Athletes Without Limits

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Public image for use on news and information sites. Credit London 2012.

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Micheal Murray

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Michael Murray is the first athlete with intellectual disability to represent Team USA at the IPC Athletics World Championships January 2011.

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Athletes Without Limits newest board member Diaa Nour is an avid runner and finds sport a great way to balance a busy business career.

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Can you run a 4-minute mile?

Swim 100 meters under a minute?

High jump over 7 feet?

Compete in a 5-day mountain stage race in Europe?

There are athletes with intellectual disability from around the world who do achieve such great heights, but few are from the United States—we need your help to change that. At the 2009 Global Games World Championships for athletes with intellectual disability there were 50-100 athletes each from the countries of Australia, France, Italy, Portugal, South Africa and Brazil — yet only 3 were from the US. We think world championship trophies are exciting and we want to win some for the US — so do athletes with intellectual disability (despite a common misconception that athletes with intellectual impairment lack competitiveness). But they can’t do it without financial support. Your tax-deductible gift will go directly toward providing talented US athletes with intellectual disability the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of their sport and to proudly represent themselves and the United States at international world championship level competitions including the 2012 Paralympics. About Monthly Giving: Each month your contribution is automatically transferred from your account to Athletes Without Limits. For example, if you choose to make a monthly donation of $25 today, we will automatically charge your credit card or bank account $25 on the 20th of each month. You will receive an initial acknowledgment of your pledge and then a tax receipt for your cumulative annual contributions at the end of each fiscal year. You can increase, decrease, or suspend your gift amount at any time by calling Julie Holman at (202) 544-0510. Athletes Without Limits is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; in-kind and cash donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. View the Athletes Without Limits Privacy Policy .

Requirements from Psychologist

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Licensed psychologists who are assisting athletes with the INAS-FID classification application must meet the two requirements described below.

Requirement 1: Provide Primary Evidence of Intellectual Disability

The primary eligibility criteria used by the International Federation for Intellectual Disability Sport (INAS-FID) is based upon the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability (AAIDD, 2002) definition of intellectual disability which is consistent with that of the World Health Organization (WHO, ICD-10 and ICF, 2001), and states: “Intellectual Disability is a disability characterized by significant limitation both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.” Based on this definition, athletes must meet all three elements of the following criteria ( regardless of diagnosis) to be eligible for consideration for intellectual disability sport at INAS-FID or International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned events:

A) Intellectual Functioning

Significant impairment in intellectual functioning is defined as 2 standard deviations below the mean, that is, a Full Scale IQ score of 75 or lower. INAS-Recognized IQ Tests: Diagnosis of Intellectual Functioning must be made using an internationally recognized and professionally administered IQ test given within the last 5 years. Recommended for US Athletes: Wechsler Intelligence Scales (Including WISC for children 6-16; or WAIS for adults 16-90; HAWIE; SSAIS and MAWIE etc.) Other recognized tests: Stanford-Binet or Raven Matrices Application Requirements: Copy of summary sheet (or the full test if official summary sheet is not available) of INAS-recognized IQ assessment administered within the last 5 years.

B) Adaptive Behavior

Significant limitations in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills is defined as performance that is at least 2 standard deviations below the mean of, either:   i) One of the following 3 types of adaptive behavior: conceptual, social, or practical skills , OR ii) An overall score on a standardized measure of conceptual, social and practical skills. INAS-Recognized Adaptive Behavior Tests: Diagnosis of adaptive behavior must be made using an internationally recognized and professionally administered standardized measure that has been norm-referenced on the general population including people with disabilities. Assessment must have been given in last 5 years. Recommended for US Athletes: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Other recognized tests: ABAS or AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scales. Application Requirements: Copy of summary sheet (or the full test if no official summary sheet is available) of INAS-recognized adaptive behavior test administered within the last 5 years.

C) Age of Onset

Intellectual disability must be evident during the developmental period—from conception to 18 years old. Application Requirements: Copy of official summary sheet of an IQ test conducted before the age of 18, or signed declaration from a current psychologist stating clearly the evidence on which the diagnosis is based as part of the “Psychologist’s Report” described on the following page.

Requirement 2: Psychologist's Report

Psychologists who are assisting athletes with the INAS-FID eligibility application must also provide a typed report on psychologist’s official letterhead using the template below. A text version can be downloaded directly from: www.athleteswithoutlimits.org/downloads/psychtemplate.zip Note: The report must be printed on psychologist’s official letterhead. ATHLETE’S NAME: INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING Date of IQ Assessment: Location where IQ Assessment was given: Name of Test Used: Version of Test Used: Summary of each domain/sub-test and the score achieved: Summary of assessment results showing full scale IQ: Include short narrative/description. ___A copy of the summary sheet showing all scores has been provided (Or full test where summary sheet is not available) ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR Location where Adaptive Behavior Assessment was given: Name/Method of Assessment Used: Summary for each domain:

Communication: Include short narrative/description.
Self-care: Include short narrative/description.
Self-direction: Include short narrative/description.
Social/interpersonal skills: Include short narrative/description.
Ability to respond to life changes and environmental demand: Include short narrative/description.

Summary/final diagnosis on significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior: Include short narrative/description. ___A copy of the summary sheet showing all scores has been attached. (Or full test where summary sheet is not available.) AGE OF ONSET PRIOR TO 18 [Include only one of the three scenarios below and delete the other two] ___Latest IQ assessment was before the age of 18, therefore  no further documentation is required. OR ___Latest IQ assessment was after age 18, however earlier IQ assessment was given prior to age of 18: Date of IQ Assessment Given Before Age of 18: Name of Test Used: Version of Test Used: Summary of Assessment Results showing full scale IQ: Include short narrative/description. ___A copy of the summary sheet showing scores of an earlier IQ assessment given before the age of 18 has been attached. OR ___No IQ assessment is available before age of 18, however, it is clear that age of onset was prior to 18 based on the following evidence: Include declaration and evidence on which it is based here. PSYCHOLOGIST’S INFORMATION Psychologist name: Psychologist qualifications: Psychologist phone/fax: Psychologist email address: Psychologist's Signature: ____________________ [END OF REPORT] Go to next page: Drug Testing & Medications

2010 Events

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:39:20 +0000

Competitions for INAS-FID Eligible Athletes

US Athletes who have completed the INAS-FID eligibility application process with Athletes Without Limits and who meet any event-specific criteria (such as qualification times) will be invited to travel as part of the USA Team Delegation to events requiring INAS-FID eligibility, including World Championships, INAS Europe and INAS Americas Regional Championships, and National US events. Athletes Without Limits will organize trips to events based on athlete interest. If you are interested in competing, please review the eligibility requirements and contact us via email or call 202-544-0510. In General, Athletes Without Limits should receive the INAS-FID Athlete Eligibility Application at least 5 months prior to the competition date in order to athletes to be considered for the events listed below. Click on the event name for more information. (Details will be added as information becomes available.) February 21-27, 2010 2nd European Futsal (Indoor Soccer) Championships Guarda, Portugal Organized by: INAS Europe March 4-8, 2010 5th World Cross Country Championships Vac, Pest, Hungary Organized by: INAS FID Registration: The entry deadline has passed or this event. April 14,19, 2010 6th World Indoor Athletics Championships Bolinas, Sweden Organized by: INAS FID Registration: The entry deadline has passed or this event. June 1-7, 2010 5th Open European Cycling Championships Mangualde, Portugal Organized by: INAS Europe June 15-20, 2010 5th Open European Swimming Championships Loano, Italy Organized by: INAS Europe July 7-12, 2010 5th Open European Athletics Championships Varazdin, Croatia Organized by: INAS Europe Aug 21-September 12, 2010 5th World Football (Soccer) Championships Limpopo, South Africa Organized by: INAS FID October 31-November 7, 2010 2020 FISA World Rowing Championships (on water) Karapiro, New Zealand Organized by: FISA Dates To Be Determined for the following: 3rd World Half Marathon Championships (Brasil) Americas Cross Country Championships (Ecuador) 6th World Basketball Championships (Portugal) 5th Open Table Tennis Championships (Poland) 1st Open European Judo Championships (France) Future events are being planned and will be posted as information becomes available.

2009 Events

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:40:51 +0000

(Athletes Without Limits became the US Member of INAS-FID in March 2009) 2009 Global Games July 4-15, 2009 Liberec, Czech Republic Organizer: INAS-FID

Overview of Athlete Eligibility Process

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:09:47 +0000

As the US member of INAS-FID, Athletes Without Limits handles eligibility for US athletes interested in competing in INAS-FID or international Paralympic (IPC) competion. We also organize US teams, coaching, registration and travel arrangements to INAS-FID events. INAS-FID is the International Federation for Intellectual Disability Sport. INAS-FID is responsible for managing and overseeing the classification process for athletes wishing to compete within the intellectual disability sport classification in INAS-FID and international Paralympic (IPC) competition.

2010 CLASSIFICATION PROCESS

The classification of athletes with an intellectual disability is a two stage process based on the 2008 adoption of the IPC Classification Code:

STAGE 1. Primary Eligibility Check

Athletes seeking eligibility are required to present primary evidence of intellectual disability by meeting three INAS-FID requirements regardless of diagnosis: 1. Intellectual Functioning (IQ) at or below 75 2. Significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior 3. Proof of onset before age 18 Athlete Eligibility Application: To demonstrate the above, athlete’s must complete pages 1-2 of the 2010 Athlete Application PDF as well as provide supporting documentation from a licensed psychologist, along with proof of identity and 3 passport photos. In addition, a coach’s survey or Training History & Sport Activity Limitations (TSAL) must be completed by the athlete’s coach for research purposes. (The coach's survey does not affect an athlete's eligibility and is included in the 2010 Athlete Application PDF above). Athletes Taking Medication: Athletes who require medications that are on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned substance list will also need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) completed by the prescribing physician. Athletes Without Limits should receive applications at least 5-6 months prior to competition for which the athlete is being considered. If the five month advance is not possible, please contact us so we can determine a workable time line. It is important that athletes are not given the expectation that they will be able to compete in a specific competition until after the eligibility process is completed. Once we receive your application, a member of the Athletes Without Limits US Eligibility Committee (licensed psychologist) will call parents/guardians to discuss eligibility likelihood. If the athlete meets all requirements, we will send the application to the INAS-FID International Eligibility Panel for final approval. Stage I paperwork only needs to be completed once for eligibility at INAS-FID events going forward, however INAS-FID may request additional or updated documentation. For example, once the IQ assessment on file becomes older than 5 years, a new IQ assessment result summary will need to be submitted. Once athletes have successfully completed stage one, they will appear in the Classification Master List published at www.inas-fid.org and may participate in INAS-FID and IPC events.

STAGE 2. Sports-Specific Classification

A second stage of sport-specific classification will be introduced over 2009-2010 INAS-FID events 1) as part of ongoing scientific research on how intellectual disability affects sport and 2) in compliance with Paralympic re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability. Stage II involves athlete interviews and observation of athletes while competing in their sport at INAS/IPC competitions and is a way to confirm eligibility paperwork more accurately. Athletes Without Limits will provide more information on what, if any, sport-specific testing may be incorporated into upcoming competitions as information becomes available from INAS-FID. As of December 2009, sport-specific testing is still voluntary; results will not prevent athletes from competing if the primary eligibility check (Stage I) has been completed.

Advocacy

withoutlimits — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:14:53 +0000

Athletes Without Limits advocates for US athletes with intellectual disability to ensure they have the same resources and opportunities to compete to their full potential as non-disabled athletes.

Some of this work involves working with event promoters to include a class for athletes with intellectual disability (similar to an age or gender breakdown for award purposes) at mainstream sporting events so that athletes are not always in isolated/segregated events, but rather, participate in both the fun and challenges of open competition in mainstream sport. Some of our latest achievements are featured below: [catlist name=advocacy excerpt=yes]

Vote. Yes. 2012.

withoutlimits — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:17:53 +0000

As the world's leader in disability rights, the US must be compelled to vote “yes” for re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into the Paralympics at the November 21, 2009 IPC General Assembly. Show your support for a "yes" vote by signing up below.

Motion For Re-inclusion Submitted Jointly by the IPC and INAS-FID:

The IPC General Assembly (i) acknowledges the progress made by the joint IPC/INAS-FID Working Group in defining and assessing general eligibility, sport specificity and on-site testing and protest management; (ii) notes that the system currently developed uses a scientific approach that is compliant with the IPC Classification Code; and (iii) notes that effective sports input has been ensured. Thereby, the IPC General Assembly confirms that the criteria and processes for the re- inclusion of athletes with an intellectual disability (ID) in Paralympic sport as specified by previous IPC General Assemblies have been met. Therefore, subject to compliance with the sports specific minimal disability scores outlined in the attached rationale, the IPC General Assembly recognizes that athletes with intellectual disability will be eligible to compete in the respective International Federation sanctioned competitions, including the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Sign the Petition

Sign our letter to the US Paralympic Committee urging them to vote “yes”on re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities for the 2012 London Paralympics to end nine years of exclusion. [The sign up period has ended. Thanks to all those who signed up and showed your support!]

FAQ

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:52:12 +0000

1. How is INAS/Paralympic competition different from Special Olympics? (From the INAS website) "INAS believes that persons with intellectual disability have the right to participate in the sport of their choice at the level of ability they desire and achieve. This may be in banded competition as organised by Special Olympics or in open competition as promoted by INAS. Banded competition is competition between athletes of approximately similar disability. Thus for instance there could be a hundred metres event for four different levels of ability and there would then be four gold medal winners. The level of ability (in which band should an athlete be placed) is identified through pre-competitions prior to the main games." Open competition is competition as at the Olympics. INAS' choice for open competition is based on the principle of normalization. Participation in INAS competitions is based on an athlete's performances, as in able bodied sport. INAS is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). INAS competitions are run on the strict rules of the International Federations (for athletics IAAF, for basketball FIBA, etcetera)." "Although the philosophies and structures of Special Olympics and INAS differ, they both play an important role in sport for persons with intellectual disability. Both organisations are not competitive but complementary to each other. Many national member organisations in membership of INAS offer in their respective countries both the programmes of Special Olympics and INAS, depending the wishes and abilities of their athletes."

2. Can/should athletes compete in both INAS/Paralympic and Special Olympic events?

Athletes who join Athletes Without Limits in order to represent the USA at INAS competitions generally have competed very successfully in Special Olympics in their chosen sports and are ready for the additional challenges offered by INAS "open" competition (See 1. Above). Athletes Without Limits encourages these athletes to train with mainstream teams (e.g.: US Masters Swim Team) and compete in mainstream events (e.g.: USA Cycling Road Races) in their chosen sport in order to 1) prepare for the 'open competition" format at INAS events, 2) be competitive at an international level, and 3) help advance our mission of inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into mainstream sport. Some Athletes Without Limits members continue to compete in Special Olympics for social and recreational purposes and/or in sports not currently offered in INAS competition including: Badminton, Bocce, Bowling, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Floorball, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Netball, Play Activities, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Sailing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Softball, Speed Skating, Team Handball, Unified Sports and Volleyball.

Direct Debit (EFT) vs. Credit Card Donations

withoutlimits — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:18:28 +0000

For the convenience of our donors we offer multiple methods of payment, but though you would like to know more about how those donations are processed.

Credit Card: When you donate with your credit card we have to pay transaction fees as well as a % of your gift to the merchant (VISA @X%, Mastercard@X%, AmEx @X%, or Discover@X%)
Direct Debit (EFT): When you use direct debit or "electronic funds transfer" (EFT) we only pay a set processing fee ($X/transaction) rather than a percentage of your gift.
Check: If you mail us a check it costs us the staff time it takes to make mail deposits and enter your data into our database.

For example: A $50 donation by EFT will cost approximately $ to process, while a $50 by credit card will cost approximately $ to process. A $10/month recurring gift by EFT will cost us approximately $ to process, while a $10/month recurring gift by credit card will cost approximately $ to process. Mailed checks from your checkbook or bank's online billpay only cost us the staff time required to make bank deposits so despite seeming a bit "old-fashioned" are currently still a cost-effective way to process a donation if this is your preferred donation method.

Position Openings

withoutlimits — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:08:31 +0000

January 2011

GG11 Volunteer Fundraisers

Athletes Without Limits is recruiting volunteers to help with our Global Games 2011 (GG11) Fundraising Campaign. If you have fundraising experience or just want to help get US athletes to Liguria, Italy in September 2011, please contact our Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator, Melani Hom at melani@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Press Room

withoutlimits — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:36:10 +0000

Below you’ll find Athletes Without Limits press releases. If you are a member of the media and have questions or would like to request photos, please contact Jennifer Tetrick at jennifer@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Archived Pages

withoutlimits — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:11:54 +0000

Make an Online Donation

withoutlimits — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:42:15 +0000

Make a Monthly Pledge

withoutlimits — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:42:15 +0000

Athlete Application

withoutlimits — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:43:32 +0000

Who’s Eligible? In order to compete in events organized by INAS or Paralympics athletes must complete an eligibility application to provide proof of intellectual disability based on three main criteria established by INAS and the International Paralympic Committee: 1) IQ of 75 or below 2) Significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior 3) Onset before age 18 Step 1: Discuss Goals with Athletes Without Limits Staff Contact us at 202-544-0510 or info@athleteswithoutlimits.org to discuss the athlete’s eligibility likelihood, current skill level, training program and athletic goals so we can determine next steps and appropriate opportunities. Step 2: Complete Athlete Eligibility Application If you have talked with our staff and are ready to apply for eligibility, you can download the 2010 Athlete Application using the link above. Applications should be received by Athletes Without Limits at least 5-6 months prior to any competition in which the athlete may be interested in competing but please contact us to confirm exact deadlines for a specific event. Download 2011 Athlete Application Note: Registered athletes who want to apply for a second sport should use the 2011 Additional Sport Application. Step 3: Athletes Requiring Medication Athletes who require a medication found on the current Prohibited Drug List will need to apply for permission to compete while taking the medication called a Therapeutic Drug Use Exemption or (TUE). • Check if the medication is prohibited: Download 2011 Prohibited Drug List. • If the medication is on the prohibited list: Download US Athlete Medication Exemption Form (TUE). Learn more about the anti-doping policy on our Drug Testing & Medication page.

withoutlimits — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:43:32 +0000

Donate spare change via SwipeGood

withoutlimits — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:13:16 +0000

Screen shot 2011-05-13 at 2.07.47 PM

withoutlimits — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:27:13 +0000

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withoutlimits — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:38:07 +0000

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withoutlimits — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:48:32 +0000

About

withoutlimits — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:15:41 +0000

This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.

Sports

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:25:01 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is currently focusing recruiting efforts on those sports most likely to be re-included in the 2012 Paralympics (Athletics, Swimming, Rowing & Table Tennis) as well as cycling because of the strong medal performances of US cyclists at the 2009 Global Games.

Athletics (Track & Field and Cross Country)
Cycling
Swimming
Rowing
Table Tennis
Other Sports
- Basketball (FIBA Rules)
- Futsal/Indoor Soccer (FIFA Futsal Rules)
- Soccer (FIFA Rules)
- Tennis (ITF Rules)
- Skiing Alpine/Downhill (FIS Rules)
- Skiing Cross Country (FIS Rules)

Help Us Make History

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:05:25 +0000

There are lots of ways to get involved in the exciting lives of athletes with intellectual disability who are changing stereotypes and making history by competing in open sport at the World Championship level....

Sponsor

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:06:01 +0000

Become a Sponsor

Do you have goods or services that can help Athletes Without Limits provide for our members? Become an Athletes Without Limits sponsor. Donations are tax-deductible and we’ll show off your products or services throughout our world travels! Examples include athletic gear and clothing, sports nutrition products for athletes in training, USA pins, buttons and other paraphanalia to trade at international competitions, office equipment, printing services and software or other nonprofit/business administration services. Please contact us for more information on how you can help aspiring Paralympians!

Thanks Sponsors!

Athletes Without Limits would like to thank the following sponsors for offering support to our team of US athletes with intellectual disability and athletic dreams.

Mountain Khakis, LLC

Mountain Khakis outfitted the USA Global Games team in comfortable and durable shorts, pants and capris. Check out this great photo of the team en route to the Czech Republic in Mountain Khakis. Visit the Mountain Khakis Facebook page to find out more about this adventurous company.

