS for hosting prestigious championship events. As winter arrives, these tracks provide an exhilarating experience, featuring a maximum loop length of 2.5 km and a consistently snow-covered 1.0 km track.
