Virtus Sport

Play True. Play Fair. Play Clean. 💚

On Play True Day, we celebrate the values of integrity, respect and fairness in sport. Together, we stand for clean sport and the athletes who choose to compete with honesty and pride.

Double medals, dominant wins and world-class racing.

From Cristiano Pereira’s standout performance to commanding victories across multiple categories, Day 1 of the Virtus World Road Championships set the tone for an exciting competition.

Anddi Portugal

Home Hero Pereira Headlines Opening Day with Gold and Bronze at Azores 2026 - VIRTUS The 2026 Virtus World Half Marathon and 10K Championships opened with an impressive display of endurance and international competition, as athletes across multiple classifications delivered high-quality performances on Day 1. In the II1 Women’s Half Marathon, Poland set the tone early with a domin...

Before inclusion became a movement, Nils-Peter Kling showed what was possible.

At the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Paralympics, the Swedish cross-country skier won gold in a demonstration event for athletes with an intellectual impairment, proving they belong on the Paralympic stage.

He returned four years later at the 1998 Winter Paralympics in Nagano, where the events were officially included, finishing 9th (5 km Classical), 8th (15 km Free), and 8th (20 km Classical) for Sweden.

More than 30 years later, athletes with an intellectual impairment are still waiting for their return to the Winter Paralympic Games.

As Virtus marks its 40th anniversary, we honour pioneers like Kling and remain committed to restoring a place where athletes with an intellectual impairment compete alongside athletes with physical and visual impairments as equal members of the Paralympic Movement.

Read full story: https://virtus.sport/nils-peter-kling-a-pioneer-of-winter-paralympic-inclusion

Nils-Peter Kling: A Pioneer of Winter Paralympic Inclusion - VIRTUS When Nils-Peter Kling crossed the finish line at the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer, he did more than complete a race – gold in cross-country skiing in the category for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Although it was a demonstration event, the victory showed the world that athlet...

Today is World Down Syndrome Day, and we are celebrating two remarkable athletes who have achieved outstanding success in international sport.

Minke Janse van Rensburg (South Africa) made history in swimming at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships in Bangkok, where she broke seven world records in the II2 classification and won multiple gold medals.

Hugo Taheny (Australia) excelled in athletics, breaking world records in the II2 shot put and discus events at the 2023 Virtus Global Games.

As Virtus celebrates 40 years anniversary, their achievements highlight the incredible potential of athletes with an intellectual impairment with significant other impairment, like Down syndrome, and the importance of providing the right support and platform are provided to them to showcase their amazing skills.

Down Syndrome International

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with Minke Rensburg and Hugo Taheny’s Record-Breaking Rise - VIRTUS As the global community marks World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the power of sport to transform lives through the remarkable journey of two iconic athletes with Down syndrome who have inspired millions around the world. Minke Janse van Rensburg – rising star from South Africa Minke, a young So...