Fuji Bikes

Two Fuji bikes traveled with us to the Global Games and between them won 5 medals. Thanks for the fast bikes and for supporting our cyclist Syd Lea throughout his career.

Clif Bar

Clif Bar kept our cyclist and swimmers hydrated and energized with bars, shots, blocks and drinks. We couldn't have competed in 12 swim events in four days without our favorite Cran-Razz Electrolytes and Recovery.

Speedo

Thanks to Speedo for providing discounts on the Team USA kit and Aardvark Swim Shop for your help and support in placing the order. The Global Games team looked great in Speedo USA warm-ups, polos and swimsuits.

Aardvark Swim Shop

Thanks to Aardvark Swim Shop for their help and support in organizing our Speedo order before the Global Games and guiding us on technical swimsuit rules and regulations.

ROI Solutions

ROI Solutions is helping Athletes Without Limits set up online giving through their Revolution Online database helping us manage our Online and Monthly Giving programs.

FWD Media

Richard Murby of FWD Media in Washington DC attended the 2009 Global Games to document the athletes' experiences on film. He also provided essential support as assistant cycling coach to silver medalist Syd Lea.

Join our Email List

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:06:26 +0000

We invite athletes, parents, coaches, sponsors, and friends interested in high-level sport to follow along as we develop talented athletes with intellectual disability. Use the sign-up form below to join our email list. You'll receive general updates on athletes, events and organizational development. *Our list is secured and managed by iContact; you can unsubscribe completely at any time. iContact: Email Marketing You Can Trust. View the Athletes Without Limits Privacy Policy.

Contact

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:08:21 +0000

Athlete Eligibility If you are looking for the athlete eligibility application, click here. Mail Athletes Without Limits 2000 M Street NW Suite 520 Washington DC 20036 Email info@athleteswithoutlimits.org Phone & Fax (202) 544-0510

Medication & Drug Testing

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:37:44 +0000

Anti-Doping Drug Testing

In 2004, INAS adopted the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Code as the basis for the fight against doping in sport. INAS competitions adhere to the same anti-doping rules as the Olympics and other international level mainstream sport. A random sampling of athletes may be asked to provide samples for drug testing while participating in competitions or at other times in conformity with the International Standard for Testing. To learn more about anti-doping including an online quiz, doping control video, athlete rights and responsibilities, and specific illnesses and medications visit the WADA website.

Athletes Requiring Medication

If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition does appear on the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may give that athlete the authorization to take the needed medicine while competing. Medication Exemptions (TUEs) are granted for a specific medication with a defined dosage. If dosage or medication changes, a new TUE must be submitted. TUEs are granted for a specific period of time and do expire, usually within one to three years. Upon expiration, a new TUE must be submitted by the athlete with an updated doctor's signature. Make sure to check the latest Prohibited List upon each renewal as it can change from year-to-year.

How to Apply for (or Renew) a Medication Exemption:

Check if the medication is currently prohibited: Download 2011 Prohibited Drug List.
If the medication is on the prohibited list: Download US Athlete Medication Exemption Form (TUE). You will need to work with your prescribing doctor, who must provide supporting documentation. If the medication is for Asthma: Download additional information about TUE’s and Asthma. If the medication is for ADHD: Download additional information about TUE’s and ADHD.
Send 1 copies of the completed TUE Form and supporting documentation to Athletes Without Limits. We will work with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to get a their required signature, and will then forward the application to the INAS Medical Officer for final approval.

Questions: Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Cycling

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:26:13 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented cyclists with intellectual disability to represent the US at upcoming national and international cycling events.

As the US member of INAS, Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for US cyclists to compete at the highest levels in their sport. International competitions are already being organized by INAS and are run according to UCI rules and distances. Just like in Olympic competition, there are no separate categories by ability level—the top three competitors win Gold, Silver and Bronze in each event. Overall winners will be based on finishes of each event. Qualified athletes may be able to travel to national and international competitions with the US delegation. Athletes must meet the INAS eligibility requirements and complete the eligibility application to be considered. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested in competing in or aspiring to compete in national and international elite level competition. We look forward to meeting you!

International: INAS Cycling

The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS) offers world championship level cycling events and stage races for cyclists with intellectual disability. INAS competitors are an elite group of athletes from around the world making great achievements in cycling and other sports, and we are proud that US cyclist Syd Lea is among them—taking 2nd overall in a 5-day stage race at the 2009 Global Games. But Syd needs teammates in order to be as competitive as possible and in order for the US to participate in team time trial events, therefore Athletes Without Limits is actively recruiting talented cyclists with intellectual disability to join the our US Cycling Team. Interested US athletes will work with Athletes Without Limits (the US member of INAS) to complete the athlete eligibility process in order to compete in INAS events. Athletes Without Limits will organize trips to INAS cycling events based on athlete interest. Please contact us for more information. Rules: All INAS-FID cycling competitions are held according to INAS Cycling Specifications and are officiated by the International Cycling Union (UCI). As with all INAS competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.

National: Cycling Opportunities in the US

Those new to road cycling may want to try a Special Olympics cycling event. Athletes Without Limits co-founders Tracy Lea and Barry Holman organize a Special Olympics Cycling event that is paired with a Juniors (non-disabled) event each year. Athletes are also encouraged look for a local club or team to train with and when ready join USA Cycling to compete in mainstream cycling events. Newly registered athletes begin as Category 5 (beginner) racers and can move up to higher categories through race results. Athletes may want to consider participating in Road Races and/or Time Trials in spring and summer as well as Cyclocross events in the fall.

Cycling News & Events:

Rowing

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:27:29 +0000

If you are interested in any of the rowing opportunities below for athletes with intellectual disability, please contact us at 202-544-5010 or info@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Local

Join the Athletes Without Limits Rowing Team (DC, Maryland, Virginia)

Athletes Without Limits has partnered with DC Strokes and USRowing's America Rows program to start an Athletes Without Limits Rowing Team! We currently have a team of four who partner with rowers from Wakefield High School. If you live in the DC, Maryland or Virginia area and are interested in participating in our learn to row program please contact us.

National

Other Rowing Opportunities throughout the US

Athletes Without Limits supports the identification and development of US rowers with intellectual disability—please contact us if you are interested in learning more about rowing opportunities in the US. The USRowing website provides a list of rowing clubs by area. Interested athletes should register for a learn to row (sweep boats) program at their local rowing club. The website also contains information on how to qualify for the US National Teams (which is the path toward qualifying for the US Paralympic Rowing team in 2016). Please contact us if you know of or need help finding opportunities for rowers with intellectual disability to train and compete.

International

INAS Rowing with Athletes Without Limits

The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS) introduced indoor rowing (1,000m on a stationary ergometer) as a demonstration sport at the 2009 Global Games. US swimmer Gail Morning ranked in the top 12 on the 1,000m ergometer challenge! For the 2011 Global Games there will be both erg and on-water demonstration competitions. The first INAS sanctioned Indoor World Rowing Championships was held in Hong Kong on November 16-21, 2009 (registration deadline has passed). There are 4 distances 500m, 1000m, 2000m and a 4×500m relay. Athletes will be divided by gender and age groups: Junior (Up to 18), Under 23, and Senior (23+). Additional events, including the 2nd INAS Indoor World Rowing Championships are being planned. Athletes Without Limits will organize a trips to INAS rowing events based on athlete interest. Interested athletes must work with Athletes Without Limits, the US Member of INAS, to become INAS registered prior to competing in any INAS rowing event (See Eligibility). All INAS rowing competitions are held according to the rules of and officiated by the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) and INAS. As with all INAS competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.

FISA & Paralympic Rowing (Coxed 4)

In addition to INAS rowing competitions, there are FISA sanctioned rowing events (on water) that are open to INAS-registered athletes. The International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) promotes the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities into mainstream rowing world championships by including an adaptive rowing classification for a mixed coxed four for athletes with intellectual disability (LTAIDMix4+) racing 1,000 meters. Read more about adaptive rowing at FISA’s website. Paralympic Rowing Following the November 2009 vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition, rowing is one of the inclusive sports with a mixed gender coxed 4 racing over 1,000 meters. US rowers with intellectual disability will have the opportunity to qualify to represent the US at the London 2016 Games. More information will be posted as it becomes available, however the IPC has stated that meeting INAS eligibility criteria (which is managed by Athletes Without Limits in the US) is the first step toward obtaining a FISA/Paralympic "ID" rowing classification. The competition path toward making the US Paralympic Team in rowing is through US Rowing's National Team programs (see below).

Rowing News & Events

For a complete list of USRowing Events, which may offer opportunities for the newly recognized "ID" class visit: www.usrowing.org.

Swimming

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:28:17 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented swimmers with intellectual disability to represent the US at upcoming national and international swim meets.

As the US member of INAS, Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for US swimmers to compete at the highest levels in their sport. International competitions are already being organized by INAS and the IPC and are run according to FINA rules. Just like in Olympic competition, there are no separate categories by ability level—the top three times in each event win Gold, Silver and Bronze. Qualified athletes may be able to travel to international competitions with the US delegation and there are new opportunities for Paralympic competition now that a class for intellectual disability has been added at the IPC World Championships and London 2012 Paralympics and other IPC Swimming events. Athletes must meet the INAS eligibility requirements and complete the eligibility application to be considered and there are often time standards for events. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested in competing in or aspiring to compete in national and international elite level competition. We look forward to meeting you!

International: INAS Swimming

The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) offers world championship level swimming events for athletes with intellectual disability. INAS competitors are an elite group of athletes from around the world making great achievements in swimming. See the world records and rankings on the INAS website to see just how fast world champion athletes with intellectual disability are. We are excited to have two US swimmers among those rankings from the July 2009 trip to Global Games. We look forward to seeing more US swimmers in those rankings in years to come! Interested US athletes should work with Athletes Without Limits to complete the athlete eligibility process in order to compete in INAS swimming events. Athletes Without Limits will organize trips to INAS swim events based on athlete interest. Please contact us for more information. Rules: All INAS swimming competitions are held according to INAS Swimming Specifications and are officiated by the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). As with all INAS-FID competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.

Paralympic Swimming

Following the November 2009 vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition, IPC Swimming is one of the inclusive sports. US swimmers with intellectual disability have the opportunity to qualify to represent the US at the London 2012 Games or other IPC Swimming events such as World Championships. More information will be posted as it becomes available, however the IPC has stated that meeting INAS eligibility criteria (which is managed by Athletes Without Limits in the US) is the first step toward Paralympic classification. Note: The Paralympic swimming class for athletes with intellectual disability is "14." The Prefix S to the class denotes the class for Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly (ex: S14); The Prefix SB to the class denotes the class for Breaststroke (e.g." SB14); The Prefix SM to the class denotes the class for Individual Medley (e.g. SM14).

National: Swimming Opportunities in the US

Athletes Without Limits supports the identification and development of US swimmers with intellectual disability—please contact us if you are interested in learning more about swimming opportunities in the US. The US Swimming website provides a list of swimming clubs by area. For athletes aged 18 and over the US Masters Swimming website also provides a list of swimming clubs.

Swimming News & Events

For a complete list of US Paralympic Swimming Events which —denoted or not on the event materials— are now open to athletes with intellectual disability (Class S14, SB14, SM14) visit www.usparalympics.org. (Note that event materials may not have been updated to provide details for the new class for athletes with intellectual disability.)

How to Apply

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:36:19 +0000

Who's Eligible?

In order to compete in events organized by INAS or Paralympics athletes must complete an eligibility application to provide proof of intellectual disability based on three main criteria established by INAS and the International Paralympic Committee:

1) IQ of 75 or below 2) Significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior 3) Onset before age 18

Step 1: Discuss Goals with Athletes Without Limits Staff

Contact us at 202-544-0510 or info@athleteswithoutlimits.org to discuss the athlete’s eligibility likelihood, current skill level, training program and athletic goals so we can determine next steps and appropriate opportunities.

Step 2: Complete Athlete Eligibility Application

If you have talked with our staff and are ready to apply for eligibility, you can download the 2010 Athlete Application using the link above. Applications should be received by Athletes Without Limits at least 5-6 months prior to any competition in which the athlete may be interested in competing but please contact us to confirm exact deadlines for a specific event. Note: Registered athletes who want to apply for a second sport should use the 2011 Additional Sport Application.

Download 2011 Athlete Application

Step 3: Athletes Requiring Medication

Athletes who require a medication found on the current Prohibited Drug List will need to apply for permission to compete while taking the medication called a Therapeutic Drug Use Exemption or (TUE). • Check if the medication is prohibited: Download 2011 Prohibited Drug List. • If the medication is on the prohibited list: Download US Athlete Medication Exemption Form (TUE). Learn more about the anti-doping policy on our Drug Testing & Medication page.

Eligibility Committee

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:37:51 +0000

Eligibility Committee

Purpose

The Athletes Without Limits Eligibility Committee 1) reviews INAS Eligibility Applications submitted by US athletes to ensure all necessary supporting documentation has been provided 2) determines if the athlete meets the eligibility requirements of INAS, and if so 3) sends the application to the INAS-FID International Eligibility Committee for final review and approval.

Committee Members

JULIE HOLMAN, Eligibility Committee Chair Ms. Holman has extensive experience in sport, communications and nonprofit governance and works with athlete's parents/guardians, the National Eligibility Officers, and INAS staff to oversee the eligibility process for US athletes. PAMELA MEEK Ph.D., National Eligibility Officer Dr. Meek has worked as a child psychologist for over 30 years providing therapy, consultation and psychological evaluations for children, families and schools. She reviews athlete applications providing evidence of intellectual disability to determine eligibility for INAS and Paralympic competition. BRADY HAYCOCK PsyD., National Eligibility Officer Brady is a licensed psychologist who currently works with students at See Forever Foundation's Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools in Washington D.C. She reviews athlete applications providing evidence of intellectual disability to determine eligibility for INAS and Paralympic competition. If you have questions about eligibility please email Julie Holman at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or call 202-544-0510.

Privacy

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:32:03 +0000

Our Commitment To Privacy Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on our homepage and at every point where personally identifiable information may be requested. The Information We Collect Online This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on the Athletes Without Limits website. On some pages you can subscribe to our email list. The subscription form is securely and privately managed through our account with iContact. The types of personal information collected for our email list include:

Name
Email address
State
Sport
Relationship to us: (example Athlete, Parent/Guardian, Coach, Friend/Other)

On some pages you can make a donation to Athletes Without Limits. The donation form, credit card processing and our donor database is securely managed securely and privately through our partnership with ROI Solutions. The types of personal information collected for donations include:

Name
Address
Email address
Phone Number
Credit Card
Relationship to us: (example Athlete, Parent/Guardian, Coach, Friend/Other)
Donation dedication (Person's name and email or address)

The Way We Use Online Information We use the information you provide about yourself when subscribing to our email list only to complete and acknowledge your subscription process through our email list management partner iContact. We do not share this information with outside parties. We use the information you provide about yourself when donating only to complete and acknowledge your donation through our database and merchant account partner ROI Solutions. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete the credit card charges. We offer the option to make a donation in honor of another person. Information you provide about that person (name and email or address) is used only to send an aknowledgement of your donation to that person. We use return email addresses to answer the email we receive. Such addresses are not used for any other purpose and are not shared with outside parties. We use non-identifying and aggregate information to better design our website and to share with advertisers. For example, we may tell an advertiser that X number of individuals visited a certain area on our website, or that Y number of men and Z number of women filled out our registration form, but we would not disclose anything that could be used to identify those individuals. Finally, we never use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us online in ways unrelated to the ones described above without also providing you an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such unrelated uses. Our Commitment To Data Security To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. Email subscriptions are collected using the security and privacy features of iContact. Donations information is collected using the security features of our online database and donation management partner ROI Solutions. Our Commitment To Children's Privacy Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important. For that reason, we never collect or maintain information at our website from those we actually know are under 13, and no part of our website is structured to attract anyone under 13. How You Can Access Or Correct Your Information You can access all your email subscription information, or unsubscribe from our email list, use the "manage my account" or "unsubscribe" links found at the bottom of every email we send. You can correct factual errors in your personally identifiable information by sending us an emailed or mailed request that credibly shows error. To protect your privacy and security, we will also take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections. Information We Collect Via Mail Athletes Without Limits collects information about athletes who wish to register to be eligible to compete at INAS-FID competitions via a PDF application that you downloaded, print and mail to us. The personal information you provide on the mailed application is not shared beyond Athletes Without Limits board, staff or eligibility committee, however, Athletes Without Limits is required by INAS-FID to submit one paper copy of each athlete's completed application to the INAS-FID Secretariat for review by the INAS-FID International Eligibility Committee. INAS-FID maintains a database of all athlete Eligibility and Theraputic Drug Use applications and has a separate privacy policy from that of Athletes Without Limits. How To Contact Us Should you have other questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please call us at 202-544-0510 or send us an email to info@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Thank you for joining our email list

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:03:15 +0000

Your information has been recorded and your subscription request received — you will receive a confirmation email shortly. You can manage your subscription from every email you receive through this mailing list. Simply click on the "Manage your Subscription" link at the bottom of the message.

Your donation has been submitted.

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:09:26 +0000

You will see "Athletes Without Limit" on your statement; however, it may take up to five days for one-time donations or up to one month for your first monthly pledge to post to your credit card or bank account. If you signed up for our email list, your subscription can be managed from the bottom of any emails you receive from us or by contacting us at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org. Thanks again for your support!

Your donation has been cancelled.

withoutlimits — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:10:58 +0000

Your credit card/account has not been charged. Please call 202-544-0510 or email us at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org with any questions, problems or concerns with our online giving forms. Would you like to try again using PayPal instead? (Note: You do not need to have or create a PayPal account)

Celebrate With Us

withoutlimits — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:25:48 +0000

Help us help athletes with intellectual disability.

Throw a party for your friends, make your sporting event a benefit for Athletes Without Limits or just show up for an one of our events below. Contact us for further information on how you can help aspiring Paralympians!

COUNTDOWN TO LONDON 2012

withoutlimits — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:45:11 +0000

There are US athletes with intellectual disability who give 100% effort in their sport and so are we toward our goal of getting them to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Pardon our dust while we work to make our site as fast as Michael Murray, the first athlete with intellectual disability to make the US Paralympic team in over 12 years. Important information is available using the links below.

About

withoutlimits — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:56:03 +0000

Athletes Without Limits provides athletes with intellectual disability the opportunity to compete at their highest level — from mainstream sport to the US Paralympic Team.

As the sole US member organization of INAS, Athletes Without Limits works with US athletes who would like to participate in INAS, International Paralympic (IPC) and US Paralympic competitions, including administering the eligibility application process. Athletes Without Limits also oversees the selection process, registration and travel arrangements for US teams traveling to INAS competitions. Here in the US, Athletes Without Limits helps athletes identify coaching and training opportunities at the national, regional and local level with a focus on inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into mainstream sporting competitions, coaching and training.

INAS, For para-athletes with intellectual disability

The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Disability, or INAS, is an association of 87 countries that manages eligibility requirements for athletes with an intellectual disability and organizes 10-15 regional and world championship events yearly including the Global Games. INAS is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is worked with the IPC on the re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competitions including the 2012 London Paralympics.

IPC, International Paralympic Committee

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is "the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality."

U.S. Paralympics

U.S. Paralympics is a division of the U.S. Olmypic Committee and the US member of the IPC. U.S. Paralympics oversees Paralympic training, programs and competitions in the United States as well as Team USA selection and travel to IPC competitions abroad —including the Paralympic Games. Currently there are new Paralympic opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability in four sports: Swimming, Track & Field, Table Tennis and Rowing. NOTE: Any athlete with intellectual disability who wishes to compete in Paralympic competition should begin by working with Athletes Without Limits to complete the INAS eligibility application as it is a requirement for any US Paralympic or IPC competition.

2011 Global Games Trip

withoutlimits — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:05:43 +0000

Handbook

Download the latest version of the Global Games Handbook for US Athletes. We will let team members know by email whenever we make updates.

