Page 1 ISMWSFNEWS No. 1

September 2002 MISSION STATEMENT

To foster and encourage the development and self-determination of athletes in wheelchair sport internationally from grass roots to elite level in a spirit of friendship, unity and sportsmanship.

Message from the President

ear Friends ductive and positive group D I am pleased to take the opportunity provided by this under the able and dynamic new layout and edition of ISMWSF News to inform you that leadership of President Philip ISMWSF continues the tradition of unity, friendship and Craven, as well as the oppor- sportsmanship in this, the 50th year of leadership in interna- tunity to contribute to the tional wheelchair sport as established at Stoke Mandeville. aims and objectives of the very first strategic review of Following our General Assembly in April of this year, our that organisation. new Executive examined the Federation through a SWOT analysis, which in conjunction with the previously approved The broader initiatives im- Paul DePace, ISMWSF Development Plan, will provide the framework for pacting on global sport has President our activities over the coming period. involved us in the review and comment to the first draft of ISMWSF has a serious and important commitment to the the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), bringing to their continued recruitment and nurture at international level of attention the specific challenges and needs of the wheel- athletes and sports personnel specific to our constituency, and chair sport constituency. also to the valuable role we play in partnership with IPC. The challenges integral to this commitment lie in maintaining and My current objectives are firmly focused, as the nations strengthening the dedicated and steadfast volunteer expert have mandated, on achieving amalgamation with ISOD, support system and building on the professional staffing base through a series of joint activities and programmes, and a to deliver services. consolidated action plan for a fused and single organisation. We are presently awaiting news from ISOD in this respect, In the four short months, since I had the privilege to be and look forward to the ability to report further progress in elected President, we are making inroads into consolidating the next newsletter. ISMWSF’s programmes and activities over the coming years. We have set as a the need to improve our relation- As always, our door remains open to comment, suggestion ships with the other International Sports Organisations for the and support from our readers (contact details can be found Disabled and will continue to expand our collaboration and at the end of the newsletter). Please do not hesitate to make contribution to IPC activities at all levels. As ISMWSF repre- your views felt to Maura or me or to any member of your sentative on the IPC Executive Committee, I have truly en- dedicated, hardworking Executive. Your views are essential joyed the stimulating experience of involvement with a pro- to the continued growth and improvement of our organisa- tion.

THANK YOU ISMWSF wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the continued support of the following:

Ludwig Guttmann Paraplegic Sports Foundation DHL Worldwide Express Fédération Française Handisport Mrs Nakamura Mrs Caroline Neuff Phil Garner Page 2 Secretary General’s Up-date

