RaceRunning makes a very successful debut at the World Para Athletics European Championships. 20 RaceRunning athletes from 7 countries competed at the Berlin WPA European Championships in August, 2018. With 14 athletes competing in the combined RR2/3 class and 7 athletes in the RR1 class.

RaceRunning makes a very successful debut at the World Para Athletics European Championships. 20 RaceRunning athletes from 7 countries competed at the Berlin WPA European Championships in August, 2018. With 14 athletes competing in the combined RR2/3 class and 7 athletes in the RR1 class.

Our congratulations to all athletes that competed and contributed to great debut.

Our congratulations to all athletes that competed and contributed to great debut.

Below are the entries and results.

RR3 Women 100m Final

RR3 Men RR3 Final

RR1 Women RR1 Final

RR1 Men 100m Final

RR3 Women 100m Heat2

RR3 Women 100m Heat1

The CPISRA World Games 2018 was a great success and fantastic experience for our athletes. CPISRA can thank enough the Local Organising Committee ( Catalan Sports Federation fro Persons with Cerebral Palsy), Sant Cugat City Council and the Games partners. Also a huge thank you to all team personnel, officials, volunteers and spectators for without you there would be no Games.

Sant Gugat, Spain welcomed 600 participants from 30 countries around the World to the Games with a wonderful opening ceremony. The highlight being a high wire act with ninety percent of the performers being people with Cerebral Palsy. Mr Carlos Munoz; President of Catalan Sports Federation for people with Cerebral Palsy and Stephen Miller MBE Stephen; multiple Paralympic gold medallist and Chair of the CPISRA Athletes Committee, opened the Games.

In the 40 year history of the CPISRA World Games, this is only the 2nd time that they have been held outside of the United Kingdom, and is the first time that they have been held in Continental Europe. CPISRA’s mantra of Opportunity, Development and Participation was well and truly reflected in this year’s programme as it is the broadest offered to date. The week showcased world class competition in para-athletics, para-swimming and under-19 CP football. As well as this, the CPISRA World Games development sports programme provided a Camp and Competition format for boccia, wheelchair slalom and female CP football to help improve skills and introduce international competition. The Agitos Proud Paralympian programme , run alongside the games, providing leadership training as well as education workshops for all. And completing the multi-dimensional Games programme the CPISRA General Assembly was held; enabling delegates to be part of this exceptional Games programme.

The Games finished not with a Closing Ceremony but with a Games Celebration party. For in addition to performance and results, the Games was also about making friends, embracing new cultures and enjoying the experience. May many of the athletes have built friendships that will last a lifetime.

In successfully delivering the broadest programme ever, this Games has lifted the CPISRA World Games to new a new level. To which great credit and thanks is given to the LOC for having the courage and commitment to make it happen.

The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and encourage CP sport in the Asian region.

The MoU was signed by Asian Paralympic Committee president Mr. Majid Rashed and CPISRA president Mr. Peter Drysdale during the CPISRA General Assembly in Sant Cugat, Barcelona, Spain. The General Assembly was held during the CPISRA World Games and it was with great pleasure and appreciation that CPISRA welcomed Mr. Rashed to the CPISRA World Games Opening Ceremony and the General Assembly.

According to the agreement, both the parties will collaborate to increase the community awareness. sport and competition opportunities for athletes with cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions. To increase the awareness of the Paralympic Movement and Para Athletes in Asia; to educate and support the classification system for CP Athletes; to increase training and education opportunities for CP Athletes, Coaches, Technical Officials and Classifiers; and to develop CP sports in various methods in the Asian region.
The agreement, which is effective from the date of signing for a period of four years, is a follow up of Mr. Drysdale’s visit to APC headquarters in Dubai in early June when they discussed and sought APC’s co-operation in promoting the sport in Asia and holding possible events together in future.
Commenting on the association, APC president Mr. Rashed said:
"This is a big step towards promoting and developing CP sport in Asia. I hope that together with CPISRA, we can help grow the sport with our commitment, determination and encouragement. I am overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm and determination of the athletes here at the World Games and believe that through this agreement, we will be able to strengthen the platform for the athletes in Asia as well. I congratulate the entire CP fraternity for this day and wish good luck to the athletes for their events at the Games."

CPISRA last year undertook a valuable research study looking at developing recreational opportunities. Findings showed that if there were more opportunities to introduce individuals to sports and recreation, or gave them different sports and recreation experiences, this would increase participation.

Calvert Trust is based in Keswick, England within the National Park of the Lake District has been chosen as the pilot location to host the first recreational camp for CPISRA.

