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 andcontact 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.
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.)
Athletics News & Events
Athletes Without Limits Partners with Champion System Custom Apparel
October 26, 2011 – Athletes Without Limits has partnered with Champion System Worldwide Custom Technical Apparel, as official clothing supplier for 2011-2012. Athletes Without Limits works to help athletes with intellectual disability integrate and accelerate in sports and in life and together with Champion System will work to raise awareness and promote inclusiveness in sport for individuals of all abilities. In addition to supplying the technical gear for the 2011 Global Games Team USA athletes participating in cycling, rowing and...
read moreLea Leads Team USA with Two World Championship Gold Medals at Global Games in Italy
October 10, 2011 Washington, DC - Six elite athletes with intellectual disability represented the United States at the INAS Global Games World Championships in Italy from September 24 - October 3. Nearly 700 athletes from 40 countries competed in swimming, athletics, tennis, basketball, indoor soccer, cycling, and table tennis. The Global Games are a major preparatory competition for the London 2012 Paralympic Games where for the first time since 2000 people with intellectual disability will be compete in swimming, table tennis, and athletics.
read moreGlobal Games World Championships for Para-Athletes with Intellectual Disability Begins in Italy
September 29, 2011 Loano, Italy — The competition for the team of US athletes at the 2011 INAS/IPC Global Games in Liguria Italy began today when swimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert took to the water at Palasporte, the 50m outdoor competition pool in Loano, Italy.
read moreUS Athletes Without Limits Head to Italy for Global Games
September 1, 2011 – Athletes Without Limits, a nonprofit dedicated to helping athletes with intellectual disability integrate and accelerate in sport, is proud to announce a strong US National team for the 2011 INAS Global Games. The Games are the world championship for athletes with intellectual disability and a key qualifier in Swimming, Track & Field for London 2012 Paralympic Games. Athletes Without Limits will be leading a team of six athletes to Liguria, Italy, for the prestigious international event that takes place every 4 years...
read moreRunner Michael Murray Heads to Global Games with Help from Community Sponors
Private sponsorships from friends and local businesses keep Michaels Paralympic Dream alive as the he heads to the 2011 INAS/IPC Global Games in Imperia, Italy. Friends and family members of Michael Murray, the highest ranked track athlete with intellectual disability in the US, spearheaded a local fundraising campaign to help offset Michael’s out-of-pocket expenses for the 2011 Global Games in Italy. The Global Games is an important qualifier for the London 2012 Paralympics and Michael represents the best chance for a US runner to...
read more2011 Global Games World Championships Italy
September 30- October 4, 2011 - Athletes Without Limits will be taking the US Teams in Cycling, Track & Field, Swimming & Possibly Rowing to the 2011 Global Games in Ligura, Italy. The deadline to register has passed but the event guide provides information on what it takes to qualify for the World Championships in each sport.
read more2011 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals
June 16-19, 2011: Mirimar, FL - There will be a 1500m mens and womens, as well as some field events for athletes with intellectual disability (T20/F20).
read moreMichael Murray PR’s with US Paralympic Team at IPC Athletics World Championships
Michael is the first American athlete with an intellectual disability to make the US Paralympic Team in over a decade. Watch videos of the men's and women's exciting finals!
read moreMichael Murray to Compete in IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand
January 22-30, 2011: 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.
read moreT20 Class Now Open at US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals
For the first time in over a decade Paralympic opportunities are opening up for athletes with intellectual disability, starting with the men's 1500m for T20 (athletes with intellectual disability) at the upcoming 2010 US Paralympic Track & Field Nationals June 15-20, 2010 in Mirimar Florida.
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