We are still celebrating our the Organising Committee in Christchurch, New Zealand for the 50th year and sharing the occa- 2003 World Games. Regular consultation has taken place with sion with the ISMWSF family ISMWSF’s new Executive Committee members through their and beyond. Along with other induction period, discussing job descriptions and developing De- members of the 50th Anniver- partment Action Plans. With positive drive and commitment, we sary Committee, I have been are addressing ISMWSF programmes and services to ensure best delighted to take as many op- practice and delivery to the nations and their athletes. Maura Strange Secretary General portunities as possible to publi- Graham and Kathy Condon visited the Secretariat during the cise ISMWSF achievement. It month of July. Graham and Kathy are dedicated workers in sup- has been with pleasure therefore that I took up invitations to port of disability sport in New Zealand and members of the Or- several of our key competitions as well as at Congresses to ganising Committee for the ISMWSF World Games in 2003. We promote ISMWSF and its history. I have also written several spent a pleasant couple of hours talking about Games prepara- articles for publication around the world. Thank you in par- tion and the developments within disability sport. The Stoke ticular, Australia, Chinese Taipei, , , , Mandeville site being under extensive renovation and construc- , and the IPC for your support and promotion tion work, prompted fun recollections of past International of this milestone. Press packs are still available and can be Games. forwarded to interested parties. I was also pleased to welcome Mr Jacques Limkee, President of The summer months have provided us all with a magnificent the Physically Handicapped Persons Sports Federation of Mauri- showcase of sport spectaculars, including the World Cham- tius, who dropped into the Secretariat upon his return from the pionships for Wheelchair , Wheelchair Rugby, Commonwealth Games. Mr Limkee provided ISMWSF with Shooting, Athletics, Cycling, Table Tennis, Powerlifting and some background to the activities within Mauritius and informed Basketball, as well as the Commonwealth Games to name us of the opportunity being provided for athletes with a disability but a few. at the Jeux des Iles de l’Ocean Indien being held in Mauritius in A short stay by Lake Garda in Italy in May, where I pre- August 2003. With the objective of providing athletes with sented a paper on Fencing and Disability, also took in the greater opportunity for success at these Games and other events, first days of the Fencing in Lonato. It is my third Mr Limkee is aiming to generate more funds for the purchase of visit to this welcoming town and the great company of our track wheelchairs and is seeking support of the international hosts Laura Chimini and Paolo Magnoni, who continue to community to achieve this. If you are able to assist in any way, amaze me with their energy and dedication at local, national please do not hesitate to contact Mr Limkee on: handi. and international level. Please check the articles on Fencing [email protected] for further detail. My first trip to Chinese Taipei took place in August at the kind On leaving Lonato, I went immediately to Sweden, where I invitation of Dr Lee Chen Lou and Mr Lai Fou Hwan. This en- had the privilege to attend the Wheelchair Rugby World abled me to enjoy the IPC World Table Tennis Championships Championships in Gothenburg, and to watch an incredibly and participate in the IPC Table Tennis Assembly. It is a credit fascinating build up to the finals. The event was superbly to the Organising Committee and the ITTC Executive members organised and our congratulations are extended to Magnus that the Championships were so ably run. We were treated to a Gunnarsson and his team for all their hard work. Be sure to great display of table tennis at the elite level from the players of read the interesting article on the Championships included over 40 nations in attendance. The Sports Assembly gave all within this newsletter. Although I was unable to stay the stakeholders the opportunity to vote on key issues, with classifi- whole period, my time there was busy and very interesting, cation the main item for deliberation. A new functional system taking in also the Wheelchair Rugby Sport Assembly, where for standing players progressing through classes 6 to 11 was nations received the reports and recommendations of the welcomed by the Assembly delegates, but whilst the principle outgoing Executive Officers and elections were held for a for review of sitting classes 1 to 5 was upheld, the amalgamation new Committee. The new Executive Officers for the sport of classes 4 and 5 was deferred for re-consideration after Athens have been industrious since their appointments, focusing on 2004. ISMWSF recommended the implementation of minimal a planning document for the next 4 years and arrangements disability statements applicable to both wheelchair and standing for Regional Championships 2003. An up-date article on classes in support of ongoing development and review of the Wheelchair Rugby programmes and activities will be in- classification system. cluded in our next issue. Space is short to be able to convey the many activities in which Back in the Secretariat at Stoke Mandeville, I have been ISMWSF is involved on a day-to-day basis within this issue, but concentrating on the ISMWSF Development Project for the we hope that you enjoy the articles included and we aim to keep Central Americas, being undertaken in concert with the IPC you all informed through regular publication of the ISMWSF Americas Region, as well as continuing Games liaison with News—so keep a watch for future issues. Page 3

ISMWSF Celebrates 50 Years of International Wheelchair Sport A Jubilee of Achievement

