Eligibility Application for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment
Visit our U.S. Virtus Eligibility Lists by Sport
Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport (formerly called Inas) is the governing body for para-athletes with an intellectual impairment and a member of the International Paralympic Committee. Virtus Eligibility is for athletes interested in competing with AWL US Teams at Virtus Competition. Virtus Eligibility is also the first step for athletes looking to pursue Paralympic opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
As the U.S. Member of Virtus, Athletes Without Limits (AWL) manages this process for US athletes.
NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION
National Level eligibility is required for:
- Athletes Without Limits-Hosted US Events (All three Virtus II2, Virtus II3 Groups)
- Developmental U.S. Paralympic Swimming or Track & Field events that only require “National Classification” (Virtus II1 – IQ 75 or lower only)
- Other developmental US events that use Paralympic Classification such as Move United events, Michigan High School State Swim Meets, etc. (Virtus II1 – IQ 75 or lower only)
Steps to Apply for National Level eligibility:
- Download Athlete Eligibility Application and complete National Level checklist
- Once we receive your application, headshot and evidence of disability we will email you an invoice for the $50 Application Fee.
- We’ll email an eligibility determination or request further information.Eligible athletes will be added to Athlete Without Limits US Master List. Eligibility does not expire; the time it takes depends on the information provided as evidence.
INTERNATIONAL ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION
International Level eligibility is required for:
- Athletes who qualify to travel with Athletes Without Limits to Virtus World Championships, and Virtus Global Games. (All three Virtus II2, Virtus II3 Groups)
- Athletes who meet Emerging Times and/or qualify for higher-level Paralympic events for which IPC-Licensing and International Classification appointments are needed. Read our Paralympic Eligibility page for more details. (Virtus II-1 – IQ 75 or lower only)
- “WR4GD” Pass in Golf for select EDGA events (II-1, II-2, II-3) or USGA events (Virtus II-1 only)
- USAT & World Taekwondo “P20” class (Virtus II-1 – IQ 75 or lower only)
- USA Karate & World Karate Federation (WKF) events (Virtus II-1 & Virtus II-2)
Steps to Apply for International Level eligibility:
- Download the Athlete Eligibility Application
and complete the International Level checklist. - Once we receive your Application, Headshot, Proof of Identity (Passport or State ID), and all required Evidence of Disability we will email you an invoice for the $150 Application Fee.
- Once an International application is reviewed and endorsed by Athletes Without Limits and our U.S. National Eligibility Psychologist, we’ll send it on to the Virtus International Eligibility Committee for International confirmation. The time it takes depends on the information provided as evidence. (Some athletes may need to obtain newer IQ and Adaptive assessments depending on the date of their most recent reports.)
- Once confirmed athletes are assigned a Virtus Athlete Eligibility Number. Eligible athletes are added to both Athletes Without Limits US Master List and the Virtus International Master List. Eligibility does not expire but can take 1-3 months or longer depending on the information provided as evidence and whether or not any additional diagnostic testing needs to be scheduled with the athlete’s psychologist.
- AFTER THE ATHLETE IS CONFIRMED ELIGIBLE we will ask you to have the Athletes Coach complete the required Virtus Coaches Survey (TSAL). (The survey is not time-sensitive and does not affect eligibility decisions so can be completed after eligibility is confirmed.)
Swimming Coach’s Survey
Track & Field Coach’s Survey
Coach’s Survey for All Other Sports
GUIDE FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS:
Some athletes may not already have the exact testing needed for International-level eligibility. If the athlete requires new testing we’ve created this Guide for Psychologists you can provide the athlete’s psychologist to ensure the appropriate assessments are given.
MEDICATION NOTE:
Occasionally athletes entering events that enforce anti-doping may require a medication found on the WADA Prohibited Drug List. If that is the case you may need to apply for permission to taking the medication while competing — this is called a Therapeutic Drug Use Exemption or (TUE). Learn more about the Virtus anti-doping policy on our Drug Testing & Medication page.