Registration & Deposits

Download Registration Forms A-C NOTE: Athletes still waiting on final eligibility confirmation from INAS do not have to make deposits until confirmed. But please do send other Registration Form A by April 20. Forms may be faxed to 202-544-0510 in lieu of mailing since you will not be sending a check.

by April 20, 2011

• Confirm with us that athlete will meet swim or track qualification times. • Mail Entry Form A, all signed Release Forms, and $500 deposit/traveller. • Apply for US Passport if needed.

by June 1, 2011

• Mail Entry Form B, copies of Passports, and second deposit $500 deposit/traveller. • Email existing Qualification Times for & Track & Field (p12) or Swimming (p16) to info@athleteswithoutlimits.org, note athletes have until June 30 to make the qualification times but please send those events for which you are trying to qualify by June 1 so we can enter you. • If athlete is taking medication banned by World Anti-Doping Assoc., mail Exemption Application to us.  (See athleteswithoutlimits.org under “Medication & Drug Testing”)

by August 1, 2011

• Mail Entry Form C, copies of Emergency Medical Form for each traveller and and $500 deposit/traveller. • Airfare payment TBD (air travel plans will be formed in May).

Deposit Payment Methods

Paying by check is the best way as it saves overhead costs on credit card processing fees — allowing more of our donations to go directly to athlete support. We understand there may be circumstances where credit card payments are necessary for families, however, so have made the online checkout available through a secure Authorize.net account.

Table Tennis

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:29:47 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented table tennis players with intellectual disability to represent the US at upcoming national and international events. As the US member of INAS, Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for US table tennis players to compete at the highest levels in their sport. International competitions are already being organized by INAS and are run according to standard ITTF rules. Just like in Olympic competition, there are no separate categories by ability level—the top competitors win Gold, Silver and Bronze in each event. Qualified athletes may be able to travel to international competitions with the US delegation and there are new opportunities for Paralympic competition now that a class for intellectual disability has been added to Table Tennis for the London 2012 Paralympics and other IPC/ITTF events. Athletes must meet the INAS eligibility requirements and complete the eligibility application to be considered. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested in competing in or aspiring to compete in national and international elite level competition. We look forward to meeting you!

International: INAS Table Tennis

The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS) offers world championship level table tennis events for athletes with intellectual disability. INAS competitors are an elite group of athletes from around the world making great achievements in table tennis. (Watch a video from the 2009 Global Games in the Czech Republic). We look forward to seeing world ranked US players in years to come! Interested US athletes should work with Athletes Without Limits to complete the athlete eligibility process in order to compete in INAS table tennis events. Athletes Without Limits will organize trips to INAS swim events based on athlete interest. Please contact us for more information. Athletes Without Limits will organize a trips to INAS table tennis events based on athlete interest. Interested athletes must work with Athletes Without Limits, the US Member of INAS, to become INAS registered prior to competing in any INAS table tennis event. All INAS table tennis players are held according to the rules of and officiated by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and INAS. As with all INAS competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.

Paralympic/ITTF Table Tennis

Following the November 2009 vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition, table tennis is likely to be one of the inclusive sports. US players with intellectual disability may have the opportunity to qualify to represent the US at the London 2012 Games. More information will be posted as it becomes available, however the IPC has stated that meeting INAS eligibility criteria is the first step toward Paralympic classification.

National: Table Tennis Opportunities in the US

Athletes Without Limits supports the identification and development of US table tennis players with intellectual disability—please contact us if you are interested in learning more about table tennis opportunities in the US. The USA Table Tennis website provides a list of table tennis clubs by area and will include a class for athletes with intellectual disability starting with the 2010 US National Championships in December.

Table Tennis News & Events

Note: For a complete list of US Table Tennis events open to athletes with intellectual disability visit: http://www.usatt.org/disabled/tournaments.shtml

Athletics (Track & Field)

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:31:05 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented athletes with intellectual disability to represent the US at upcoming national and international track & field and cross country events.

As the US member of INAS, Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for US runners to compete at the highest levels in track & field and cross country. International competitions are already being organized by INAS and/or the IPC and are run according to IAAF rules (for example, athletes will not be able to run with a guide or partner). Just like in Olympic competition, there are no separate categories by ability level—the top three runners win Gold, Silver and Bronze in each event. Qualified athletes may be able to travel to international competitions with the US delegation and there are new opportunities for Paralympic competition now that a class for intellectual disability has been added to Track & Field for the London 2012 Paralympics and other IPC events. Athletes must meet the INAS eligibility requirements and complete the eligibility application to be considered. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us for more information. if you know of any athletes who may be interested in competing in or aspiring to compete in national and international elite level competition. We look forward to meeting you!

INAS/IPC Athletics & Cross Country

The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS) offers world championship level track & field and cross country events for athletes with intellectual disability. INAS competitors are an elite group of athletes from around the world making great achievements in Athletics. See the world records and rankings on the INAS website to see just how fast world champion athletes with intellectual disability are. We look forward to seeing US athletes in those rankings in years to come! Interested US athletes should work with Athletes Without Limits to complete the athlete eligibility process in order to compete in INAS events. Athletes Without Limits will organize trips to INAS athletics events based on athlete interest. Please contact us for more information. Rules: All INAS Athletics competitions are held according to the rules of and officiated by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and INAS. As with all INAS competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.

Paralympic Athletics (Track & Field)

Following the November 2009 vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition, IPC Athletics (Track & Field) is one of the inclusive sports. Athletes with intellectual disability who compete at the 2011 IPC World Championships in January 2011 have the opportunity to qualify to represent the US at the London 2012 Games. More information will be posted as it becomes available, however the IPC has stated that meeting INAS eligibility criteria (a process managed by Athletes Without Limits in the US) is the first step toward Paralympic classification.

Opportunities in the US

National: The US Paralympics Track & Field National Championships are now open to athletes with intellectual disability (T20 & F20). Eligibility through Athletes Without Limits as well as qualification times at accepted meets are required. Please contact us for further information. The USA Track & Field website provides a list of running opportunities throughout the US by area. The Achilles Running Clubs located in the US and throughout the world welcomes athletes with intellectual disability to participate in their national network of running clubs and events. New York Area: The Rolling Thunder Special Needs running program offers athletes with any disability (physical and/or intellectual) the opportunity for to train and compete, including at mainstream USA Track & Field national level events.

Athletics News & Events

For a complete list of IPC & US Paralympic Track & Field Events, which are now open to athletes with intellectual disability (Class S14, SB14, SM14), visit: www.usparalympics.org. (Note that event materials may not yet be updated to provide details for the new class for athletes with intellectual disability.)

Other Sports

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:33:33 +0000

In addition to our five focus sports, as the US member of INAS, Athletes Without Limits will identify/organize US Teams based on athlete interest in six other sports:

Basketball (FIBA Rules)
Futsal/Indoor Soccer (FIFA Futsal Rules)
Soccer (FIFA Rules)
Tennis (ITF Rules)
Skiing Alpine/Downhill (FIS Rules)
Skiing Cross Country (FIS Rules)

Other Sports News & Events

INAS-FID Cycling Rules

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:41:29 +0000

The INAS FID Cycling Championships will be governed by the rules of the UCI with the approved variations by INAS-FID. Number of Participants Each event will be allocated a fixed number of entries that would be restricted to a maximum of five entries per event. Additional "Wild Card Entries" will be at the discretion of the organisers in consultation with the Technical Officer, to ensure the host nation was represented and to encourage emerging nations to participate in the championships. Timetable Road Races: Short distance 30 Kms Long distance 60 Kms Time Trials: Single short distance 3 Kms Single long distance 10 Kms Team 10 Kms Event Tour: Single Team Championships to run over 6 days maximum, (4 competition days). Extra days may be added prior to opening ceremony and following the final events to allow for travel arrangements/acclimatisation. Facilities Roads and cycling areas should be U.C.I standard and approved by the host country’s National Governing Body of Cycling, and be floodlit with a surround that provides for team and spectators. Training facilities should be provided and wherever possible located close to the accommodation venues. Training facilities should be available prior to and during the championships. Officials International Technical Officials (ITOs) should be appointed in conjunction with U.C.I. and INAS FID. The Referees, judges, timekeepers and other key officials should be U.C.I. qualified. However additional officials should hold a National Governing Body qualification as a minimum. Delegations Each competing Nation may in addition to the athletes bring, 1 Team Manager, 1 Head Coach, 1 medic/physio, 1 mechanic and support staff at a ratio of 1:5 competitors. Sport rules The rules of Cycling pertaining to competition, rankings and records will be those of the UCI.

INAS Swimming Rules

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:46:18 +0000

The following information is excerpted from the INAS-FID Handbook: The INAS FID Swimming Championships will be governed by the rules of F.I.N.A. with the approved variations by INAS FID. The difficulty faced by any potential organiser for the championships is the total number of competing swimmers. This governs the programme in terms of time (days), and number of events, requiring heats and finals. INAS FID Technical Committee offers a format that it hopes will be accepted as a pragmatic solution to the problem, by giving potential organisers a maximum number of swimmers in each event. Rather than setting minimum standards for entry, which still does not give organisers a clear total number, it is recommended that entry is governed by the World Rankings published four months prior to the starting date of the Championships. World Rankings would record only performances achieved within the previous year at recognised events such as National Championships, INAS FID and IPC World and Regional Championships, and other open events held under F.I.N.A rules. Each event will be allocated a fixed number of entries, and swimmers who hold the equivalent world ranking will be invited to compete. Any place allocated to a swimmer who does not take up the invitation, would then be offered to the next person in the rankings. Each member organisation would be restricted to a maximum of three entries per event. (ex: 3 swimmers in male 50-back) INAS FID and the organisers would also hold a percentage of places open as ”Wild Card Entries” to ensure the host nation was represented and to encourage emerging nations to participate in the championships. This method encourages nations to hold their own National Championships, and send swimmers to other approved competitions, and ensure the results of their swimmers are recorded on the INAS FID and IPC Rankings database. Programme of Events based on a Long Course (50m pool) Championships Top 16 in each event to be invited based on World Rankings in both Men’s and Women’s Programme, unless other figure stated in brackets (-) after event. Freestyle:

50 metres
100 metres
200 metres
400 metres (8)

Backstroke:

50 metres
100 metres
200 metres
800 metres (8)

Breaststroke:

50 metres
100 metres
200 metres
1500 metres (8)

Butterfly:

50 metres
100 metres
200 metres

Individual Medley:

200 metres
400 metres (8)

Relays:

4 x 50 metres Freestyle
4 x 50 metres Medley
4 x 100 metres Freestyle
4 x 100 metres Medley

Programme of Events based on a Short Course (25metres pool) Championships Top 16 in each event to be invited based on World Rankings in both Men’s and Women’s Programme. Freestyle

50 metres
100 metres
200 metres
400 metres

Backstroke

50 metres
100 metres
Individual Medley
100 metres

Breaststroke

50 metres
100 metres

Butterfly

50 metres
100 metres

Relays

4 x 50 metre Freestyle
4 x 50 metre Medley

Championships Timetable Championships to run over 7 days maximum, (5 competition days). Additional days may be added prior to opening ceremony and following the final events to allow for travel arrangements/acclimatisation. Facilities The Pool must be 50 metres, respectively 25 metres, and have appropriate warm up areas. It must be approved by F.I.N.A and by the host Nation’s Governing Body of Swimming, and have seated spectator facility. In addition training facilities convenient to the accommodation and Championships venue, should be made available to all teams. Officials International Technical Officials (ITOs) should be appointed in conjunction with F.I.N.A and INAS FID. Referees, judges, timekeepers and other key officials must be F.I.N.A qualified. However additional officials should hold a National Governing Body qualification as a minimum. Delegations Each competing Nation may in addition to the swimmers bring, 1 Team Manager, 1 Head Coach, 1 medic/ physio and support staff at a ratio of 1:5 swimmers. Sport rules The rules of swimming pertaining to competition, rankings and records will be those of the FINA.

INAS Athletics Rules

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:48:27 +0000

The following information is excerpted from the INAS-FID Handbook: The INAS FID Athletics Championships will be governed by the rules of IAAF with approved variations by INAS-FID.

Outdoor Track & Field (Athletics)

Maximum entries based on World Rankings: Event /Maximum entries male/maximum entries female 200m/32 /32 400m/24/ 24 800m /24/24 1500m/20 /20 3000m/16/16 5000m/16 /16 10000m/16/16 100m Hurdles /16 110m Hurdles/16 3000m Walk /16 5000m Walk /16 4x100m/12 teams / 12 teams 4x400m/12 teams/12 teams Long Jump 24/ 24 High Jump 16/ 16 Triple Jump 16 / 16 Shot Put 16/16 Discus 16 /16 Javelin 16/16 Hammer 16/16 Team Competition According the INAS FID guidelines and in order to encourage nations to participate, the INAS FID World Championships will have both, individual and team competition per sex (male and female). In the Team Competition each competing nation only is classified one (1) athlete per event (the best classified in the individual competition). Only nations with a minimum of 3 participants athletes per sex are eligible to participate in the Team Competition of this sex (male or female). The classification system for Team Competition is: n points for 1st classified; n-1 points for 2nd classified; n-2 points for 3rd classified, and so on for other places, where (n) is the number of nations eligible for participation in the Team Competition per sex. Example: Male Competition, 12 participating countries 1st 12 points 2nd 11 points 3rd 10 points ... 12th 1 point

Indoor Competition

60 metres 3.000 metres Men only Triple Jump 200 metres 60 m Hurdles (0.914) Men only Shot Put 400 metres 60 m Hurdles (0.84 ) Women only 4 x 200 metres 800 metres Long Jump 4 x 400 metres 1.500 metres High Jump 1.500 metres Walk Race

Cross-country

5.000 metres Men (no limit) 3.000 metres Women (no limit) Championships Timetable Championships may be of 7 days maximum duration (5 competition days). Extra days may be added prior to opening ceremony and following the final events to allow for travel arrangements/acclimatisation Facilities Track and field events areas should be I.A.A.F. standard and approved by the host country’s National Governing Body of Athletics. They should be floodlit with a surround that provides for team and spectator seating. In addition training facilities should be provided and wherever possible located close to the accommodation venues. Training facilities should be available prior to and during the championships. Officials International Technical Officials (ITOs) should be appointed in conjunction with I.A.A.F and INAS-FID. The referees, judges, timekeepers and other key officials should be I.A.A.F qualified. However additional officials should hold a National Governing Body qualification as a minimum. Delegations Each competing nation may in addition to the athletes bring, 1 Team Manager, 1 Head Coach, 1 medic/physio and support staff at a ratio of 1:5 athletes. Sport rules The rules of Athletics pertaining to competition, rankings and records will be those of the IAAF.

People

withoutlimits — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:41:45 +0000

Leadership (Volunteer Staff)

BARRY HOLMAN, President & Head Coach Barry manages relationships with the international and US governing bodies, is Head Coach to the US delegation at INAS competitions, and provides overall leadership to the organization. JULIE HOLMAN, Managing Director, Eligibility Chair Julie assists athletes and families with the eligibility process and provides nonprofit governance and administrative leadership to the organization. She also plans trips to INAS events and serves as US Team Manager at competitions. MELANI HOM, Fundraising  & Social Networking Melani helps plan, establish and maximize revenue streams to keep the athletes and the organization supported, including planning special events. JENNIFER TETRICK, Public Relations & Social Media Jen helps get the stories of our amazing athlete's accomplishments into the media and hearts and minds of America. She also launched the Athletes Without Limits Facebook & Twitter pages. COLIN SHAH, Training & Nutrition Colin provides expertise on health and fitness as well as year-round strength and conditioning programs and helps with sport-specific coaching recruitment and training.

National Eligibility Officers

PAMELA MEEK Ph.D., National Eligibility Officer Dr Meek has worked as a child psychologist for over 30 years providing therapy, consultation and psychological evaluations for children, families and schools. She reviews athlete applications providing evidence of intellectual disability to determine eligibility for INAS and Paralympic competition. BRADY HAYCOCK PsyD., National Eligibility Officer Brady is a licensed psychologist who currently works with students at See Forever Foundation's Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools in Washington D.C. She reviews athlete applications providing evidence of intellectual disability to determine eligibility for INAS and Paralympic competition.

Board of Directors

SARAH GORDON, Board Secretary Sarah is the Director of Communications for Wall Street Without Walls, a for-profit organization that connects capital market institutions and financial products with organizations engaged in community economic development. Sarah previously worked with a Non-profit, the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults were she founded a national endurance training program to unite young adults and inspire hope in young people battling cancer. She is also the founder of Run for the Rare, a 5k race in Chicago, IL to support young people fighting cancer. Sarah is a 7 year cancer survivor and has been nationally recognized by several media outlets as a national cancer survivorship advocate. She was recognized in 2005 by ABC Baltimore Channel 2 “Lessons Learned” segment. In 2006 she received a leadership scholarship from the Center for Creative Leadership in Brussels, Belgium. Sarah graduated from Miami of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She also studied in Nairobi, Kenya and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School. She has resided and worked in Beijing, China and Paris, France. BARRY HOLMAN, Board President Bio coming shortly. JULIE HOLMAN, Board Treasurer Bio coming shortly. RONNE IRVINE, At-Large Bio coming shortly. DIAA NOUR, At-Large Diaa Nour is President of Tot Solutions, a DC-based company of 80 employees that specializes in contact-center services, hosting solutions, and remote reception capabilities. He has significant experience leading IT projects in both the public and private sectors – particularly in Africa and the Middle East, including Gabon, South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Egypt. Most recently he helped negotiate a grant for the government of Burkina Faso to install fiber links between all the Ministries. Currently, he is the Chief Project Manager for the Sofisat telephony project in Egypt – the largest public/private partnership in the history of the country. Nour graduated from the College of William and Mary with a dual B.A. in International Economics and International Relations. Raised in Cairo, Egypt and Lausanne, Switzerland, Diaa is fluent in English, French, and Arabic and currently resides in Washington, D.C. where he plays an active role in the local business, political, and sporting communities and is an avid runner.

Athlete Ambassadors

SYD LEA, Athlete Ambassador As the the founding athlete of Athletes Without Limits, Syd is our first Athlete Ambassador and was captain of the 2009 Global Games Delegation. Read Syd's athlete bio for more information about his athletic achievements.

Mission

withoutlimits — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:26:21 +0000

Athletes Without Limits provides athletes with intellectual disability the opportunity to compete at their highest level — from mainstream sport to the US Paralympic Team.

INAS, For para-athletes with intellectual disability

The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Disability or INAS is an association of 87 countries that manages eligibility requirements for athletes with an intellectual disability and organizes 10-15 regional and world championship events yearly including the Global Games. INAS-FID is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is worked with the IPC on the re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competitions including the 2012 London Paralympics.

IPC, International Paralympic Committee

U.S. Paralympics

withoutlimits — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:26:16 +0000

There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. -Nelson Mandela

Volunteer

withoutlimits — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:53:17 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is run by an all-volunteer staff. If you are interested in supporting the athletes through volunteer work we'd love to hear from you.

Athletes & Eligibility

withoutlimits — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 11:11:58 +0000

Want to Compete?

There are new opportunities for all athletes with intellectual disability to compete in mainstream and open sport. However, in order to compete in events organized by INAS and Paralympics, athletes must complete an eligibility application to provide proof of intellectual disability based on three main criteria:

1) IQ of 75 or below 2) Significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior, and 3) Onset before age 18.

This application is also the first step toward classification for future Paralympic events now that athletes with intellectual disability are being re-included in Paralympic competition. Learn more about the first steps for US athletes who would like to apply.

Meet US Athletes Without Limits

Read about outstanding athletes who are forging a new path for athletic excellence for US athletes with intellectual disability by competing in mainstream and open competition at a high level. To read about some of the international stars visit INAS athlete profiles. (Click on the Athlete's name for a full bio)

News & Press

withoutlimits — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 21:30:23 +0000

Below you’ll find all the latest news, announcements and press releases for Athletes Without Limits. If you are a member of the media and have questions or would like to request photos, please contact Jennifer Tetrick at jennifer@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Events

withoutlimits — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:50:11 +0000

Filter Event List

Our Trips
Paralympic/National Team Events
Other Events
Events by Sport
- Athletics
- Cycling
- Rowing
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Other Sports

All Events

Our Trips

withoutlimits — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:51:09 +0000

Athletes Without Limits is organizing group trips to the events below. Any athlete who would like to compete with us on group trips must first complete the athlete eligibility application, which can take several months to organize so please contact us right away if you are interested in competing.