The following is an abridged version of articles written by Maura Strange (Secretary General ISMWSF) and Joan Scruton (former Secretary General ISMWSF). In an era marked by the successes of the Paralympic Games, the 50 year milestone achieved by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) marks a period of reflection for the contributions made to the move- ment. Through 50 years, the ISMWSF has tangibly demonstrated the value of an International Readers will be interested to Federation in supporting the growth and development of national programmes throughout know that Joan Scruton, the world. It led the way in organising and coordinating international multi-sport competi- after suffering a brain tion before the advent of the IPC and played its part in contributing to the establishment of haemorrhage shortly after other IOSDs and independent disability sport specific Federations. It is therefore, timely that collaborating on this article we should pause to recall those historic beginnings, which led to the first Paralympic Games in April of this year, is now in Rome 1960 and the present day Paralympic movement. being cared for in a local Nursing Home. In 1944, when Dr Guttmann was asked by the British Government to set up a spinal injuries centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital to handle the many spinal cord injured casualties from World War II, he introduced sport as a means of treatment and rehabilitation, leading him to found the first annual Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 with just two teams of paralysed archers. The Games rapidly ex- panded to bring in patients and ex-patients from other spinal units in Great Britain and to include other sports disciplines. In 1952, a team of Dutch paraplegic war veteran archers competed at Stoke Mandeville, thus introducing the first International Stoke Mandeville Games. One year later, those from , Finland, France and Israel joined the Dutch team. At the Stoke Mandeville Games prize giving ceremony in 1949, Dr. Guttmann had predicted a future when the meeting would be truly international and the Stoke Mandeville Games would achieve world-wide fame as the disabled men and women’s equivalent of the Olympic Games. Under his dynamism and leadership, 1952 saw the first prediction come true, and just eight years later, in 1960, the International Stoke Mandeville Games went to Rome and the Paralympic movement was born. Successive generations of elite wheelchair athletes from many nations have passed through the portals of the International Stoke Mandeville Games. Fame, prestige and honours have acknowledged their achievements and brought a wider awareness of sporting ability to the world at large, a growth of sport specific infrastructures in support of their aims, and established them as role models for the future athletes to emulate. Whilst the Games remained a cornerstone of the Federation’s programmes, the change in emphasis of the ISMWSF sports’ objectives was reflected in a name change from the International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation to ISMWSF in 1989. At this time, the Federation’s operational focus broadened to encompass both sport specific and event development and management. Having had the fortune to enjoy a volunteer full-time Secretariat facility from its inception, the Federation, un- der the leadership of Dr John Grant, recognised the concrete benefit of converting this into a staffed base and achieving in- corporated charitable status. This move was finalised in 1992, providing the Federation with stability and continuity of cen- tralised communications and coordination of operations, echoing the demands for increased professionalism and improved support for sport specific objectives. In addition to regular operations, ISMWSF maintained its support and contribution towards the growth and impact of the Paralympic Games throughout the years. In the period of ICC (International Coordinating Committee), the ISMWSF Secre- tariat also provided services as the ICC Secretariat, and the ISMWSF sports developed systems, procedures and functional classifications in preparation for Seoul (1988) through to Barcelona (1992) Paralympic Games, and the emergence of the IPC in 1993. To keep pace with the growth in wheelchair sport participation within the member nations, the ISMWSF has undergone intense re-evaluation and analysis of its role and responsibilities in the past 10 years, restructuring as a means to manage its resources effectively, giving emphasis to the support of sport specific infrastructures and management. The Federation deter- mines its key responsibilities as cooperation and creation of partnerships within the expanding world of sport to ensure shar- ing resources, expertise and communications and the development of a stronger and healthier network of opportunities for athletes from grass roots to elite. Today’s Paralympic athletes have essentially emerged out of the programmes established and operated by the International Sports Organisations for the Disabled (IOSDs) and their development initiatives. A closer cooperation with other IOSDs and International Disability Sports Federations, a consolidation of common activities and re- gional growth are seen as important and reinforcing steps to be incorporated in strategic planning. It its golden jubilee year, the Federation’s commitment to the recruitment and nurture of sport and athletes in the spirit of “friendship, unity and sportsmanship” has not diminished, and re-emphasises the ISMWSF motto established 50 years ago. Page 4 Sports Activities

