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
2011 IPC Athletics (Track & Field) World Championships
January 15-31, 2010 : Christchurch, New Zealand A new class (T20) has been added to include athletes with intellectual disability!
read more2010 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships
June 18-20, 2010 : Miramar, Florida
read more5th INAS-FID World Cross Country Championships
March 4-8, 2010: Vac, Pest, Hungary
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2009
Athletes Without Limits’ Syd Lea Earns Silver at USA Track & Field Disability 5k Cross Country Meet
October 4, 2009: Athletes Without Limits staff met a talented group of distance runners on the beautiful waterfront cross country course. It was an opportunity to meet distance runners Steven Cuomo and Marcus Saunders.
read moreUSA Track & Field 5k Cross Country Disability Championships
October 4, 2009: Kings Park, New York
read more2009 Global Games Czech Republic
July 4-15, 2009: Liberec, Czech Republic - With the startup of Athletes Without Limits opportunities to compete at a high level in Cycling, Swimming, Track & Field, Rowing, Table Tennis and other sports are open to US athletes for the first time!
read moreRecruiting Athletes for First US Team to Compete at Global Games
March 1, 2009: Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented athletes with intellectual disability for new international opportunity to compete against top athletes in the World.
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Spring Break Training Camp
We’re hosting a Spring Break Rowing Camp for athletes with intellectual disability in Washington DC April 4-7, 2012. Train from the Anacostia Community Boathouse with our award-winning rowing team...