Compete With Us

withoutlimits — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:03:26 +0000

We're looking for talented athletes with intellectual disability to represent the United States in open competition in the US and abroad.

As the US member of International Federation for Sport for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS), Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for athletes to compete in INAS, Paralympic and other events in the United States and abroad. We're looking for athletes who are excel in their chosen sports (possibly in Special Olympics or on school or community teams), and who seek further opportunity to compete against the top athletes with intellectual disability in the world as well as in mainstream (non-disabled) sporting events. For 2011 we are focusing our US recruiting efforts on cycling and the four sports in which athletes with intellectual disability may be included at the 2012 Paralympics: rowing, swimming, table tennis and track & field. However, opportunities also exist in other sports and we will organize trips and teams based on athlete interest. Athletes must meet IQ and other eligibility requirements. If you know of athletes who may be interested, please call our office at 202-544-0510 or email info@athleteswithoutlimits.org. We look forward to meeting you!

Paralympic/National Team Events

withoutlimits — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:58:47 +0000

Who's Eligible?

Any athlete who hopes to compete in Paralympic competition must first complete the athlete eligibility application with us as the first step towards Paralympic eligibility in any sport. Please contact us for details.

Sports

Athletes Without Limits does not necessarily organize team trips to Paralympic competitions, however we do handle the first stage of eligibility for any athlete who wants to compete in the newly added classes for intellectual disability. The following sports already have opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability including the London 2012 Paralympics (or Rio 2016 Paralympics in the case of Rowing.)

SWIMMING (US Paralympic Swimming) For a complete list of US Paralympic Swimming Events, which are now open to athletes with intellectual disability (Class S14, SB14, SM14) visit www.usparalympics.org. (Note that event materials may not have been updated to provide details for the new class for athletes with intellectual disability.)
TRACK & FIELD (US Paralympic Track & Field) For a complete list of IPC & US Paralympic Track & Field Events, which are now open to athletes with intellectual disability (Class S14, SB14, SM14), visit: www.usparalympics.org. (Note that event materials may not have been updated to provide details for the new class for athletes with intellectual disability.)
ROWING (US Rowing) For a complete list of USRowing, which may offer opportunities for the newly recognized "ID" class visit: www.usrowing.org.
TABLE TENNIS (USA Table Tennis) For a complete list of USA Table Tennis events which may offer opportunities for the newly recognized class for intellectual disability visit www.usatt.org/disabled

Highlighted Paralympic/National Team Events

NOTE: The event list below is meant to showcase upcoming opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability. However, we recommend visiting the event lists of the organizations above for your sport for a more complete list of events.

Athlete Bios

withoutlimits — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:13:57 +0000

Meet US Athletes Without Limits

Other Open Events

withoutlimits — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:15:29 +0000

The following events are open competitions (vs. banded Special Olympic competition) with categories for athletes with intellectual disability or are non-disabled events we’d like to encourage athletes to compete in. Athletes Without Limits may be involved in the eligibility process where noted. While they are not on our official trip calendar, we will organize trips to these events with enough athlete interest so let us know if you would like to compete by contacting us.

oops...

withoutlimits — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:31:02 +0000

The Athletes Without Limits website is at:

www.athleteswithoutlimits.org

Posts

withoutlimits — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:09:58 +0000

US Brings Home Medals and High Rankings at Global Games

withoutlimits — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:00:38 +0000

[caption id="attachment_305" align="alignright" width="380" caption="The first US team to compete in an INAS world-championship event huddles at JFK airport for a team picture."][/caption] July 22, 2009 Three US athletes with intellectual disability were selected to represent the US in the Global Games held in Liberec, Czech Republic July 5 – 14. Nearly 1,000 elite athletes from 40 countries competed for gold, silver and bronze in seven sports. This was the first time a team from the US participated in a world championship for athletes with intellectual disability. Cyclist Syd Lea of Taneytown, MD competed in a five-day stage race that included three time trials and two road races earning three silver and two bronze medals, as well as finishing second in the overall general classification to world champion Leandro Santos from Portugal. [caption id="attachment_92" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Syd Lea, pictured with the gold and bronze medalists, won 5 medals including the silver for his 2nd place overall standing in the 5-day cycling competition."][/caption] Lea had especially impressive results in both road races. In the 30km race he stormed past a rival Czech cyclist, who finished third overall in the competition, in the last 300 meters before the finish line to claim the silver medal. In the 60km road race Lea road a tactically perfect race staying in small group until the final 5km when he made a strong move to drop them and stay away through the finish to wrap up both silver on the day and second in the overall. “I raced really hard and for one time trial was really sick and tired from jet lag. I did what my coach told me on the short road race and rode it like a cyclocross race, as hard as I could go for the whole race. I wanted to win medals and did. Next year I want to beat Leandro and be world champion,” said Lea. [caption id="attachment_308" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Swimmers Maria D'Andrea and Gail Morning get ready to represent the US at the Global Games."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_664" align="alignright" width="181" caption="Karen Fisher, US Global Games Swim Coach, prepared the athletes for the challenging transition from competing in 25 yard pools to the 50-meter, Olympic-size pool in Liberec."][/caption] Swimmers Maria D'Andrea and Gail Morning competed in the four-day world championship meet that was dominated by the Australian, South Africans and British swim teams. D’Andrea scored impressive top ten finishes in the 800 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle and both swimmers had personal bests in the majority of the 10+events in which they competed over four days. To compete in the championships the US swimmers had to meet difficult qualification times as well as adjust their swimming from a 25-yard to a 50-meter pool. Swim coach Karen Fisher said, “This was an excellent experience for the girls. They’ve seen what elite level international competition looks like and had their first ever races in a 50-meter pool. They dealt with the pressure of competing against the best in the world very well. To turn in so many personal best times as well as two top ten finishes shows the potential we have to build a swimming program that can challenge for medals.” [caption id="attachment_666" align="alignright" width="181" caption="Richard Murby accompanied the team as both assistant cycling coach and filmographer."][/caption] The trip was organized by Athletes Without Limits, the USA Federation of Elite Athletes with Intellectual Disability. “We formed Athletes Without Limits to develop and support elite athletes with intellectual disability. Bringing a small team to the Global Games was a good first step and the athletes and coaches performed well despite a very short time frame for preparation and no national level support.” said founder Barry Holman. “We look forward to building our program to provide the same level of support and opportunities that Paralympians and Olympians receive so that athletes with intellectual disability can develop to their full potential and bring home medals and world championships.” The results of all the competitions including video, photos have been posted at www.globalgames09.com while a list of news coverage is being posted on the Athletes Without Limits website.

IPC to Vote on Re-inclusion into Paralympics

withoutlimits — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:06:41 +0000

Your support is needed to make sure the US votes "yes" to re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into the Paralympics, including the London 2012 Games.

On November 21st in Kuala Lumpur, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will vote on the re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability in future Paralympic games, starting with London 2012. While many international members of the IPC have pledged to vote "yes," the US Paralympic Committee has not demonstrated support for re-inclusion. Please join us in petitioning our US representatives for this important vote. We need your signature on a letter we are sending to the US Paralympic Committee urging them to vote "yes" for re-inclusion. [Note the sign up period has passed. Please consider joining our email list for updates on this and other issues.] In the nine years that have passed since the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney Australia, an entire generation of athletes has been shut out (read more in our blog post "Nine Years of Unfair Exclusion"). While we can’t bring back the lost opportunities for those young people, we can ensure a different future. In preparation for the IPC General Assembly vote, we must all remind our representatives that athletes with intellectual disability have a right to participate and must not be forgotten. As Ambassador Rice stated at the US signing on the UN Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities, the United States “reject[s] discrimination in all its forms, and call[s] for the full participation and inclusion in society of all persons with disabilities.” This is a critical vote to end the nine years of Paralympic exclusion and the beginning of a new era of Paralympic opportunity for the elite athletes with intellectual disability. As the world's leader in disability rights, the Unites States must lead the way by voting for re-inclusion and ensure that the voices of athletes with intellectual disability are heard.

Read the Motion

Below is the motion, submitted jointly by the IPC Governing Board and INAS-FID, that IPC member countries will vote on in November 21-22, 2009 at the IPC General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur: The IPC General Assembly (i) acknowledges the progress made by the joint IPC/INAS-FID Working Group in defining and assessing general eligibility, sport specificity and on-site testing and protest management; (ii) notes that the system currently developed uses a scientific approach that is compliant with the IPC Classification Code; and (iii) notes that effective sports input has been ensured. Thereby, the IPC General Assembly confirms that the criteria and processes for the re- inclusion of athletes with an intellectual disability (ID) in Paralympic sport as specified by previous IPC General Assemblies have been met. Therefore, subject to compliance with the sports specific minimal disability scores outlined in the attached rationale, the IPC General Assembly recognises that athletes with intellectual disability will be eligible to compete in the respective International Federation sanctioned competitions, including the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Nine Years of Exclusion

withoutlimits — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:00:54 +0000

As the world's leader in disability rights, the US must be compelled to vote “yes” for re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into the Paralympics at the November 21, 2009 IPC General Assembly. This post provides additional background information for: IPC to Vote on Re-inclusion into Paralympics: Your support is needed... INAS-FID, the international federation for sport for persons with an intellectual disability, was a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 1989. Athletes with intellectual disability competed in regional championships, world championships and Olympic championships in numerous sports under the governance of the IPC. However, athletes with intellectual disability have not competed in the Paralypmics or other IPC events since Sydney 2000 when it was discovered competitors on the gold medal Spanish basketball team did not meet the eligibility requirements for intellectual disability including one member who was a reporter feigning intellectual disability. The punishment for this cheating went well beyond the individuals involved — it was meted out to the entire class. Contrast the punishment of all athletes with intellectual disability to that of non-disabled athletes who have cheated. When Olympic Gold Medalist Ben Johnson, the Jamaican sprinter representing Canada, tested positive for drugs, he was stripped of his medal and new rules, regulations and procedures governing drug testing followed. The punishment to Johnson was requisite with the offense and the systemic measures taken by the governing bodies of sport to attempt to better deal with the the scurge of drugs in sport were applied to all athletes. Shortly after the Sydney Paralympics, the Spanish team was rightly stripped of their medals. But instead of stopping there and focusing on improving athlete testing and certification as had been done concerning banned substances, the IPC excluded all athletes with intellectual disability — the whole class— from competing in any sport in any Paralympic sanctioned event. In no other instance in sporting history has a class of individuals been expelled from the playing field because of their attributes. Imagine the uproar and civil unrest had all Canadians, Jamaicans, sprinters, men or blacks been banned from Olympic competition because Ben Johnson, a Jamaican born black man living in Canada, had cheated. The idea is simply preposterous. Yet somehow this illogical injustice was levied against people with IQs of less than 75 who had not even broken any rules. A generation of athletes has paid the price for the acts of a few and those opportunities can't be returned to them. The US, as the world's leader in disability rights, must be compelled to vote “Yes” for re-inclusion at the November 21, 2009 IPC General Assembly, and compelled to afford the same support to those athletes with intellectual disability as are afforded to those with physical disability. Timeline of Events:

1989: International Federation for Sport for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and a classification is set up for athletes with intellectual disability to compete in Paralympic programs and competitions.
1994: Athletes with intellectual disability compete in IPC World Championship events.
1996: Athletes with intellectual disability compete in Atlanta Paralympics.
2000: Athletes with intellectual disability compete in Sydney Paralympics.
2000: Spanish basketball team wins gold medal in the intellectually disabled classification at Sydney Paralympics, and it is discovered that most members of the team, including a reporter, were not intellectually disabled.
2001: INAS-FID is suspended as an IPC member and athletes with intellectual disability are banned from IPC competitions and Paralympic Games.
2004: Following changes and improved organization, INAS-FID is reinstated as a member of the IPC. Global Games are established as an alternative Olympic-style event for athletes with intellectual disability, and serve as a testing ground for improved eligibility processes required for Paralympic reinstatement.
2007: After reviewing a progress report, IPC releases a position statement (download the full statement) saying "the general eligibility system as developed by INAS-FID does not achieve the standard expected for IPC sanctioned competitions.... Consequently, the IPC decided these athletes shall not take part in IPC sanctioned events, including the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games."A work group composed of representatives of both IPC and INAS-FID is set up to define specific rules for participation of athletes with intellectual disabilities and to create a better eligibility system. Together they begin close review all previous and new INAS-FID athlete eligibility paperwork as well as important scientific research on how intellectual disability affects participation in sport.
April 2009: Athletes Without Limits, the USA Federation for Elite Athletes with Intellectual Disability,  becomes the US member of INAS-FID (there was no US member previously).
September 2009: Both parties favor allowing intellectual disabilities to compete at the XIV Summer Paralympics in London 2012 (read the joint statement on the IPC website) but there are still some countries, including the US Paralympic Committee, who are leaning towards voting no to inclusion.
October 2009: Motion is submitted for re-inclusion which will be voted on by IPC members, including the US Paralympic Committee, at the General Assembly November 19-22, 2009.

Show your support for a "yes" vote by signing up here.

[Sign up period has ended.]

BBC Coverage of Reinclusion into Paralympics

withoutlimits — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:14:27 +0000

BBC Sport has provided news coverage of the re-inclusion (2009) of athletes with intellectual disability in Paralympic competition. Athletes with intellectual disability participated in the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney games but were banned from competition when members of Spain's basketball team were found to have no disability.

November 21, 2009: Intellectual disability ban ends

Athletes with intellectual disabilities can once again take part in the Paralympics after an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) vote. They had been banned since it was found that most of Spain's intellectual disability basketball team at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics were not disabled. As a result, "sports intelligence" tests will form part of the new, more rigorous classification process. ParalympicsGB said it "welcomed" the decision taken on Saturday....

November 20, 2009: Paralympics ponder key rule change

This is going to be an anxious weekend for Ben Procter and his grandparents. Although Ben - who is 19 and from Newquay in Cornwall - has a serious learning disability, he's been swimming to a very high standard since he was five. He would have had every chance of making the GB team for the Beijing Paralympics last year. Instead he had to watch it on television for what to him must have seemed very puzzling reasons. Athletes with learning disabilities have been banned since 2000. Their reinstatement hangs in the balance, with a decision due on Saturday at the congress of the International Paralympic Committee in Kuala Lumpur....

October 23, 2009: Athletes aim for 2012 inclusion

(This is full article as link to original is no longer available.) Intellectual disability athletes will find out next month if they can compete at the London 2012 Paralympics. They have been banned since it was found that most of Spain’s intellectual disability basketball team at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics were not disabled. The International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (Inas-Fid) has been working with the International Paralympic Committee. They have jointly proposed a motion to next month’s IPC General Assembly. The motion calls on the assembly to acknowledge the progress that has been made by the joint IPC/Inas-Fid working group and that the criteria for the reintroduction of athletes with an intellectual disability to Paralympic Games has been met. It also requests that athletes are eligible to compete in their respective International Federation-sanctioned competition, including London 2012. The General Assembly takes place in Kuala Lumpar from 19-22 November. “Having the IPC Governing Board so positively associated with this motion will send a very powerful signal to the entire IPC membership,” said Inas-Fid president Dr Bob Price. “However, nothing is guaranteed and we must not be complacent.” Intellectual disability athletes were barred from competing at both the Athens and Beijing Games but a team of seven swimmers are part of the GB team at the IPC European Swimming Championships in Iceland which draw to a close on Saturday – the first IPC event at which British intellectual disability athletes have been allowed to compete. (end)

September 13 , 2008: Paralympics set to alter entry policy

Athletes with intellectual disabilities could be able to compete at the 2012 Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced. The decision still needs to be ratified at an IPC assembly in November 2009. The IPC suspended intellectually disabled categories after Sydney 2000 when 10 members of Spain's basketball team did not have any disabilities. The IPC said it will reinstate the class but will closely monitor which athletes qualify for events. The IPC highlighted three main areas of concern; eligibility, sport specificity and on site protests and appeals....

July 6, 2009: Stuart seeks Global Games glory

Scottish athlete Allan Stuart knows a good performance at this week's Global Games could help him take a big step towards the London 2012 Paralympics. The event, for athletes with an intellectual disability, starts on Tuesday in the Czech Republic. Those athletes are currently barred from taking part in Paralympic Games."It has been a frustrating situation and the Global Games are important for us to show that we deserve to be at a Paralympics," Stuart told BBC Sport....

June 26, 2006: Paralympic row remains unresolved

Athletes with intellectual disabilities will continue to be excluded from major events sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee. The IPC's governing board announced the decision in Lausanne on Tuesday after several months of deliberation. It accepted research findings which concluded that a fool-proof eligibility system has yet to be developed. The ruling means athletes with an intellectual disability cannot compete in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The research also concluded that the general eligibility system developed by the International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) did not achieve the standard expected for IPC competitions. The row over intellectual disability erupted at the Sydney Paralympics when it was found that most of the members of the victorious Spanish basketball team were not disabled....

November 25, 2004: IPC to continue eligibility talks

The International Paralympic Committee has voted not to permanently suspend learning disability athletes from competing at the Paralympics. The IPC had threatened the athletes with complete expulsion following an ongoing dispute over eligibility. But they will now continue with discussions to try to find an acceptable solution to the problem. The dispute centres around the IPC's demand for more robust criteria to measure whether an athlete has a learning disability. The row over learning disability athletes erupted at the Sydney Paralympics when it was found that most of the members of the victorious Spanish basketball team were found not to be disabled....

September 24, 2004: Swimmer gives up Paralympic dream

For Paralympic silver medallist Francis Dart, the success of Team GB's swimmers in Athens is tinged with bitterness. The world and UK record-holder has been forced to watch this week's events from his home in Reading, Berkshire. His dreams of further Paralympic success were scuppered when athletes with learning disabilities were dropped from the Games. Disgusted at his treatment, the 25-year-old has now vowed to stop competing at international level....

December 14, 2000: Spain ordered to return golds

Spain's Paralympic basketball team have been ordered to return their gold medals after nearly all of their players were found to have no disability. The Spanish Paralympic Committee said the medals would be handed back after an inquiry found that 10 of the 12-strong squad suffered no handicap. The scandal has already led to the resignation of Fernando Martin Vicente, vice-president of the committee and president of the Spanish Federation for Mentally Handicapped Sports. Last month, Carlos Ribagorda, a member of the team, said he and nine colleagues were not subjected to any medical or psychological tests to check their eligibility....

Cyclocross Race to Benefit Athletes Without Limits

withoutlimits — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:18:48 +0000

[caption id="attachment_91" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Athlete Without Limit, Syd Lea, is looking to place in the top 3 for the Men's Cat 4 (Non-disabled) MABRA Cyclocross Series."][/caption] Get muddy, bring the kids and work off that turkey!

Looking for a way to get muddy, have fun and support Athletes Without Limits? Sign up for the 2009 MABRA Cyclocross Championships held in Taneytown, MD on November 29, 2009 and bring the kids for the kids bike race at 1pm. It's the perfect way to work off your Thanksgiving meal and meet our very own Syd Lea!

How to Register & Donate

Sign up to race cross at BikeReg.com and make a donation of $20.12 on the registration form to help Athletes Without Limits support talented athletes with intellectual disability as they strive for glory at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

USA Wins First Medal at Global Games

withoutlimits — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:25:02 +0000

[caption id="attachment_640" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Syd Lea shares the first US medal of the game with teams Maria D'Andrea and Gail Morning."][/caption] Cyclist Syd Lea Wins Bronze in Individual Time Trial; Swimmer Maria D'Andrea Ranks 8th in the World in Distance Event JULY 8, 2009, LIBEREC — Team USA cyclist Charles "Syd" Lea took third place in the Men's 5km Individual Time Trail held in Cesky Dub, Czech Republic on July 7. The event was held on day one of a five-day competition as part of the Global Games world championships. Lea received his bronze—the first medal ever won by a US athlete at Global Games—at a ceremony held at the Athletes Village in the afternoon. The gold medal for the event went to Portugal while the silver went to Australia. Official Global Games Video: Cycling Time Trial Official Global Games Photos: Cycling Awards | Cycling Time Trial Also on day one of competition, Team USA swimmer Maria D'Andrea won the 2nd heat of the Women's 800m Freestyle, placing 8th overall. This result would have qualified her for the final, however, event organizers opted to finish according to heat time in lieu of a final for the long distance events. D'Andrea and teammate Gail Morning will swim 2-3 events per day over the four-day world championships and are the first swimmers from the US ever to compete at the Global Games. Official Global Games Photos: Swimming Following the swimming competition, D'Andrea and Morning will also participate in a demonstration indoor rowing competition by competing in the individual 1,000m time trial. Rowing is a new sport for INAS-FID. The first INAS-FID World Indoor Rowing Championships for athletes with intellectual disability will be held December 2009 in Hong Kong.