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WHEELCHAIR RUGBY 2002—GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN by Magnus Gunnarsson, Chairman Organising Committee Following approval from ISMWSF/IWRF of our Bid, presented in Sydney during the Paralympic Games 2000, we had eight- een months of hard work in front of us trying to be ready for this big event to take place, towards the end of May 2002. The OC was very happy about the co-operation and great support from sponsors, supporters of Wheelchair Rugby on differ- ent levels, from the big international federations (ISMWSF & IWRF) to small local organisations and the City of Gothenburg with their partners. I also have to emphasise that the whole arrangement would have been impossible without all the hard work and dedication from volunteers and officials. After all the hard work with the preparations, I guess we were all very excited when the day of arrival (May 24) was real! All twelve participating teams, their staff, as well as the Delegates of different organisations and officials were all staying in the same hotel—Gothia Towers. The transport people did a tremendous job with all the people, wheelchairs and luggage to be picked up at the airport. Luckily, the Sports Arena was situated quite close to the hotel, so everyone could easily arrange for their own transport between the hotel and gym. After team arrival, three days were spent on practising, classification and meetings such as Referee and Team meetings, IWRF AGM and other informal meetings. Finally, on Tuesday, 28 May the Opening Ceremony was held and the first thrilling game between the World Champions, USA and the home nation Sweden, started a long sequence of exciting games! Sweden had a weak start and seemed to be nervous and even if their performance improved, they lost by 38-31.A lot of excellent and thrilling rugby games were played over the rest of the week, in total 36 games. A few of the teams showed a lot of progress and development in their perform- ance. For example, Belgium, who ended up in 4th place with only 7 players in the team!! The Japanese team showed another impressive performance. However, they may need some more tactics added to their great speed and fighting spirit. Unfortu- nately, some other teams had difficulties in reaching their “normal levels” - Sweden and New Zealand. Both teams lost two positions in the World Ranking List after the event. If you compare the pre-game ranking list with the final standing, all twelve teams ended up in different positions. Everyone involved in Wheelchair Rugby loves to see a close game and already in their first battle, USA and Canada had a very close and tactical game, with Team Canada finally leaving the court as the winners (22-23). When the Final Game took place on Sunday, June 1st, the “old enemies” tried to defeat each other once again. The spectators followed another extremely close and thrilling game. With less than one minute to go and 24-24, Team USA had the ball in the Canadian zone, but instead of an American goal in the last seconds, we saw a turnover with opposite roles for the teams, with USA chasing and Canada dribbling and making the final score 25- 24! Everyone watching their two games had to admit that the Canadian Team really showed us, and above all their competitors early in the tour- nament, that they wanted to become the new World Champions and so they did!! My congratulations once again. After the Prize Giving and Closing Ceremonies, I felt a mixture of re- lief, happiness and gratitude to everyone involved. A few hours later at the Banquette, everyone involved in the Games were present and a lot of speeches and presentation were made. Pawel Zbieranowski, the Former President of IWRF, was recognised for his tremendous work in the spirit of our sport over the last 25 years! Team Canada celebrate victory in style!!

FINAL STANDINGS: 1. Canada 4. Belgium 7. Sweden 10 Netherlands 2. USA 5. Great Britain 8. Japan 11. Switzerland 3. Australia 6. New Zealand 9. 12. Page 5

NEW IWRF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

During the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships 2002, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) held its AGM and the following Members were elected to serve on the Executive Committee:

Brad Mikkelsen, USA -Acting President/Zonal Americas* Coen Vuijk, NED -Development Commissioner Cathy Cadieux, CAN -Vice President, Finance Pierre Genyn, BEL - Zonal Europe* Ken Sowden, NZ -Vice President, Communications/Zonal Oceania* Denise Anderson, USA -Classification Commissioner Eron Main, CAN -Competitions Commissioner Tony Lapolla, CAN -Technical Commissioner

* Zonal Chairmen elected at Sydney 2000

Judy Zelman CAN - appointed by new EC to act as Secretary

WHEELCHAIR FENCING

WORLD CUP FENCING—WARSAW, - JULY 2002 By Andrezej Gryglewicz and Tadeusz Nowicki

2002 is the golden anniversary of the first international sports championships for people in wheelchairs. The International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) included the “Szabla Kilińskiego” (Kiliński’s ), which took place in Warsaw, Poland—July 12 to 14 2002 in the world celebrations of this anniversary. The anniversary nature of this tournament and the high level of sports significance, resulted in the fact that the Warsaw Marriott Hotel hosted the top wheel- chair fencers in the world. Almost 100 contestants from 14 countries participated in the rivalry for the “Kiliński’s Sabre”. The contestants fought their duels with three weapons: the sabre, the épée and the in categories A and B male and female. A total of 10 separate competitions were held.