Athletes Without Limits' Syd Lea Earns Silver at USA Track & Field Disability 5k Cross Country Meet

withoutlimits — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:38:25 +0000

[caption id="attachment_426" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Some of the top 5k runners show off their national championship medals."][/caption] USA Track & Field and Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program (www.rtsnp.org) hosted a National 5km Cross Country Disability Championships on October 4, 2009 in Kings Park, New York. There were categories for athletes with different types of physical and intellectual disabilities. Athletes Without Limits staff attended the race in order to meet athletes interested in learning more about upcoming INAS-FID international competitions for runners with intellectual disability including. Athletes Without Limits Team USA cyclist, Syd Lea (pictured center with other medalists) participated in the event and placed 2nd in the category for intellectual disability. Names and times of other runners will be posted as soon as results are available. Athletes interested in learning more about the race for next years event can visit the USA Track & Field Website for more information. The 5km race is held in the beautiful waterfront Kings Park on Long Island and is extremely family friendly for spectators with an awards banquet sponsored by CSEA following the race.

First US Team to Compete at Global Games in Czech Republic July 5-14

withoutlimits — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:55:53 +0000

[caption id="attachment_84" align="alignright" width="346" caption="Athletes Gail Morning, Syd Lea, and Maria D'Andrea (pictured front) wil be the first to represent the US at the Global Games."][/caption] JUNE 29, 2009 – Athletes Without Limits, the USA Federation for Elite Athletes with Intellectual Disability, announces the first ever US team for the INAS-FID Global Games, Liberec, Czech Republic July 5-14, 2009. At the Games, nearly 1,500 elite athletes with intellectual disability from 40 countries will compete for world championships in nine sports. Like the Olympics, each Global Games sport is officiated by and run according to the rules of the sport’s international governing body, including drug testing. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 overall finishers in each event, as there are no special divisions. Final winning times might surprise those unfamiliar with the high-level of competition at INAS-FID events. “Picture an athlete who runs a 2:33 marathon,” said Barry Holman (Washington, DC) head coach of the US Team and co-founder of Athletes Without Limits. “Most would not imagine that athlete having an intellectual disability, but that is the current INAS-FID world marathon record held by Paulo Pinheiro of Portugal. With the startup of Athletes Without Limits, we are committed to helping US athletes achieve similar accomplishments in their chosen sports — our trip to this summer’s Global Games is just the beginning.” Representing the US will be cyclist, Syd Lea (Taneytown, MD), a silver and bronze medalist at the 2008 INAS-FID World Cycling Championships who is looking to add a gold medal to that count. Lea, 24, will compete against other elite male cyclists from around the world in a 5-day stage race. Events include time trials and road races of varying distances culminating in a grueling, 3+ hour, 60km road race around the mountains of Cesky Dub. Lea, 24, is a category 4/5 track and road cyclist racing against non-disabled cyclists in local and national US Cycling Federation events. A graduate of Francis Scott Key High School, Lea is currently employed as a groundskeeper at Mount St. Mary’s University and often rides his bike 30+ miles to and from work as part of his training. Lea comes from a family of elite athletes including his bother, Bobby Lea, 26, a professional cyclist who was a member of the 2008 Olympic Track Cycling Team. Representing the US are two swimmers from Bucks County, Maria D’Andrea (Bensalem, PA) and Gail Morning (Warrington, PA). D’Andrea, 18, is member of the Bensalem High School Swim team while Morning, 25, is a multi-sport athlete (swimming and powerlifting) who is no stranger to international competition. Both athletes are accomplished Special Olympians moving up to elite international competition and are coached by Karen Fisher (Mechanicsville, PA). At the Global Games, 150 swimmers will compete in a total of 42 events; the US swimmers will compete in 12 races each over four days. In order to enter, they had to meet high qualification standards. For example, the minimum qualifying time for the women’s long course 50m Freestyle is 39 seconds, while the current INAS-FID record in that event is an impressive 29 seconds. The US delegation will be led by Athletes Without Limits co-founders, Head Coach Barry Holman and Team Manager Julie Holman while Richard Murby of FWD Media in Washington DC will document the US athletes' experiences on film. Several parents and relatives also plan to travel with the team to show their support. The results of all the competitions including video, photos, and medal counts will be posted throughout the week at www.globalgames09.com.

Recruiting Athletes for First US Team to Compete at Global Games

withoutlimits — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:13:12 +0000

[caption id="attachment_929" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The 2008 INAS World Cycling Championships were also held in Portugal, US cyclist Syd Lea participated as a guest as the US did not have membership in INAS until the start-up of Athletes Without Limits in 2009."][/caption] We are preparing athletes to compete at the second annual INAS Global Games in the Czech Republic July 5-14, 2009. The event is an Olympic-style, open competition for the top athletes with an intellectual disability in the world. To date over 1,300 athletes from 33 countries have already registered to compete. Athletes may compete in one of the following Global Games summer sports, however, there are qualification time standards in some sports: Athletics (Track & Field), Cycling, Basketball (team), Futsal (team), Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Judo, With the startup of Athletes Without Limits, this is the first year an official team from the US has had the opportunity to compete in the Games. Last summer our Athlete Ambassador, Syd Lea, traveled with founder and president Coach Barry Holman to compete as a special guest at the 2008 INAS Cycling World Championships in Portugal (pictured above). This year Syd hopes to travel to Global Games 2009 with US teammates in toe. In his words:

"I loved racing in Portugal — the racing was hard and the cobblestones were only a little scary. I missed having teammates and had to race the team time trial alone, but met some cute girls from the Spanish team. I hope that this year we can have a US team."

Visit our Global Games 2009 event page to learn how to register to join Syd on on the US Team. If you or an athlete you know may be interested in competing, please send an email to info@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Athletes Without Limits needs your support...

withoutlimits — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:02:10 +0000

At the 2009 Global Games World Championships for athletes with intellectual disability there were 50-100 athletes each from the countries of Australia, France, Italy, Portugal, South Africa and Brazil — yet only three were from the United States. Competitions were held in nine sports yet the US was only involved in two (cycling and swimming). While the United States has ample opportunities for persons with intellectual disability to participate in recreational sport, the coaching, training, support and racing opportunities needed to compete with other countries at an international world-championship level has not been available to athletes who desire to take their sport to the highest levels. With the startup of Athletes Without Limits, we are changing this but we need your help.

[caption id="attachment_92" align="alignright" width="300" caption="US Cyclist, Syd Lea, pictured with the gold and bronze medalists, won 5 medals for his 2nd place overal standing in the 5-day cycling competition; yet had no cycling teammates with which to share the victories."][/caption]

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Athletes Without Limits is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; in-kind and cash donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. View the Athletes Without Limits Privacy Policy .

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2009 Global Games

withoutlimits — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:14:28 +0000

Date & Location

2009 INAS-FID Global Games July 4-15, 2009 Liberec, Czech Republic

Event Website

www.globalgames09.com

About the Event

Global Games is an Olympic-style, open competition that includes Athletics (Track & Field, Cross Country), Cycling, Basketball (team), Futsal (team indoor soccer), Rowing (indoor demonstration) Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Judo (demonstration). Each sport follows the rules of its official international governing body. For example cycling events are officiated by UCI officials following UCI rules and distances. To date over 1,300 athletes from 33 countries have already registered to compete! Athletes, family members and coaches are welcome to travel with us. Like the Olympic Village, everyone involved will stay in host accommodations (hotels or dorms) and will share meals and other cultural experiences.

What does it cost to participate?

For 2009, athletes, coaches and families must pay their own expenses (approximately $1,020 per person for registration, housing and ground transport) plus airfare to the Czech Republic. As we grow the association, we hope to provide financial assistance to athletes for future events. Thanks to a generous donation Athletes Without Limits will cover athlete airfare to the Czech Republic!

Do athletes need a parent, coach or chaperon?

Parents and coaches are welcome to come but athletes who are able to travel alone and/or rendezvous in Washington DC can travel with Athletes Without Limits staff (male and female). Our tentative travel dates are July 3rd and July 15th.

Who is eligible to compete?

Athletes who are considered intellectually disabled according to ADA guidelines will likely be considered eligible by INAS-FID. (IQ below 70-75, significant limitations in adaptive skill areas and sport, disability originated before the age of 18). Some sports (such as swimming) require time standards. Visit the Global Games website for sport by sport requirements or contact us for help.

What is the registration deadline?

Athletes Without Limits must receive the INAS-FID Eigibility Application no later than April 1, 2009 to complete the registration process in time for Global Games. We strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to ensure your eligibility can be confirmed in time for the event. Athletes and parents/guardians who intend to travel should apply for a passport (if needed) as early as possible.

Questions

Please contact us with any questions.

1st INAS-FID Indoor Rowing Championships

withoutlimits — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:05:42 +0000

Date: December 2009 Location: Hong Kong Organized By: INAS-FID Registration: Athletes must complete the INAS-FID eligibility application process prior to July 15, 2009. Please contact us if you are interested. Event Website: www.hksam.org.hk/2009rowing/eng/ Divisions: Male:

Adult: 1000m and/or 2,000m
*Under 23: 1000m and/or 2,000m
*Junior (18 & Under): 500m

Female:

Adult: 1000m and/or 2,000m
*Under 23: 1000m and/or 2,000m
*Junior (18 & Under): 500m

Mixed Relay (2male and 2female per team):

Adult:4x500m
*Under 23 Team: 4x500m
*Junior Team: 4x500m

*Athletes may compete in an Under 23 event until 31^st December of the year in which he reaches the age of 22. Athletes may compete in a Junior rowing event until 31^st December of the year in which he reaches the age of 18.

5th INAS-FID World Table Tennis Championships

withoutlimits — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:21:17 +0000

Date: 2010 TBD Location: Poland Registration: Details will be posted as they become available; interested athletes should begin the athlete eligibility application as far as 5-6 months in advance.

USA Track & Field 5k Cross Country Disability Championships

withoutlimits — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:21:23 +0000

Date: October 4, 2009 Location: Kings Park, New York. Organized by: USA Track & Field and Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program (www.rtsnp.org) Event Details: Classes for all disabilities (physical or intellectual). The 5km race is held in the beautiful waterfront Kings Park on Long Island and is extremely family friendly for spectators with an awards banquet sponsored by CSEA following the race. Registration:INAS-FID Eligibility is not required. Register online at: www.glirc.org or download flyer. Individual athletes should register directly for this event. Athletes Without Limits staff will attended the race in order to meet athletes interested in learning more about upcoming INAS-FID international competitions for runners with intellectual disability. Athletes interested in learning more about the race for next years event can visit the USA Track & Field Website for more information.

Seeking a Licensed Pscyhologist to Serve as US Eligibility Officer

withoutlimits — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:48:46 +0000

November 2010: Athletes Without Limits requires a National Eligibility Officer (NEO), who serves as a vital member of the US Eligibility Committee in classifying athletes for INAS-FID and Paralympic competition. The National Eligibility Officer is responsible for checking that US athlete eligibility applications have been fully completed and that appropriate evidence of intellectual disability has been provided regarding intellectual functioning, adaptive testing age of disability onset. For more information read the volunteer position posting.

Courier Times Features Global Games Swimmer Maria D'Andrea

withoutlimits — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:13:51 +0000

[caption id="attachment_659" align="alignright" width="190" caption="Maria D'Andrea is the first US swimmer to earn INAS world-ranking with several top ten finishes including 8th in the Women's 800 Freestyle."][/caption] This article appeared in the August 15, 2009 print edition of the Bucks County Courier Times and online at Phillyburbs.com.

A world of experience for Bensalem's D'Andrea

By KAREN SANGILLO STAFF WRITER Link to Original Article Maria D’Andrea turned her interest in swimming into a passion that has taken her to a whole new world. And she didn’t let a disability get in her way. The Bensalem student competed at the International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability Global Games in Liberec, Czech Republic. D’Andrea has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and stutters. She finished eighth in the 800-meter freestyle in 11 minutes, 55.98 seconds. She was also 10th in the 400 freestyle (5:57.24), 11th in the 50 freestyle (33.58), 14th in both the 200 backstroke (3:27.40) and 100 freestyle (1:17.27), 16th in both the 50 breaststroke (54.58) and 50 backstroke (48.64) and 18th in the 100 backstroke (1:38.09). “I did really well,” D’Andrea said. “I was kind of surprised to finish eighth in the 800, because the competition was really, really tough. “I’m so glad I went. Everyone was kind of like me, so I didn’t have to worry about anything; I just fit right in. I made so many friends and had so much fun. I’d never been to another country before; it was really great. I was so sad when it was over.” D’Andrea competed for Bensalem’s high school team, but is now out of eligibility. She wants to continue swimming competitively. “Swimming is the No. 1 thing in my life,” she said. “I’m hoping I can find a masters team to swim with.” She had competed through Special Olympics in the past, but has proven to be too strong a swimmer for that level. “Special Olympics is a great, great program, but over time, it wasn’t competitive enough for her,” said her father, Jack. “I was on the Internet and found this program [Athletes Without Limits & INAS-FID]. I thought it was too good to be true, but I looked into it and everything checked out, so we thought we’d give it a try. “This really was worthwhile for her. She was really thrilled to get a passport, and I know she had a good time. Right after she came back, we drove to Florida for a conference on stuttering. We were in the car for three days, and I don’t think two minutes went by where we didn’t hear about the Czech Republic and swimming. “Swimming has opened doors for her. When she came back from the Czech Republic, she told me she was sorry she hadn’t won any medals, but that doesn’t matter to me at all. “I told her she went to another country, which I never did, and she is swimming competitively, which I never did. Her mother (Maryanne) and I are so proud of her.” She will continue getting essential subjects taught to her at Bensalem, and will soon be starting a job at Philadelphia Biblical University. “I’m excited to have a job, and I really don’t think I could have done that without the confidence I got from swimming,” she said.

Events by Sport

withoutlimits — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:38:01 +0000

Athletics (Track & Field) Cycling Rowing Swimming Table Tennis Other Sports

Donate

withoutlimits — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:11:31 +0000

Can you run a 4-minute mile?

Swim 100 meters under a minute?

High jump over 7 feet?

Compete in a 5-day mountain stage race in Europe?

There are athletes with intellectual disability from around the world who do achieve such great heights, but few are from the United States—we need your help to change that. At the 2009 Global Games World Championships for athletes with intellectual disability there were 50-100 athletes each from the countries of Australia, France, Italy, Portugal, South Africa and Brazil — yet only 3 were from the US. We think world championship trophies are exciting and we want to win some for the US — so do athletes with intellectual disability (despite a common misconception that athletes with intellectual impairment lack competitiveness). But they can’t do it without financial support. Your tax-deductible gift will go directly toward providing talented US athletes with intellectual disability the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of their sport and to proudly represent themselves and the United States at international world championship level competitions including the 2012 Paralympics. About Monthly Giving: Each month your contribution is automatically transferred from your account to Athletes Without Limits. For example, if you choose to make a monthly donation of $25 today, we will automatically charge your credit card or bank account $25 on the 20th of each month. You will receive an initial acknowledgment of your pledge and then a tax receipt for your cumulative annual contributions at the end of each fiscal year. You can increase, decrease, or suspend your gift amount at any time by calling Julie Holman at (202) 544-0510.

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Athletes Without Limits is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; in-kind and cash donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. View the Athletes Without Limits Privacy Policy .

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withoutlimits — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:12:44 +0000

Online Forms

withoutlimits — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:35:13 +0000

5th INAS-FID World Cross Country Championships

withoutlimits — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:44:21 +0000

[caption id="attachment_786" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Click the image to view photos from the official website of Vac, Hungary."] [/caption] Date: March 4-8, 2010 Location: Vac, Pest, Hungary Events: Mens' Short Course: 3,000 m Men's Long Course: 6,000 m Women's Short Course: 2,000 m Women's Long Course: 4,000 m Individual and Team (Country) Rankings Registration: Verbal commitment required by December 14, 2009. Athletes Without Limits must receive INAS-FID eligibility application before January 1, 2010. Interested athletes should contact us immediately. Who Can Compete? Athletes Without Limits is actively recruiting men and women for the US team. Selection will be competitive and all athletes must meet the INAS-FID eligibility requirements by submitting the Eligibility Application as early as possible. We do not recommend waiting until the January deadline to begin this process. Expenses Athlete registration, room and board for this event cost 310 Euros per person. Additional costs include airfare to Hungary and other travel expenses. Athletes Without Limits will be fundraising to offset registration and travel expenses, however, athletes should be prepared to cover some of their expenses. General Information (Provided by the event promoters): More information will be available soon on the event's official website: www.mes-parasport.hu Schedule: March 4: Arrival of the delegations at Budapest – Ferihegy Airport – Transfer by bus to Vác March 5 : Visit the venue – Technical meeting – Training –Opening Ceremony Party March 6: Competitions-Short course (3000 metres men//2000 metres women) March 7: Competitions-Long course (6000 metres men//4000 metres women); Closing Ceremony March 8: Departure of the delegations from Vác to the airports Medical: Sports medical staff will be present during each day competition of the championships as well as at designated training teams. Physiotherapist will be engaged during competition to attend to any injuries that will require their attention during warm-up and competition. Rules: Competition will be run according to rules of IAAF – International Amateur Athletics Federation – and INAS- FID. Team Competition Format: Only one team per country and only nations with a minimum of 3 participant athletes per sex are eligible to participate in the Team Competition (male or female). The classification system for Team Competition is: the team with less points is going to be the first classified.

Syd Lea

withoutlimits — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:22:50 +0000

Hometown: Taneytown, Maryland INAS Sport(s): Cycling & Rowing Other Sports: Cross Country Running, Equestrian, Skiing, Triathlon Coach: Barry Holman Team: T.E.A.M. Fuji Cycling, Athletes Without Limits Rowing Team As the first “Athlete Without Limits,” Syd Lea is a true ambassador for mainstreaming in athletics and life by opening up doors for other intellectually disabled athletes and opening the eyes, hearts and minds of his non-disabled competitors. Syd is currently the 2nd ranked cyclist with intellectual disability in the world following his 5 medal performances representing the US at the 2009 INAS-FID Global World Championships. He also competes in mainstream (non-disabled) US Cycling events where he races for T.E.A.M. Fuji as a Category 4 Racer on the Track; a Category 5 Racer on the Road; and a Category 4 Racer in Cyclocross. Additionally, Syd competes in several sports in Special Olympics at the local, national and international level culminating in two gold and one silver medal in cycling at the 2007 World Games in Shanghai, China. He has also officiated speed skating at World Games in Nagono, Japan and Boise, Idaho. Syd is very well known on the local, regional, national and international cycling scene, but not just because he is a successful competitor. He is best known for being a friend to all athlete at all levels of sport — whether juniors, beginner women, world champions or other athletes with disability. One week you’ll find him working the "pits" for a pro racer at a UCI event and the next he'll be loaning his bike and his race knowledge to a first time racer so she can give racing a try in a local event. When he is not traveling, racing or training, Syd works as a member of the groundskeeping crew at Mount Saint Mary’s University; volunteers at a local horse farm; and helps with event promotion for the annual Taneytown MABRA Cyclocross Championships to benefit Athletes Without Limits. He also makes a monthly donation to Athletes Without Limits to help support the development of other exceptional athletes with intellectual disability. Last year Syd began serious training in hopes of making the first US National Rowing Team for athletes with Intellectual Disability now that a class for a coxed four has been added to the 2016 Paralympic Rowing program. He won the 2009 and 2010 category for athletes with intellectual disability at the ConceptII Crash B Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston and participated in the US Rowing Camp for Athletes with Intellectual Disability in Texas in April 2011.