The contestants from Poland represented the largest team, which has dominated the world of for five years. Strong and large teams also came from , Kuwait, France, USA, and . The medal positions were battled over by the con- testants from these countries. The arrival in Poland of the 10 person contingent from came as a surprise, for these contestants, the tournament in Poland was their first important event outside of Asia in which they have participated. The young Chinese contestants did not gain any great success in the Warsaw competition, but in the opinion of the observers, they represented significant po- tential and we can be almost certain that they will shortly join the rivalry for medal positions.

The host team proved to be the best in the general classification of the “Szabla Kilińskiego” . The Poles won as many as six of the ten contests. Contestants from Hong Kong were also strong, winning three gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Hungary took fourth place winning four silver and two bronze medals and will certainly consider their par- ticipation in the Warsaw event as a great success. France, which was the best team in the world three years ago, came fifth showing how rapidly changes are taking place among the leading fencers and how quickly it is possible to lose or gain a lead- ing position.

We would add that a wonderful sporting atmosphere was associated with the competitions taking place in the beautiful ball- room of the Marriott Hotel. Groups of contestants, trainers and supporters gathered around eight fencing floors, urging on the fencers in their battles with their cheers and applause.

“Szabla Kilińskiego” was organised by Integracyjny Klub Sportowy (the Integrative Sports Club). The club’s efforts re- sulted in the attraction of important partners who helped considerably in organising July’s event. These were primarily the Marriott Hotel, 3M Poland, Whirlpool Polska Ltd. and Fortis Bank.

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The World Cup in Wheelchair Fencing is an important sporting event. The large investment of the Poles pleased us im- mensely. But this is not all that is important. This competition has a much larger dimension and greater significance to our environment. This is yet another occasion to change ideas about disability, to break down the stereotypes, to fight discrimina- tion and lack of tolerance. The expression of the intention of the Tournament organisers is the slogan with “Szabla Kilińs- kiego” - “shortening the distance”, about which so much was heard during the competition playoffs. This slogan is doubly important. For us its non-sporting implications are more important that the sports meaning, reflecting the shortening of the distance between the able- bodied and people with disabilities on the road to full integration. At this point, it is worth citing an extract of the implications presented to the competitors by the famous Polish author, Ryszard Kapuściński: “The more culturally developed a society, the more it is a citizen’s society and the more it understands and makes greater efforts in the process of integration of the whole of society. The citizen’s society for which we are fighting, which we would like to create, is a society of integrated people, which does not introduce any divides”.

WORLD CUP FENCING—LONATO, ITALY - MAY 2002 By Laura Chimini, On the 25 and 26 May 2002, the International Wheelchair Fencing World Cup took place in Lonato, Italy, organised as before through the collabo- ration of Laura Chimini and Paolo Magnoni, President and Vice President respectively of the Associazione Villa Dei Colli Lonato O.N.L.U.S.— which as in the past, succeeded in making the event a success from the point of view of “Friendship, Unity and Sportsmanship”.

The competition, although of an extremely high level from the point of view of athletic skill, suffered from the loss of wheelchair fencers from Japan, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Spain, probably due to the proximity of other important and valid qualification events. However, fencers from 11 nations were present—Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, USA and for the first time, Switzerland.

All this without uproar and fuss, with humility and at the same time, tenacity of the operating characteristics of Laura Chimini and Paolo Magnoni. In addition, the authoritive and able presence of the IWFC representatives, Brian Dickinson and Vittorio Loi, was put in place so that any small indiscretions were quickly resolved, thus giving their significant contri- bution so that this event could continue and improve in the coming years in the exclusive interests of the sport.

The Organisers expressed great satisfaction with the repeated achievements and expressions of thanks: during the closing ceremony dinner the 50 year anniversary of ISMWSF was celebrated—the Associazione Villa Dei Colli Lonato O.N.L.U. S. was given the Silver medal for the organisation of the tournament by the President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and finally, but none the less important, the competition had the honour of the presence of Don Antonio Mazzi, President of the “Exodus Communita”, a rehabilitation organisation, highly honoured at national level. A particular thank you for the success of the tournament must be given to the young people from the “Exodus Communita” of Lonato, led with passion by Sergio Moure, who has for many years collaborated with the Associazione Villa Dei Colli Lonato O.N.L. U.S. the testimony of which is shown in the growth of sport and the assistance of many types of disabilities, also to the lo- cal section of the Alpini in Congedo and to the students of the School of Hotel Management in Desenzano de Garda.

The competition was preceded by the first International Congress entitled “Scherma, Disabilita e…. (Fencing, Disability and …). Scientific responsibility for this congress was held by Dott. Giovanni Lodetti (Secretary APIIS), who registered amongst others, the quality of presentations by Maura Strange Secretary General ISMWSF, Brian Dickinson and Vittorio Loi , members of IWFC Executive Committee, André Hennaert, President of the French Commission Fédéral Escrime Handisport, the many medalled Italian Fencer, Ernesto Lerre as well as the Polish Team Manager, Andrzej Gryglewicz, who unfortunately due to an unforeseen delay at the airport, was not able to make his presentation in person, so his speech was read by the students of the Language School “Bagatta” from Di Desenzano del Garda, who had provided simultaneous translation during the Congress in French and English. Page 7 WORLD GAMES 2003 Christchurch, New Zealand - October 25—November 1st

During the ISMWSF General As- and there will be opportunity for sports For more details on the sembly in Paris, France, April 2002, to put on pre-Paralympic qualifying World Games 2003, please Maura Strange, Secretary General/ competition. ISMWSF and IPC sports contact Neil Blanchfield on: Executive Director announced the have committed to the programme. [email protected] award of bid for the next World We all look forward to this event, Games 2003 to Christchurch, New which we are sure will turn out to be Zealand. just as spectacular as the previous The Games programme will include: Games held in Christchurch in 1999. Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Cue The ISMWSF and the Organising Com- Sports, Cycling/Handcycling, Fenc- mittee for the Games invites your na- ing, Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting, tion’s athletes to the beautiful city of Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis Christchurch and to partake in an excel- and Wheelchair Rugby. Attendance lent sporting event. is anticipated at 750-1000 athletes

Other Sporting News………..

BY CHRIS BOURNE, 2001 WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPION, HAND CYCLE DIVISION Are you an athlete with a disability who take measures to ensure that those with a considering the inclusion of this sport in is looking for a challenging new sport to disability are provided with the opportu- the 2008 Paralympic Games. get into? Do you crave an activity that is nity to participate, the number of Cana- Race distances vary, making it a great very inclusionary and social? Are you dian triathletes with a disability vying sport for beginners to hardcore endur- looking to broaden your training and for a spot on the national team is stead- ance athletes. ‘Try a tri’ races are ideal become a more ‘well rounded’ athlete? ily increasing. As demonstrated by the for those wanting to get their feet wet. With its inclusion in the 2000 Olympic two gold's and one silver medal that Ca- Typically this consists of a 400-metre Games, triathlon is a ‘sexy’ sport whose swim, a 10-kilometre bike/hand cycle popularity is growing rapidly, and one segment and a 2.5 kilometre run or that is ideal for athletes with a disability. wheel in a racing chair. The legs for These days there are thousands of ath- sprint distance races are about twice as letes with a disability who are participat- long, Olympic distance is ing in road racing, track meets, bicycle 1500M/40K/10K, and the Ironman con- races, hand cycle events and swimming sists of a gruelling 3800M swim, 180K competitions. The nature of triathlon ride and 42K run. For the ultra-serious makes an excellent sport for those who (some may say ultra-sadistic), event pro- want to get involved in an activity that moters now organise ‘Double Ironman’ combines the excitement of these disci- races which require participants to com- plines and tests the sport specific skills plete race segments which are twice the of each one of them. Ironman distance. Distances for duath- Participants of all shapes , sizes and lons (run/bike/run) also vary. abilities are attracted to triathlon. In re- For more information about how you cent years triathlon has been gaining can become involved in duathlon or tri- popularity among individuals with dif- athlon, contact Triathlon Canada at +1 ferent types of disabilities and at 2001 Orillia 2001 905 820 1678 or by email at World Triathlon Championships there [email protected] was a larger-than-ever field of physi- nadian athletes with a disability claimed cally challenged athletes who qualified at the World Championships, we are a and took part in the event in Edmonton, force to be reckoned with on the interna- Canada. As Triathlon Canada, its pro- tional triathlon scene. Presently, the In- vincial counterparts and race organisers ternational Paralympic Committee is Page 8