Results Highlights:

*indicates competition against non-disabled athletes Member of US Cycling Team at 2009  INAS-FID Global Games, Czech Republic • Silver: Overall, Long Time Trial,   Short & Long Road Races • Bronze: Short Time Trial, Team Time Trial 2009 MABRA Category 4 Men’s  Cyclocross Champion (non-disabled) • Two first place finishes in the fall series* • Consistent top 5 finishes in field of 100+ rider*

News Coverage:

Vote on re-inclusion into Paralympics passes

withoutlimits — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:48:59 +0000

[caption id="attachment_449" align="alignnone" width="554" caption="A computer generated image of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. (Public photo courtesy of London 2012)"] [/caption]

Athletes Without Limits is excited to support US athletes who set their sites on competing in Paralympic competition

On November 21 a majority of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) membership decided in favor of the re-inclusion of athletes with an intellectual disability in competitions, including the Paralympics. This important decision restores the Olympic dream to these athletes for the first time since the Sydney 2000 Games. Read the full IPC press release. Four sports likely to include classification for athletes with intellectual disability at 2012 Games. At this time it is likely that the following four sports will have eligibility processes in place in time to reinclude athletes with intellectual disability in time for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. This will be confirmed by Autumn 2010 (early 2011 for Athletics). In addition, there may be opportunities for athletes to participate in world championship IPC events starting in 2010. These will be posted in our events category.

Swimming (IPC)
Athletics (Track & Field) (IPC)
Rowing (FISA)
Table Tennis (ITTF)

First steps for interested US athletes is to work with Athletes Without Limits to complete the INAS-FID eligibility application. According to the IPC, the first step athletes should take toward Paralympic classification is to register with their INAS-FID member organization (in the US this is Athletes Without Limits) by completing the INAS-FID Eligibility application. Following a successful INAS-FID eligibility check, athletes will then need to work within the National (eg. US Rowing) and International Federations (eg. FISA) in their sport to enter into competitions (eg. Rowing World Championships), where they may have to participate in sport-specific on-site testing prior to events to confirm eligibility findings. This testing is still under development and may differ for each sport. In addition, inconsistencies between on-site testing and observation during competition may allow for protest submission in accordance with sport classification rules. As information becomes available, it will be outlined in a Classification Handbook for each sport. Note: The Paralympic class for athletes with intellectual disability is called "S14." Related News Coverage: BBC Coverage of Re-inclusion into Paralympics

We're looking for exceptional athletes...

withoutlimits — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:16:43 +0000

We're looking for talented athletes with intellectual disability to represent the United States in open competition in the US and abroad.

As the US member of International Federation for Sport for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS), Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for athletes to compete in INAS, Paralympic and other events in the United States and abroad. We're looking for athletes who are excel in their chosen sports (possibly in Special Olympics or on school or community teams), and who seek further opportunity to compete against the top athletes with intellectual disability in the world as well as in mainstream (non-disabled) sporting events. For 2010 we are focusing our US recruiting efforts on cycling and the four sports in which athletes with intellectual disability may be included at the 2012 Paralympics: rowing, swimming, table tennis and track & field. However, opportunities also exist in other sports and we will organize trips and teams based on athlete interest. Athletes must meet IQ and other eligibility requirements. If you know of athletes who may be interested, please call our office at 202-544-0510 or email info@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

We look forward to meeting you!

Maria D'Andrea

withoutlimits — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:08:03 +0000

Hometown: Bensalem, Pennsylvania INAS Sports: Swimming Past Coach(es): Karen Fisher Current Coach: Team(s): Bensalem High School Swim Team Bensalem Aquatic Club Community Swim Team US-INAS National Team Maria is ranked in the top 10 in the world in several swim events following an impressive debut that included an 8th place finish in the long-course 800m freestyle and a 10th place finish in the 400m freestyle at the 2009 INAS Global Games world swimming championships. Maria also participated in the 1,000m demonstration indoor rowing event while at the Global Games. Maria began breaking ground as a young student when she became a member of the Bensalem High School Swim Team (a non-disabled team) from 2005-2009. In 2007 she received the Spirit Award and Trophy from Bensalem Aquatic Club Community Swim Team. Maria has won numerous gold medals at Special Olympics Bucks County and Special Olympics State Championship events, most notably beating all her male competitors! Special Olympic coach Karen Fisher traveled with Maria and Athletes Without Limits to the 2009 INAS Global Games, and was instrumental in Maria achieving PR's in several events despite it being her first time competing in a long-course (50m) pool. Now that she is no longer in High School, Maria has begun training with a coach in her hometown, where she is also teaching younger students how to swim. She credits swimming with giving her the confidence she needed to overcome her disability, have a job and enjoy the chlorinated life of a swimmer through and through. Maria is hoping to make history by being the first female athlete with an intellectual disability to make the US Paralympic Swim Team by the 2012 Games in London.

Results Highlights:

2010 GTAC Open Disability Meet Sanctioned by US Paralympics & USA Swimming Events and Times coming soon. 2009 INAS Global Games, Czech Republic Member of US-INS Swim Team Events and Times coming soon.

News Coverage:

Gail Morning

withoutlimits — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:12:10 +0000

Hometown: Warrington, Pennsylvania INAS-FID Sports: Swimming, Indoor Rowing Other Sports: Powerlifting, Tennis Coach: Karen Fisher Gail ranked among the top 25 in several swimming events at 2009 Global Games World Championships including 16th place finishes in the long course 200m Freestyle and 800m Freestyle. She also competed in the demonstration indoor rowing competition at Global Games, and placed 12th among women athletes from all sports on a 1,000m ergometer test.

Results Highlights:

2010 GTAC Disability Meet Sanctioned by US Paralympics • Events and times coming soon. 2009 INAS-FID Global Games, Czech Republic • Member US Swim Team, Swim events and times coming soon • Participant in 2009 Indoor Rowing Demonstration:

News Coverage:

Athlete Without Limits' Syd Lea Wins MABRA Cyclocross Series

withoutlimits — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:28:30 +0000

Cyclist Syd Lea won 2 races and placed in the top 3 in several others (competing against non-disabled riders) to capture the 2009 MABRA Cat4 Men series title

While he has regularly placed in the top 10 in MABRA and other cyclocross events, 2009 marks his last season as a Cat 4 Cross racer — with two wins and several top 3 finishes he'll be required to move up to the Cat 3 race in 2010. Lea has been competing since he was a child in USA Cycling and UCI International events as a Cat 4 Cyclocross Racer, a Cat 4 Track Cyclist and a Cat 5 Road cyclist. He's just returned from December's Cyclocross National Championships in Bend, Oregon, where snow and ice conditions created a spectacularly challenging race course. With over 150 riders in most events, Lea finished respectably in the pack of (non-disabled) men in the Cat4 race and the Single Speed event. Lea is currently ranked 2nd in the INAS-FID world rankings of cyclists with intellectual disability following a 5-medal performance at the 2009 INAS-FID Global Games 5-day cycling stage race.

C.R.A.S.H.-B. Indoor Rowing Sprints

withoutlimits — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:42:45 +0000

Date: February 14, 2010 Location: Boston University’s Agganis Arena Event: Will include adaptive categories (1,000m ergometer row) for athletes with physical and intellectual disability Organized by: Concept II Registration: Athletes can register directly at the event website. INAS-FID Eligibility is not required but we'd love to hear from you if you are thinking of or plan on attending. Shoot us an email to info@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

Test your strength on a 1,000 row; new in 2010 is a class for athletes with intellectual disability

Crash B's are a great way to get reading for spring rowing. Hosted by Concept II (the company that makes those grueling rowing machines) this year's popular event will include an added class for athletes with intellectual disability. Athletes Without Limits cyclist Syd Lea and some of our staff will participate in the event and host a table to answer any questions you may have about new opportunities in rowing for athletes with intellectual disability.

2010 FISA World Rowing Championships (on water)

withoutlimits — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:01:24 +0000

Date: October 31-November 7, 2010 Location: Karapiro, New Zealand Organized by: FISA (Eligibility Sanctioned by INAS-FID) Registration: Please contact us if you are a US rower interested in competing in a mixed coxed 4 (2 male/2 female) so we can work with you to become INAS-FID eligible. Event Website: www.wrch2010.com

2nd INAS-FID Indoor Rowing World Championships

withoutlimits — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:04:03 +0000

[caption id="attachment_1709" align="alignright" width="169" caption="Figueira da Foz, a city with broad beaches on the central west coast of Portugal, is known as the “Queen of the Silver Coast.""][/caption] Date: December 1-5, 2010 Location: Figueira Da Foz, Portugal Venue: Figueira da Foz Sports Hall (All events will take place using indoor rowing machines or ergometers) Organized By: ANDDI (Portuguese Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability) and INAS-FID ( International Federation for Sport for Athletes with Intellectual Disability) US Team Selection: Athletes Without Limits will be selecting and managing the US team and will make travel arrangements to this event depending on athlete interest. Eligibility: Athletes must meet three criteria as demonstrated through an application process: 1) IQ at or below 75, 2) Significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior, and 3) age of disability onset prior to 18. Interested athletes should contact us immediately and begin the INAS-FID eligibility application process, which can take 2-6 months to complete as all athletes must complete the application before September 1, 2010 in order to participate in this event. Program: "Subsequent the enormous success obtained on the Indoor Rowing Demonstration event during the Global Games 2009 in the Czech Republic, and the 1st World Championships 2009 in Hong Kong... the Organising Committee supported by ANDDI-Portugal and INAS-FID have the pleasure to invite you to the “2nd INAS-FID World Indoor Rowing Championships."

December 1 (Wed): Arrival of Delegations
December 2 (Thursday): Technical Meeting Opening Ceremony Training Session Social Program
December 3 (Friday): 1st Competition - 1000m Individual Ergometer Event 2nd Competition - 4 x 500m Mixed Relay
December 4 (Saturday): 3rd Competition - 500m Individual Ergometer Event 4th Competition - 4 x 1000m Mixed Relay Awards & Closing Ceremony
December 5 (Sunday): Departure of Delegations

Travel: Pending athlete interest, Athletes Without Limits will assist athletes in organizing group travel from the Baltimore/Washington, DC area to the Lisbon Airport. Some financial assistance may be available, but athletes and accompanying parents/guardians should be prepared to cover flight and registration expenses. Registration/Room & Board: The event registration fee of 80 Euros/day (@ $105/day*) for four nights plus a total tax of 10 Euros (@ $15*) covers shuttle service to/from Lisbon Airport to the venue; all food and lodging in the event hotel (double occupancy); and the event entry fee for athletes. Depending on the size of the delegation and athlete needs, accompanying parents/guardians may be able to stay in same hotel. *registration conversion to dollars will vary depending on exchange rates at time of payment. More information: Interested athletes should contact us at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or 202-544-0510 for more information.

5th INAS-FID Open European Swimming Championships

withoutlimits — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:46:44 +0000

[caption id="attachment_1191" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Swimming Pool of Loano"][/caption] Date: June 13-20, 2010 Location: Loano, Italy Pool: 50 m outdoor Swimming Pool of Loano, P.zza Valerga 22, Loano (Sv); Hotel: There are two options- all athletes will stay together in hotel that is selected for the USA team by Athletes Without Limits staff and the event promoters. Either Loano 2 Village or Hotel Excelsior Loano. Registration: Athletes Without Limits is likely to organize a trip to this event. INAS-FID Eligibility is required; we recommend starting the process 5-6 months before the event as eligibility must be confirmed before March 15, 2010. Please contact us immediately by email at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org if you are interested. Cost: The cost per athlete is approximately 650 euros plus airfare to Italy. If there is enough athlete interest to take a US team we will fundraise to offset some or all of the costs. Prizes: The first 3 places regardless of country will be awarded prizes. The first 3 European places will also be awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals for the European Championships. Example: If top 5 finishers are from Hungary, Australia, Italy, USA, and Great Britian, then the athletes from Hungary, Italy and Great Britian will win the European title. Events: Download Full 4 Day Program (includes Qualification Times) Qualification Times (times are for 50m long course pool):

1500 Freestyle: Male 22:50
800 Freestyle: Female ----
400 Freestyle: Female Male 6:00
200 Freestyle: Female 3:35 Male 2:30
100 Freestyle: Female 1:36 Male 1:08
50 Freestyle: Female 00:39 Male

200 Backstroke: Female 4:25 Male 3:14
100 Backstroke: Female 1:55 Male 1:30
50 Backstroke: Female 00:55 Male 00:37

200 Butterfly: Female 4:24 Male 3:14
100 Butterfly: Female 2:05 Male 1:25
50 Butterfly: Female 00:52 Male 00:35

200 Breastroke: Female 4:25 Male 3:30
100 Breastroke: Female 1:55 Male 1:30
50 Breastroke: Female 00:51 Male 00:41

400 IM: Female 7:55 Male 6:17
200 IM: Female 4:02 Male 3:05

5th INAS-FID Open European Cycling Championships

withoutlimits — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:16:52 +0000

[caption id="attachment_929" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The 2008 INAS-FID World Cycling Championships were also held in Portugal, where US cyclist Syd Lea participated as a guest. The US did not have membership in INAS-FID until the startup of Athletes Without Limits in 2009."][/caption] Date: June 1-7, 2010 Location: Idanha Nova Portugal Organized by: INAS Europe Events: Multi-day stage race with short and long time trials and road races. Registration: INAS-FID Eligibility is required; we recommend starting the process 5-6 months before the event. Athletes Without Limits will organize a trip based on athlete interest. Please contact us if you are interested.

USA Table Tennis Nationals

withoutlimits — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:27:27 +0000

Date: December 14-18, 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Registration: For more information visit: http://www.usatt.org/disabled/tournaments.shtml

5th INAS-FID World Football (Soccer) Championships

withoutlimits — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:09:08 +0000

Date: Aug 21, 2010 - Sep 12, 2010 Location: Limpopo, South Africa Organized by: INAS FID Registration: Athletes Without Limits will organize a US Team based on athlete interest; athletes should begin the athlete eligibility application as far as 5-6 months in advance. Please contact us with any questions.

6th INAS-FID World Indoor Athletics Championships

withoutlimits — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:32:35 +0000

Date: April 14,19, 2010 Location: Bolinas, Sweden Organized by: INAS FID Registration: Information will be posted as it becomes available but interested athletes should begin the athlete eligibility application at least 5-6 months in advance. Please contact us with any questions.

5th INAS-FID Open European Athletics Championships

withoutlimits — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:34:07 +0000

Date: July 7-12, 2010 Location: Varazdin, Croatia Organized by: INAS Europe (Open to Other Countries) Registration: Information will be posted as it becomes available but interested athletes should begin the athlete eligibility application as far in advance as possible. Please contact us if you are interested in this event.

INAS-FID Nordic & Alpine Skiing Championships

withoutlimits — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:12:58 +0000

Date: March 7-10, 2010 Location: Ponte De Legno, Tonale - Brescia, Italy Hotel: Hotel Mirella (4 stars) Registration: INAS-FID Eligibility is required; we recommend starting the process 5-6 months before the event. Please contact us immediately if you are interested. Provisional Program: March 7, 2010: ARRIVAL

4:00 pm Accreditation 6:00 pm Opening ceremony 9:00 pm Technical Meeting

March 8, 2010: ALPINE SKIING

8:30 am Reconnaissance lap 9:30 am 1° Trial Giant Slalom 1:15 pm Reconnaissance lap 2:30 pm 2° Trial Giant Slalom

March 8, 2010: NORDIC SKIING

8:30 am Reconnaissance lap 9:30 am Start: Classical Technical 200 mt Classical Technical 1000 mt Classical Technical 500 mt 2:30 pm Classical Technical 3000 mt 9:00 pm Technical Meeting

March 9, 2010: ALPINE SKIING

8:30 am Reconnaissance lap 9:30 am 1° Trial Special Slalom 1:15 pm Reconnaissance lap 2:00 pm 2° Trial Special Slalom

March 9, 2010: NORDIC SKIING

8:30 am Reconnaissance lap 9:30 am Start: Classical Technical 1000 mt

7th Annual GTAC Paralympic Swim Meet

withoutlimits — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:41:32 +0000

Date: May 15-16, 2010 Location: Keating Aquatic Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio Nearest Airport: CVG Host Hotel: Marriott Kingsgate Conference Hotel Host: The Greater Toledo Aquatic Club (International Paralympic Committee (IPC)-Swimming Approved; LCM/National Classification Available) Pool: 50m Long Course Who Can Participate? Swimmers with any kind of disability are welcome (including athletes with intellectual disability) from the US or abroad. There are no qualification times and FIRST TIME as well as experienced swimmers are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Last year's meet was very successful and saw many new swimmers come into this Paralympic sport. It is an excellent opportunity for both new and experienced swimmers, and each year, American and World records have been set. Program of Events:

Friday Evening Warm-up / Open Training: TBA Classification: 9am-7pm

Saturday Morning Session Warm-up 8:00am / Meet Start 9:00am (Women Swim First, Men Second for all events below) Note: Swimmers Can enter up to 4 events per session. 1-2: 50m Freestyle 3-4: 200m Breaststroke 5-6: 100m Backstroke 7-8: 200m Butterfly 9-10: 100m IM 11-12: 400m Freestyle

Saturday Evening Session Warm-up 4:00pm / Meet Start 5:00pm (Women Swim First, Men Second for all events below) 13-14: 100m Freestyle 15-16: 200m Backstroke 17-18: 50m Breaststroke 19-20: 100m Butterfly 21-22: 400m IM

Sunday Morning Session Warm-up 8:00am / Meet Start 9:00am 23-24 200m Freestyle 25-26 50m Backstroke 27-28 100m Breaststroke 29-30 50m Butterfly 31-32 200m IM 33-24 50m Freestyle 35-36 1500m Freestyle (800m Split)

Registration: The registration deadline is April 15, 2010 and the registration fee is $75/swimmer however there are some eligibility requirements that can take longer. Please contact us immediately by email at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or at {202} 373 8038 if you are an athlete with intellectual disability who is interested in competing at this event.

2010 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships

withoutlimits — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:18:51 +0000

Date: June 15-20, 2010

June 15-17: Tentative Classification dates
June 15-20: Registration
June 15-17: Training
June 18-20: Competition

Location: Miramar, Florida Venue: Ansin Sports Complex Organized by: US Paralympics Description: For the first time in over a decade, Paralympic Track & Field will be including a class for T20 (intellectually disabled) athletes for the 1500m, shot put and long jump starting with the 2010 U.S. National Championships in June 2010. The National Championships are a potential qualifier for the January 2011 IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. Qualification Standards for T20 Athletes with Intellectual Disability: In order to compete at the National meet, T20 athletes must have made the qualifying times below. U.S. Paralympics accepted events for entry into the National Championships or to achieve National Team status include competitions sanctioned, approved or recognized by the following governing bodies: IPC, USATF, NCAA, State HS Championships or Special Olympics State Meets. Events must have three (3) or more competitors in the event (any class) and USATF and/or IPC certified officials shall have conducted the competition. Results must be Fully Automatic Timed (FAT) with wind gauge readings. Please download the U.S. Paralympic Guidelines for T20 Athletes for more detailed information. Events and Qualifying Times: (Look under the "Elite Standard for National Championships" column in the table below for the minimum qualifying times for this event.) Registration: Please immediately at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or 202-544-0510 if you are interested in this event as there are special instructions for athletes with intellectual disability. A general outline of steps is below.

Eligibility Application: Athletes must first submit an eligibility application to Athletes Without Limits by June 1, 2010 before registering for this event. There is a one-time $30 processing fee. Note: Step 1 must be completed before moving on to steps 2-5.
Proof of [Qualifying] Performance Form: Athletes must submit this form showing their qualifying time at an approved meet.
IPC License Application: All participants must have an International Paralympic License. Athletes Without Limits will submit this form on behalf of the athletes and will cover the $25 license fee.)
Register for the event online at the US Paralympics website. The registration deadline is June 14, 2010 and there is a $55 registration fee.
Make travel and hotel arrangements using the information provides on the event website. You will want to review the event schedule for planning travel dates.