Up-coming Major Sporting Events

DATE EVENT VENUE 2002 October 20 22nd Oita International Wheelchair Marathon Oita, Japan October 26 - Nov 1 The 8th FESPIC Games Pusan 2002 Seoul, Korea Nov 4 - 6 Regional Championships Wheelchair Fencing (ROW) Austin, Texas, USA Nov 7 - 10 Fencing World Cup Austin, Texas, USA 2003 March 24 - 31 European Championships Wheelchair Rugby Belgium June 28 - July 7 European Fencing Championships Paris, France July/September Oceania Championships Wheelchair Rugby Japan or South Africa TBC October 25 - Nov 1 World Games 2003 New Zealand Christchurch, New Zealand

Member Country News

NEW MEMBERS…. and administrators to our family.

MAURITIUS BAHRAIN The ISMWSF General Assembly of Nations held in Paris, ISMWSF also welcomes back into its fold the Bahrain France, officially ratified the membership of Mauritius. The Disabled Sports Federation. Bahrain lapsed from mem- Physically Handicapped Persons Sports Federation of Mauritius bership some years ago and have now found the re- have already expressed a great interest in developing their sources to rejoin ISMWSF and reap the benefits that sports nationally and to competing internationally. ISMWSF membership of our organisation offers. sends a BIG welcome to all Mauritian athletes, trainers, coaches NEWS FROM THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

The Islamic Republic of Iran Sports Federation for the Disabled is just one prime example of a committed and dedicated or- ganisation within the ISMWSF membership. Iran hosts a variety of National Championships and Club Leagues in sports for the Disabled as well as entering athletes into international competition the world over. This Federation has committed its ac- tivities to the following sports at home and across the world: Archery, Athletics, Wheelchair Basketball, Table Tennis, Shooting, Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, CP Soccer and a sport that sounds new to ISMWSF, but nevertheless very inter- esting—Mountain Climbing!

WELL DONE IRAN—KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

We hope to see athletes from our new members, Mauritius and Bahrain joining all other member nations at the next World Wheelchair Games to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand—October 25-November 1 2003.

To have your member organisation articles and photos included in the next issue of ISMWSFNEWS, please send by email to [email protected] Page 9

50th Anniversary Pins for Sale……..

These top quality pins are available for sale from the Box of 50 Pins = £73.00 Sterling ISMWSF Secretariat. Individual: £1.45 sterling. Please note minimum order is 20 Please contact us and place your order or see our website: Pins. www.wsw.org.uk and help raise sorely needed funds for the ISMWSF. All prices include postage and packing. The price of the pins, which are individually boxed are as follows: (pin not shown actual size)

Box of 100 Pins = £145.00 sterling

EDITORIAL

ISMWSFNEWS, the official newsletter of the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation. Olympic Village, Guttmann Road, Aylesbury, Buckingham- shire, HP21 9PP, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)1296 436179—Fax: +44 (0)1296 436484 email: [email protected] website: www.wsw.org.uk

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