Further Information: Further information on the meet, hotels, and area can be found at the event website: http://usparalympics.org/2010trackandfieldnationalchampionships Questions: Contact us at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or 202-544-0510

2011 IPC Athletics (Track & Field) World Championships

withoutlimits — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:35:50 +0000

Date: January 15-31, 2010 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Venue: QEII Park Organized by: IPC Athletics (Track & Field) & Paralympics New Zealand Description: For the first time in a decade Paralympic Track & Field will be including a class for athletes with intellectual disability (called T20/F20) for the 1500m, shot put and long jump at the January 2011 IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. Qualification Standards for U.S. Athletes with Intellectual Disability: US Paralympics has established the standards below for US Athletes. Athletes with intellectual disability must meet the "A" or "B" national team standards at the 2010 U.S. Paralympic National Championships to be considered and there may be other factors in determining who will ultimately make the US team for this event. Registration: (NOW CLOSED) Athletes must compete at the June 2010 Paralympic Track & Field National Championship to compete in this event to qualify. Athletes must be INAS-registered and have an IPC Athletics License by October 2010 to participate (both are required for US National Team qualifying meets so athletes who are in contention for World slots will already have them). Athletes may be required to attend classification upon arrival at the World Championships and all athletes are subject to observation in competition. Read the IPC Memo for the most up to date classification information. Further Information: Further information can be found at the event website and you can sign up to receive event updates by email at: www.ipcathleticsworldchamps.com Questions: Contact us at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or 202-544-0510

2010 IPC Swimming World Championships

withoutlimits — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:34:33 +0000

Date: August 15-21, 2010 Location: Eindhoven, the Netherlands Watch a Video Invitation on YouTube. Pool: The Pieter van den Hoogenband swimming stadium has a 50 meter pool (10 lanes), a 25 meter pool (8 lanes) with a diving well and a 50 meter training pool (4 lanes) with the Vision Training System, which allows swimmers and coaches, through the use of 13 cameras, to extensively analyze their technique. Hotel: NH Koningshof is surrounded by forest and located approximately 15 km from the swimming venue. Events: In 16 different distances and events, swum in 14 classes, athletes from all over the world will compete for titles and medals. The following three events are open to athletes with intellectual disability (class s14):

200m Freestyle
100m Backstroke
100m Breaststroke

Qualification Times: There are no qualification times for athletes with intellectual disability. Registration: Please contact us immediately by email at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or at (202) 544-010 if you are interested in this event. INAS-FID Eligibility/Classification is required; we recommend starting the process 5-6 months before the event. Note: There will be on-site sport specific testing of athletes at this event (See Overview of 2010 Classification Process: Stage II).

Maria D'Andrea and Gail Morning Make Strong Showing at First Paralympic Qualifying Meet

withoutlimits — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:05:25 +0000

The GTAC Disability Swim meet provided an opportunity for Athletes Without Limits swimmers to compete together with physically disabled Paralympic swimmers for the first time. Swimmers Maria D'Andrea and Gail Morning traveled to Cincinnati last month to compete in the 7th Annual Greater Toledo Aquatic Club (GTAC) Disability Open Swimming Championships, sanctioned by both USA Swimming and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). While the meet organizers have always welcomed athletes with any disability to compete, what makes this year's meet different is that it is the first time US athletes with intellectual disability (Class S14) could count their performance toward making the US Paralympic team. Pennsylvania swimmer Maria D'Andrea is getting closer to making that standard with a very strong performance in the 100m Freestyle. D'Andrea has her sights set on the London 2012 Paralympic Games and plans to train hard for 2011 US Team qualifying events. Both D'Andrea and Morning achieved personal bests in at least one of the many events they competed in throughout the weekend. The meet featured top North American Paralympians and many records were set: Summer Mortimer of Ducks Swimming, Ontario, Canada, set a World and Canadian record in the S10 Class in the 200 meter Backstroke (2:26.89) and the 50 meter Backstroke (32.53). Katarina Roxon, S9, of Newfoundland, also set a Canadian record in her 50 meter freestyle (32:17). US records were set by Taylor Hetrick, S11, in the 400 meter IM (9:15.53), while Cheryl Angelelli, S4, broke the US record in the 100 meter Backstroke (2:23.20). Meet promoters welcomed all new swimmers who wanted to learn more about Paralympic opportunities and US Paralympic coach Dave Thomas answered questions in an informational session.New and experienced swimmers celebrated together at the traditional Saturday night social, and US Paralympic coach Dave Thomas had a full house at his informational clinic at noon the same day. Full meet results are available here. Athletes Without Limits looks forward to traveling with more S14 swimmers (intellectual disability) in 2011. The meet is set for May 21-22, 2011. Click here for more information.

2011 Global Games World Championships

withoutlimits — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:00:36 +0000

[caption id="attachment_2703" align="alignright" width="177" caption="NEW! Download the handbook for event information and registration forms. Registration deadline is April 20, 2011."][/caption]

Date & Location

2011 INAS Global Games September 24- October 4, 2011 Liguria, Italy

About the Event

Athletes Without Limits is organizing the eligibility, team selection and travel for the US team competing at the 2011 Global Games. This will be our second trip to the Global Games following a strong showing and 5 US medals at the 2009 Games in the Czech Republic. Global Games is an Olympic-style, world championship competition for the top athletes with intellectual disability competing in: Athletics (Track & Field, Cross Country), Cycling, Basketball (team), Futsal (team indoor soccer), Swimming, Table Tennis, and Tennis and Indoor Rowing (ergometer). There will also be an on the water demonstration rowing competition in coxed mixed fours. opportunities for rowers. Each sport follows the rules of its official international governing body. For example cycling events are officiated by UCI officials following UCI rules and distances. It is anticipated that 1,500 athletes from over 30 different countries will compete, with some countries bringing over 100 athletes each. Everyone involved will stay in 3-and 4-star hotels in the region of Liguria, known as the Italian Riviera, and will share meals and other cultural experiences with elite athletes with intellectual disability from around the world.

Interested in Paralympic Competition?

The Global Games are sanctioned by the IPC as the World Championships for athletes with intellectual disability and are highly recommended for any athlete who aspires to make a US Paralympic team.

Who is eligible to compete?

Athletes must meet the INAS/IPC eligibility guidelines and be registered several months in advance: (IQ below 70-75, significant limitations in adaptive skill areas and sport, disability originated before the age of 18).

Time Standards

There are minimum time standards set by INAS for competing in Swimming and Track and Field. See pages 12 and 16 in the Global Games Handbook for details.

Eligibility Application and Registration Deadline

We strongly encourage you to submit your Athlete Eligibility Application as early as fall 2010 to ensure your eligibility can be confirmed in time for the event.

The deadline for receiving new athlete eligibility applications has passed.
The deadline to register for GG (for athletes who are already in eligibility process) is April 20, 2011.
To register, download the 2011 Global Games Handbook for US Athletes.

Passport

Athletes and parents/guardians who are considering overseas travel should also apply for a passport (if needed) as early as possible.

Questions

Please contact us if you are interested in participating in this event.

Michael Murray

withoutlimits — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:35:22 +0000

Hometown: Nashville, TN Sport: Track & Field Teams: Nashville Illusions Track Club 2011 U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team Michael is the first US athlete with an intellectual disability to make a U.S. Paralymic team since the re-inclusion vote in November 2009. He was one of only three athletes with intellectual disability to earn a place at the 2010 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals, where he took first place in the T20 1500m run with a time of 4:21:48. This earned him the opportunity to join the US Paralympic Team at the 2011 IPC Track & Field World Championships in New Zealand January 2011. A strong showing and a 13th place finish there gives Micheal the chance to be the first US athlete with intellectual disability to make the US Team for the 2012 Paralympics. Micheal is an inspirational athlete who has show he is truly "without limits" as he has been training with and competing against non-disabled athletes at regional and national-level USA Track & Field competitions as a member of the Nashville Illusions Track Club since the age of 9. Michael has overcome extraordinary challenges but finds running allows him to focus on what’s ahead and live his personal mantra: "It’s not how you start, but how you finish."

News Coverage:

Competition Highlights:

*indicates competition against non-disabled athletes 2011 Paralympic World Athletics Championships, New Zealand January 2011

Micheal came in 13th place missing the final by one place with a PR of 4:18!
Michael is the first and only athlete with intellectual disability to be invited to travel with the US Paralympic Team to compete at an IPC World Championship.
Earlier this month Michael ran a blistering 2:03 800m to win a mixed class IPC World Championship warm-up meet.
Watch Michael compete in the 1500m T20 race on January 25 & final on January 28, 2011 at: ParalympicSport.TV.

2010 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals, Florida

1500m Mens T20 Classification 1st Place 4:21.48

2009 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, North Carolina

*4x800 Meter Relay Young Men 6th Place 8:02.01 Nashville Illusions
800 Meter Run Ambulatory Boys Disabled Exhibition Run 1st Place 2:06.44

Michael Murray is the first athlete with intellectual disability to represent Team USA at an IPC World Championship in over a decade.

2009 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Michigan

*1500m Run Young Men 17th Place 4:31.52
*800m Run Young Men 20th Place 2:04.31
*4x800m Relay Young Men 3rd Place 7:59.82 Nashville Illusions

2009 USATF Region#6 (TN, NC, SC) Championships, Tennessee

*1500m Run Young Men 4:24 (only top 3 were posted due to rain conditions)
*4x100m Relay Young Men 1st Place 8:08.95 National Illusions

2009 USATF Tennessee Association Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, Tennesse

*800m Run Young Men 4th Place 2:02.66 *1500m Run Young Men 3rd Place 4:29.39

Andy Miyares

withoutlimits — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:44:55 +0000

Hometown: Miami, Florida Main Sport: Swimming Andy has been swimming competitively in USA Swimming and Special Olympics since the age of 6. He has international experience including Special Olympics World Games and has held World Records for Down Syndrome swimmers. His is one of few US athletes with intellectual disability to have competed in the Paralympic S14 Class prior to the 10-year exclusion of athletes with intellectual disability from Paralympic competition from 2000-2009, and held several American records. Andy currently competes in US Masters Swimming (USMS) at the regional and national level and looks forward to competing in future INAS competitions with Athletes Without Limits.

News Coverage:

October 4, 2007: Special Olympics Bio Video, show on ABC's Good Morning America as: "Portrait of an Athlete: American Andy Miyares"

Steven Cuomo

withoutlimits — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:08:57 +0000

Hometown: Shirley, New York Main Sport: Cross Country, Track & Field Team: Rolling Thunder Bio coming shortly.

Results Highlights

2010 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals • 1500m Mens Run 2nd Place T20 Classification 2009 USATF Disability Cross Country Championships, New York • 5k Cross Country Run

Marcus Saunders

withoutlimits — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:17:28 +0000

[caption id="attachment_426" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Marcus Saunders (far right) with some of the other top 5k runners show off their national championship medals."][/caption] Hometown: Port Jefferson Station, New York Main Sport(s): Cross Country, Track & Field Team: Rolling Thunder Bio coming shortly.

Results Highlights

2010 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals, Florida • 1500m Mens Run 3rd Place T20 Classification 2009 USATF Disability Cross Country Championships, New York • 5k Cross Country Run

Two Psychologists Join Athletes Without Limits Staff

withoutlimits — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:27:37 +0000

January 15, 2011

DC-Area Psychologists Volunteer to Help Athletes with Intellectual Disability Qualify for Paralympics

Washington D.C.: Two area psychologists, Pamela Meek and Brady Haycock, joined Athletes Without Limits as National Eligibility Officers to assist in classifying athletes with intellectual disability for US teams. Athletes Without Limits is responsible for providing evidence of intellectual disability in order for athletes to represent the United States at Paralympic and other high-level competition, including the 2012 Paralympics. In addition to being top achievers in their sport, prospective athletes are required to complete an application process that provides evidence of psychological testing — including intellectual functioning (IQ) and Adaptive Behavior — and other requirements internationally recognized by INAS and the International Paralympic Committee. The National Eligibility Officers will review all US applications before they are passed on to INAS’s headquarters in England for international classification. Pamela Meek, Ph.D. has worked as a child psychologist for over 30 years providing therapy, consultation and psychological evaluations for children, families and schools. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychological Foundations in Education from the University of Florida and is licensed in Maryland. Dr. Meek currently conducts a private practice with two offices in Bethesda and Rockville (www.pamelameekphd.com) and is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). Brady Haycock, PsyD. currently works with students at the See Forever Foundation's Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools. She is a graduate of the Saint Elizabeth's Psychology Residency Program run by the D.C. Department of Mental Health, and is a licensed psychologist in the District of Columbia. In addition to being a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Brady is also an athlete and participates in running and other local events. With both doctors on board, Athletes Without Limits looks forward to achieving its goal of taking a US team of 20 strong the to the 2011 Global Games in Italy this September. To learn more about Athletes Without Limits visit www.athleteswithoutlimits.org. # # # Athletes Without Limits is a nonprofit whose mission is to identify, develop and support athletes with intellectual disability and athletic dreams of participating in high-level competition—including non-disabled mainstream sporting events—in the US and abroad. Athletes Without Limits is based in Washington, D.C. and is the US member of INAS, The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS), is an association of 87 countries that manages eligibility requirements for para-athletes with an intellectual disability and organizes 10-15 regional and world championship events yearly including the Global Games. INAS is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee which voted in 2009 to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition. Learn more at www.inas.org. For further information, please contact Jennifer Tetrick or Julie Holman at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or call 202-544-0510.

Michael Lautenberger

withoutlimits — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:25:50 +0000

Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland INAS Sport: Rowing Team(s): Athletes Without Limits Rowing Team Full bio coming shortly.

Bruce Worley

withoutlimits — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:27:15 +0000

Hometown: Columbia, Maryland INAS Sports: Track and Field, Rowing   Teams: Athletes Without Limits/DC Strokes Rowing Team Bruce Worley, 25, has been running since the age of 8. The word that best describes him is “persistence,” a philosophy which he has upheld all his life.  While still in elementary school, Bruce began running as part of a junior striders’ program. Although not the fastest runner, he kept up his practice, and grew to become an elite long-distance runner. Bruce has won several age group awards for running road races, and at age 19 won a medal for running a 16.2 mile event. While a junior in high school, he reached his goal of completing a marathon (26.2 miles.) He continues to run and compete in local races along with his brother Mark, also an athlete. Since high school, Bruce has participated in Special Olympics Track, Cross-Country, and Basketball and has won many Special Olympics medals at the county and state levels. Last year Bruce was chosen to lead the state Special Olympics torch delegation. In addition to running year-round, Bruce recently joined the Athletes Without Limits/DC Strokes Rowing Team, which will race and train from April-Nov 2011. Bruce works full time at the county hospital where he operates floor and carpet-cleaning equipment, a job which he has held now for over 3 years.

Result Highlights

Special Olympics Track Meet -May 1, 2011 3000m - 11:45 Clydes 10K April 17, 2011 10K - 44:35

Mark Worley

withoutlimits — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:28:11 +0000

Hometown: Columbia, Maryland INAS Sport: Track & Field, Rowing Teams: Athletes Without Limits/DC Strokes Rowing Team Mark Worley is a 25-year old athlete who lives life to the fullest, making the most of all his abilities. Sports are a focal part of his life. He was blessed with an identical twin brother, Bruce, who shares his interest in athletics, especially running. Mark started running at an early age, and built up his endurance to become a strong long distance runner. He and his brother competed against each other regularly, and were often seen in close competition together in Special Olympics meets, both at the county and state levels, and in many road races. In 2003, Mark competed in the Special Olympic World games in Ireland, winning a bronze medal in the 3000m event (in a time of 12:01). He has run numerous road races, including half-marathons and a Metric Marathon of 16.2 miles. Mark also successfully finished the Baltimore Marathon while still a junior in high school. In addition to running, Mark has developed skill in figure skating, a Special Olympic sport which he started in high school. He has won many medals, both in individual and pairs competitions (in both disabled and non-disabled events). Mark is currently employed full-time by the community hospital as a Linen Clerk where he stocks various types of linen. As a result of his job success, and other achievements in his life, Mark was recognized with the MACS (Maryland Association of Community Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities) award. Mark is also engaged in a service project with his church. In preparation for a trip to Appalachia in July to repair and construct houses, Mark received construction training and is now part of a work crew that fixes up property locally.

Results Highlights

3000 Meter Run, Charles County - Special Olympics 11:40
2010 Maryland Special Olympic State Games 5000m - 21:09
Run Through the Grapevine - November 7, 2010 8K - 40:00

Michael Murray to Compete in IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand

withoutlimits — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:54:38 +0000

[caption id="attachment_1921" align="alignright" width="291" caption="Michael Murray is the first athlete with intellectual disability to represent Team USA at the IPC Athletics World Championships January 2011. Watch live on January 25 & 27 at ParalympicSport.TV"][/caption] Michael represents the first U.S. athlete with intellectual disability to compete at a Paralympic World Championship in over a decade with hopes of making Team USA for the London 2012 Games.

Watch live online January 26 at 6:15pm Washington, D.C. – Athletes Without Limits, a nonprofit supporting athletes with intellectual disability and Olympic dreams, announced that history is in the making, as U.S. runner, Michael Murray, 19, prepares to compete for Team USA at the 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, January 22-30, 2011. Murray, who hails from Nashville, TN, is is the first and only athlete with intellectual disability currently represented on the U.S. Paralympic team, and is one of 18 men and 8 women in the world to qualify for the newly opened 1500m T20 classification. The event marks the first time in over a decade that athletes with intellectual disability will compete in a Paralympic World Championship. In a warm-up meet earlier this month at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Murray ran a blistering 2:03 800-meters to win a mixed-division race, putting him solidly in position as a T20 contender at the World Championships, and a hopeful for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. “We are proud to stand behind Michael Murray as he paves the way for athletes with intellectual disability in the U.S.,” said Barry Holman, President and co-founder of Athletes Without Limits. “Michael’s story is truly inspirational, as Michael has already accomplished what most non-disabled individuals couldn’t even dream of. With the ongoing support of his family, his teammates and coach, and the U.S. Paralympic Committee, Michael is truly making his dreams become a reality and proving that with tenacity and a lot of hard work, amazing things can happen.” In order to be on Team USA, an athlete had to qualify at the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Nationals in June 2010. With the vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability in Paralympic events taking place in November 2009, there was very little time for countries, and athletes, to understand rules and qualification procedures, and prepare for competition. Athletes Without Limits worked closely with athletes, their families, psychologists, and U.S. Paralympics staff to help get athletes through the process more easily and allow them to focus instead on training. Three athletes with intellectual disability participated at Nationals, and only one qualified – Michael Murray with an impressive 4:21 in the 1500m race. Murray, who has been running since age 9, has been racing with the Nashville Illusions Track Club coached by Andrew Reynolds since 2000, and is competitive against non-disabled athletes in regional and national USA Track & Field meets. Michael has overcome extraordinary challenges but finds running allows him to focus on what’s ahead and live his personal mantra: "It’s not how you start, but how you finish." Read more about Michael, including links to his bios, race highlights and event information at www.athleteswithoutlimits.org. ParalympicSport.TV will cover the IPC Athletics T20 1500m heat live January 26 at 6:20pm EST. Notes to Press: Athletes Without Limits, the US member of INAS, is a nonprofit whose mission is to identify, develop and support athletes with intellectual disability and dreams of participating in high-level competition—including non-disabled, mainstream sporting events—in the US and abroad. The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS), is a founding member and one of four disability-specific sports federations that make up the (IPC), the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is an international non-profit organization comprised of four disability sports federations and 167 National Paralympic Committees—including U.S. Paralympics — committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality. For more information contact Jennifer Tetrick or Julie Holman at 202-544-0510 or info@athleteswithoutlimits.org.

8th Annual GTAC Paralympic Swim Meet

withoutlimits — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:58:45 +0000

May 21-22, 2011 The University of Cincinnati Keating Aquatic Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Athletes Without Limits staff will attend this event to assist and coach athletes with intellectual disability interested in pursuing Paralympic Swimming opportunities. This page has been updated to reflect the information discussed in our March 31 informational conference call.

Host: The Greater Toledo Aquatic Club (International Paralympic Committee (IPC)-Swimming Approved; LCM/National Classification Available) Competition & Venue: The competition pool is an eight lane, 50 meter pool facility which is completely accessible. Seven lanes will be used for competition and one lane will be used for warm up / warm down during the meet. This long course meters competition shall be governed by the most recent International Paralympic Committee (IPC) swimming technical rules. Heat sheets will be sold. Each swimmer receives a complimentary shirt. Who Can Participate? Swimmers with any kind of disability are welcome (including athletes with intellectual disability) from the US or abroad. There are no qualification times and FIRST TIME as well as experienced swimmers are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Last year’s meet was very successful and saw many new swimmers come into this Paralympic sport. It is an excellent opportunity for both new and experienced swimmers, and each year, American and World records have been set.

Steps to Register

Download GTAC Registration Packet Updated for Athletes with Intellectual Disability

ELIGIBILITY If you've not completed the one-time eligibility application yet, please do so as soon as possible so your times will be official and you can start building your Paralympic "resume." A copy of the application is included in the GTAC Registration Packet.
HOTEL RESERVATION BY APRIL 20,2011 You'll want to reserve your hotel as early as possible by calling the Marriot Kingsgate Conference Hotel at 1-513-487-3800. The last day to get the special rate of $119 per night at the hotel is April 20, 2011. You can always cancel the reservation if things change so better to do this early.
EVENT REGISTRATION BY MAY 1, 2011 If you have access to Hy-Tek entries and want to send your forms directly to GTAC by May 7 using the instructions on the entry form that is fine. If you do not have access to Hytek, you can send all forms to Athletes Without Limits and we will submit them to the race organizers as a team to save each athlete having to pay the $30 extra fee. Send the entry forms and $75 check payable to GTAC to the address below by May 1 (so we can make the May 7 deadline) : Athletes Without Limits Attn: GTAC Meet 2000 M Street NW Suite 520 Washington DC 20036
MEDICATION Athletes may be subject to drug testing as at all Paralympic sanctioned events. Athletes taking any mediation that appears on the WADA banned substance list must obtain a Thereaputic Use Exemption form prior to the event. For more information refer to our Drug Testing & Medication page and contact Julie Holman at 202-544-0510.

Selecting your Events

There will be three timed finals sessions and athletes can swim in up to 4 events per session, See the event registration packet PDF for a list of all events.

Make sure to enter athletes in at least the 200 Freestyle, 100 Back and 100 Breast, because these are the 3 events they will have for athletes with intellectual disability at the 2012 Paralympics.
Include current times just so they know which heat to put athletes in — these do not have to be official or documented.
You can put "Athletes Without Limits" for the team name, or your hometown team, whichever the athlete prefers.

Travel & Accommodation

Arrival: Plan to arrive by Friday afternoon May 20 so you can check in and then meet up at the pool early afternoon/dinner time for a warm-up swim. Note athletes with intellectual disability do not have to make Friday Classification appointments at the meet — these are for athletes with physical disability. We will fly home Sunday late afternoon but departure is at the discretion of each family. Airport: The nearest airport is Cincinnati (CVG) 15 miles away. The meet host is not responsible for transportation to and from the airport. If you fly you will need to rent a car. What to Pack: We will try to provide Athletes Without Limits swim caps, but athletes should bring their own best race suit, goggles and bag, etc. Meet Hotel: Athletes and families should make their own hotel arrangements at the Marriott Kingsgate Conference Hotel, 151 Goodman Drive, Cincinnati OH 45219. 1-513-487-3800. $119/night, Greater Toledo Aquatic Club bloc. The hotel is less than ½ mile from the pool and we were able to walk to the competition and leave the car parked in the paid hotel lot, or pay to park at the Woodside Garage closer to the pool. This is graduation weekend at UC so be sure to reserve rooms before the cut-off for bloc rate: April 20, 2011. Parking: The Woodside Garage (off Martin Luther King Drive) will be used for parking. The cost is $1 for all day Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, the cost is $3 for the first ½ hour and $1 for each additional ½ hour. There is a drop off area adjacent to the pool. (See map below.) You can also leave your car in the Marriot Garage for a daily flat rate (@20$)

Contacts

Contact for Athletes with Intellectual Disability: Julie Holman, Athletes Without Limits, 202-544-0510, info@athleteswithoutlimits.org Athletes with other disabilities should refer to the event home page at: www.gtacswim.info.

Presidents Day Happy Hour!

withoutlimits — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 05:09:57 +0000

February 21, 2011 5-8pm Dirty Martini Put on your other 'goggles' and join us at Dirty Martini for a happy hour to support athletes with intellectual disability and dreams of making the 2012 US Paralympic Team. If you don't live in the DC area or can't make it, we hope you'll consider an online donation to support the athletes. Directions to Dirty Martini: 1219 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036 [map]

CRASHB Indoor Rowing Championships

withoutlimits — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:31:27 +0000

Test your strength on a 1,000m row; new since 2010 is a class for athletes with intellectual disability.

Date: Sunday, February 20, 2011 Location: Boston University’s Agganis Arena 925 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA Event: Will include adaptive categories (1,000m ergometer row) for athletes with physical and intellectual disability Organized by: Concept II Registration: Registration Deadline was February 6, 2011, however there is a day-of registration option on-site. There is a 1000m event for athletes with intellectual disability. Register online at http://www.crash-b.org/web/2011-regatta/ INAS Eligibility is not required but we'd love to hear from you if you are thinking of or plan on attending. Shoot us an email to info@athleteswithoutlimits.org. Crash B's are a great way to get reading for spring rowing. Hosted by Concept II (the company that makes those grueling rowing machines) this year's popular event will include an added class for athletes with intellectual disability. Athletes Without Limits cycling star Syd Lea will participate in the event again in 2011.

Syd Lea Wins CrashB Indoor Rowing Event

withoutlimits — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:37:07 +0000

Athletes Without Limits Syd Lea competed as part of the Capital Adaptive Rowing squad at the 2nd annual Adaptive Challenge at the C.R.A.S.H.-B Sprints in Boston February 21, 2011. The club team, which is comprised of athletes with physical or intellectual disability, brought home two hammer trophies: Syd Lea won 1st place in the Men's open intellectually disabled class and Claudia Perry won 1st place in the Women's LTA-V. Joe Tezak missed 3rd place in the Men's AS by 1.4 seconds (but maybe even better, he won a Concept2 erg in the adaptive athlete raffle!). Ardrena Bailey, in her first adaptive race ever, won 4th place in the women's TA, and her fiancé Vincent Narh, also in his first race, shaved 20 seconds of his previous personal best time in the men's AS. The remaining three athletes - Jason Beagle, Chuck Linderman, and Craig Clark - had great races in a very competitive LTA-P field. All the results are posted at: http://www.concept2.com/us/racing/crashb/crashb2011/results.asp For a pictures of the competition visit Row2K at http://www.row2k.com/gallery (the adaptive pictures start at page 5 of the 12:15 to 3:15 gallery). With all the bad weather affecting travel to Boston, the club is proud of their achievements and looks forward to fewer than 13 weeks until they can be on the river! To learn more about the Capitol Adaptive Rowing Club in Washington DC visit their website.

Michael Murray PR's with US Paralympic Team at IPC Athletics World Championships

withoutlimits — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:40:25 +0000

Related article: Michael Murray to Compete in IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand Congratulations to Michael Murray — the first American athlete with an intellectual disability to make the US Paralympic Team in over a decade — for his PR of 4:18 in the men's 1500m World Championship last month on Christchurch. Michael is currently ranked 13th in the world in the men's 1500m. He was 6th in his heat and missed out on the finals by one place. Here's what we saw on ParalympicTV: Through 3 laps Michael was comfortably with the leaders. With 300 to go he made a strong surge and moved up on the outside. Looks as though that cost him and he faded a bit (a la Prefontaine?) and got passed by a few guys down the home stretch. Nothing ventured, nothing gained though, right?! This excerpt from Notable Performances of the US Paralympic update shows real progress in athletes with intellectual disability being accepted at the highest level of sport:

"Michael Murray has provided the team with motivation and joy. It is a pleasure and honor to work with such a great young man. Michael (T20) may not have advanced but he ran a smart race and improved by over 3 seconds from his best 1500 time."

Watch the Men\'s T20 Final: Can any of our almost 2000 Facebook supporters run a sub 4:00 1500? Tell us your best time. If you don't know, hit the track to find out how you stack up. Watch the Women's T20 Final: An amazing performance by the silver medalist from Poland who loses her shoe in the first 100 meters, falls to last place and then roars back. Phenomenal perseverance.

USRowing Camp for Athletes with Intellectual Disability

withoutlimits — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:57:58 +0000

Dates: March 25-27, 2011 Location: Austin TX Download the PDF Flyer This 3-day Development Camp will help adult athletes with intellectual disabilities to increase their individual rowing technique; build rowing confidence; provide opportunities to row in a team boat; and learn the skills of competitive racing. The purpose of this Development Camp is to identify and select athletes with intellectual disabilities for the USA National Adaptive Rowing Team. Camp Fee is $150.00 per athlete for the 3-day Camp including intensive coaching & off-water activities. Host families will be available for housing for each athlete and their coach/mentor/chaperone (1 person max) during the Camp. No charge for chaperone to accompany athletes to attend this Camp. Chaperones will have opportunities to kayak/canoe while at the Development Camp & chaperones will be invited to attend some off-water Camp activities. **Athletes & chaperones attending this Camp will be responsible for their travel and meals. The Camp will be held on Friday, March 25, Saturday, March 26 and half-day on Sunday, March 27 in Austin, Texas on beautiful Lady Bird Lake at the Texas Rowing Center. Karen Lewis, National Adaptive Team Coach & other certified USRowing coaching staff will be working closely with athletes who attend this Camp. Five (5) on-water rowing sessions are planned, supplemented with other off-water activities. Travel notes: Arrival afternoon or early evening on Thursday, March 24th and departure no earlier than 2pm on Sunday, March 27th. To be included for selection to attend this Development Camp--athletes will have to submit the following information:

1000 meters erg score (4 minutes for men / 4:15 for women)
Evidence of fitness (submit current training + any competition results showing times and distances raced—any sport.
Evidence of being able to tread water for 5 minutes
Meet the Athletes Without Limits intellectual disability criteria

For more information, Contact: Diane McDiarmid at dianem@ku.edu

Free USA Swimming Clinic for Disabled Youth (under18)

withoutlimits — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:58:39 +0000

Note: Athletes Without Limits has no formal involvement in this event and INAS athlete eligibility paperwork is not necessary to participate. Date: Saturday, April 2, 2011 2:00-5:00 pm Location: Wave House Athletic Club, 3115 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109 http://www.wavehouseatheticclub.com Inside Belmont Park at Mission Boulevard and West Mission Bay Drive, on Mission Beach. Use the south parking lot. Who is Welcome? Swimmers with physical, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities aged 18 and younger. Must be able to swim at least one competitive swimming stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) proficiently for at least 75 yards Preference given to swimmers who practice regularly with a swim team. Registration: Download the flyer and registration form. The Swim Clinic: Improve your swimming speed and efficiency Receive a video analysis of your choice of two strokes Learn from a great group of coaches including:

Shawn Kornoelje, USA Head Men’s Coach at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens Greece
Alison Terry, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Past USA Swimming National Team Competitor
Alan Voisard, Challenged Athletes Foundation, coach of numerous Paralympians
Donald Watkinds, Wave House San Diego Swim Team, coach of numerous Paralympians
Several USA Swimming coaches from around the United States.
Meet Erin Popovich, world record holder and 3-time Paralympian, and Melanie Benn, 2-time Paralympian. Learn about their experiences and secrets to success.

The Coach Education Project: We want your permission to take photographs and video recordings of you while you participate in the swim clinic. We will use these images as part of a coach education presentation (webinar) that is designed to educate coaches about how to coach swimmers with a disability. You just need to be yourself, learn from the coaches at the clinic, and have fun! Cost: We are offering this swim clinic free of charge. Who is Conducting this Clinic? The clinic is a joint project by USA Swimming and the Challenged Athletes Foundation. The clinic director is Donald Watkinds, member of the USA Swimming Disability Committee, and Head Coach of the Wave House San Diego Swim Team Refer questions to Donald Watkinds at watkinds@aol.com or (619) 980-3278.

Athletes Without Limits Announces Diaa Nour as Newest Board Member

withoutlimits — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:56:27 +0000

[caption id="attachment_2671" align="alignright" width="121" caption="Athletes Without Limits newest board member Diaa Nour believes sport is an important way to balance health and career and be active in the community."][/caption] President of Tot Solutions offers business expertise, passion for sport, and global perspective to help athletes with intellectual disability realize their Olympic dreams. Washington, D.C. – March 7, 2011 – Athletes Without Limits, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping athletes with intellectual disability compete at their highest level, announced the selection of Mr. Diaa Nour, President of Tot Solutions, as its newest board member. Nour, who has been consulting for the organization since mid-2010, brings substantial business expertise and project leadership experience to the Board, and will help develop strategic business planning and support for Athletes Without Limits — the only organization of its kind in the United States.

“We are proud to select Diaa Nour as an Athletes Without Limits Board Member. Diaa’s business understanding, coupled with his passion for sports and for helping those around him will be a powerful addition to our leadership team," said Barry Holman, who co-founded the nonprofit in 2009. “He's a dynamic problem solver, and with the London 2012 Paralympics just around the corner, we look forward to working together to see athletes with intellectual disability on the US team for the first time in over a decade."

Nour has significant experience leading IT projects in both the public and private sectors – particularly in Africa and the Middle East, including Gabon, South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Egypt. Most recently he helped negotiate a grant for the government of Burkina Faso to install fiber links between all the Ministries. Currently, he is the Chief Project Manager for the Sofisat telephony project in Egypt – the largest public/private partnership in the history of the country. Nour graduated from the College of William and Mary with a dual B.A. in International Economics and International Relations. Raised in Cairo, Egypt and Lausanne, Switzerland, Nour is fluent in English, French, and Arabic and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

###

Athletes Without Limits, the US member of INAS, is a nonprofit whose mission is to identify, develop and support athletes with intellectual disability and dreams of participating in high-level competition—including non-disabled, mainstream sporting events and the Paralympics—in the US and abroad. The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS), is a founding member and one of four disability-specific sports federations that make up the (IPC), the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is an international non-profit organization comprised of four disability sports federations and 167 National Paralympic Committees—including U.S. Paralympics — committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality. For further information, please contact Jennifer Tetrick at jennifer@athleteswithoutlimits.org or call 202-544-0510.

2011 US Para Open Table Tennis

withoutlimits — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:09:44 +0000

(International Tournament – ITTF PTT, Factor 20 tournament) June 29 – July 3, 2011 Milwaukee, Wisconsin For more information visit: http://www.ipttc.org/calendar/index.htm

2011 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals

withoutlimits — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:25:03 +0000

June 16-19, 2011 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar, FL Open to all classes. Required for ParaPan Am Games Team Selection Event website: http://usparalympics.org/sports/summer-paralympic-sports/track-field/events Information for athletes with intellectual disability: There will be six events for athletes with intellectual disability (T20/F20).

T20 Mens & Women 1500m Run
F20 Mens & Women's shot put
F20 Mens & Women's Long Jump

Qualification times may be required and athletes must meet INAS eligibility, then obtain a 2011 IPC Athletics License ($25), a process managed by Athletes Without Limits. Please contact us if you are interested in competing as in the T20/F20 class for this event.

Athletes Without Limits, DC Strokes Launch  “America Rows” Program for Athletes with  Intellectual Disability and Paralympic Dreams

withoutlimits — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:45:47 +0000

A "water"breaking crew for athletes with intellectual disability

Washington, D.C. - May 17, 2011 - Athletes Without Limits Michael Lautenberger, Syd Lea, Bruce Worley and Mark Worley have begun training together with Wakefield High School rowers and their volunteer coxswain Reggie Worthington of DC Strokes on the new Athletes Without Limit Rowing Team. [caption id="attachment_2743" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Anacostia Community Boathouse and DCStrokes inclusive model is ideal for integrating athletes with intellectual disability into the mainstream rowing community."][/caption] The crew is being led by Patrick Johnson, US Rowing Coach and Owner/Head Coach of CrossFit Capitol Hill. Johnson has been instrumental in launching the first program of its kind in the United States. The program is made possible by a partnership between Athletes Without Limits, DC Strokes Rowing Club, the USRowing's America Rows Program and the Anacostia Community Boathouse Association (ACBA) in Washington DC. Of the four athletes, Michael Lautenberger has the most experience on the water having rowed with his high school team in Maryland. Syd Lea is also no stranger to the sport and is getting some help learning to transfer power from his cycling legs to the oar from father Rob Lea, a former Harvard, Pan-American and Olympic Rower. Practice consists of some dry-land training including running, which experienced long distance runners Bruce and Mark Worley handle with ease. The crew is learning to row on ergometers (rowing machines) and in sweep eight-man boats, sweep four-man boats and sculling pairs in preparation for an ambitious 2011 racing schedule. In addition to the teaching technique and the intricacy's of rowing in synch, Coach Johnson also emphasizes boathouse and waterway etiquette — the Wakefield High School rowers have been setting a great example in how to have fun while concentrating on precision and teamwork. The team trains out of the Anacostia Community Boathouse in Washington DC, which is dedicated to fostering safe and environmentally responsible recreation on the Anacostia River. The boathouse is located at 1900 M Street in Southeast Washington, DC which, according to Coach Johnson, is "the best rowing water in the city!" While the first official training session was in April 2011 and practice will continue every Thursday and Sunday to prepare for a several 2011 Regattas. The tentative 2011 racing season goes through November includes events where the athletes will be in a mixed boat competing with and against non-disabled rowers. While the first official training session was in April 2009, practice will continue every Thursday and Sunday to prepare for a several 2011 Regattas. The tentative 2011 racing season goes through November includes:

SPRINT RACE SEASON (1000K,1500K OR 2000K)

June 5 Stonewall Regatta Washington, DC

June 18 Schuylkill Navy Regatta Philadelphia, PA

June 25 Charm City Sprints Baltimore, MD

July 1-3 Independence Day Regatta Philadelphia, PA

July 9 Capital Sprints Washington, DC

August 20 Bayada National Adaptive Regatta Philadelphia, PA

HEAD RACE SEASON (2.5-2.8 MILES)

Sep 24 Head of the Potomac Washington, DC

(Sep 24-Oct 4 INAS GLOBAL GAMES Italy)

Oct 9 Occoquan Challenge Fairfax Station, VA

Oct 22-23 Head of the Charles Boston, MA

Oct 29 Head of the Schuylkill Philadelphia, PA

Nov 6 Head of the Occoquan Fairfax Station, VA

Why rowing? Why here? Why now?

Rowing embodies the ultimate in individual determination, teamwork and grace and is a promising new opportunity for the full integration of athletes with disability into mainstream sport culture. With strong support from FISA World Rowing, INAS International, and USRowing, indoor and on-water adaptive rowing is now a strong international priority. Part of this momentum comes from a new class for athletes with intellectual disability already part of some events and schedule to be incorporated into the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. That may seem a long time off but with little no formal development programs specific to the ID class, it is important to get rowers with intellectual disability as much training and regatta experience as possible to ensure the US will be ready to field a team. We'll also need to recruit some women as the Paralympic boat will be a mixed 4 (2men, 2women). There are other countries who already have programs in place — including Portugal, Russia, Hong Kong and Italy — with nationally ranked rowers whose sites are set on medals at the 2016 Games. With the startup of the Athletes Without Limits Rowing team and other events like the USRowing Camp for Athletes with Intellectual Disability held in Austin earlier this spring, we feel confident the US will one day be going head-to-head for Paralympic Gold.

Learn More

To learn more about rowing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability please visit the Rowing section of our website or contact us at info@athleteswithoutlimits.org or 202-544-5010.

Become a Sponsor

We are also looking for corporate sponsors to help us make history by developing athletes with intellectual disability for consideration for the first US National Team of rowers with intellectual disability to compete against non-disabled rowers in mainstream regattas and in the new ID class at the 2016 Paralympics. To learn more please contact Julie Holman at 202-544-5010. ### Athletes Without Limits is a 501(c)3 that helps Americans with intellectual disability reach their full potential & integrate into mainstream sport. Learn more at www.athleteswithoutlimits.org. DC Strokes Rowing Club - DCSRC - is committed to bridging gaps between communities by building an inclusive environment, fostering personal growth, and promoting the true spirit of sportsmanship. DCSRC programs offer opportunities for all rowers, regardless of experience level. Learn more at www.dcstrokes.org. All photos by John Worley.