The Lake District Calvert Trust provides residential outdoor activity courses for people of all ages with physical, sensory, learning, behavioural and/or mental disabilities. Its mission is to challenge disability through outdoor adventure. Pioneering equipment adaptations, and intensive, instructor-led activity programmes (that include climbing, abseiling, canoeing, sailing, horse/trap driving, archery, orienteering and paragliding), provide an environment whose aims are to teach, challenge, motivate, engender confidence in ability, promote independence, and foster integration. All instructors are highly trained and specialist qualified, and the facilities are specially adapted and fully accessible to all. The Lake District Calvert Trust provides a unique and life-changing experience for those with disabilities, who are encouraged to believe that it’s what you CAN do that counts.

Julie and Lauren summed up the intensive introduction weekend at Calvert Trust exceeded both, Julie and Lauren’s expectations for the weekend. For someone like Julie who has CP and had enthralled of the adventure began from childhood was utmost impressed with the facilities. The high calibre of staff and expertise of the Calvert Trust has to offer ensures everyone regardless of the complexity of the disability, Calvert Trust is well placed to cater all groups and sizes. Calvert Trust will give individuals to challenge their disability in the outdoor.

We are seeking interested participants to attend the first CPISRA recreational camp in 2019.

If you would like more information about CPISRA recreational camp in 2019, please contact Julie or Lauren on: julie.mcelroy@cpisra.org or lauren.milstead@cpisra.org

Britt Sorensen, the Danish Marathon RaceRunner speaks to CPISRA. Please click on the following link to read of Britt's amazing marathon achievements. Britt Race Runs the Distance

Four weeks to go!

Until the 2018 CPISRA World Games

The two weeks since the last update have been incredibly busy for the Local Organising Committee in Sant Cugat, as well as the supporting CPISRA staff and volunteers. With the completed entries consolidated and reviewed, the detailed planning for all aspects of the Games is moving at pace. The Local Organising Committee will shortly be releasing the Team Guide to entered teams.

Detail event scheduling is taking shape and very competitive events are emerging. In upcoming countdown emails, we will be highlighting for you particular events to watch during the Games. For example, the athletics 100m T37 male has 15 entries and only a second seperates the 10 highest ranked athletes. Can't wait to watch that event!
Let us know what you are doing at the 2018 CPISRA World Games.

We'd love to hear from you if you're going to Sant Cugat as we continue the countdown to the Games. Are you a coach, athlete or volunteer? Are you taking part in Boccia, Swimming or Wheelchair Slalom? We'd love to hear from you and share your story, contact lauren.milstead@cpisra.org to feature on our facebook page and website.

Congratulations to Ramon Storm, RaceRunning coach at Rotterdam Atletiek, for being nominated for a #BeActive Local Hero Award 2018 in the Netherlands. Read more about RaceRunning in Roterdam, Ramon and the #BeActive Local Hero award here.

81 athletes representing 11 countries gathered at Frederiksberg Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark from 8th to 15th July for the 22nd RaceRunners Camp & Cup. During the first three days, a RaceRunning Camp was held. In these days there is a chance for joint training and knowledge-sharing between the athletes and coaches from the participating nations.

People come all over the world to attend the RaceRunners Camp & Cup. Australia was represented in the Camp & Cup for the first time. 9-year-old Arran Keith from Sydney became the first RaceRunning athlete to compete internationally for Australian. Arran is keen to develop RaceRunning in Australia and we very much hope it does.

For the first time, a training course in RaceRunning was completed with three coaches who all received a lot of skills to take back home to Norway, the Faroe Islands and Mexico. It was a success that will be continued.

A big thanks to Frederiksberg Sports Union and Frederiksberg municipality for always supporting the annual RaceRunning Camp & Cup. This event would not be possible without the amazing volunteers and sponsors.

At the event there were 18 world records set , including 11 age group world records. A full list of the world records set at the RaceRunners Camp & Cup can be found here:

WR_-_RaceRunners_Cup_2018.pdf
WR_-_RaceRunners_Junior_Cup_2018.pdf

With the CP World Games 2018 fast approaching, representatives from the CPISRA Executive Committee and the World Games Athletes Committee recently visited Sant Cugat, Spain to review preparations and facilities. Particular emphasis was given to the World Games Athletes Committee reviewing and providing feedback and suggestions from the athletes' perspective. All participating felt the visit had been very positive and excitement is now building towards the Games.

During the visit the City Council of Sant Cugat hosted a press conference to highlight their important partnership with the Local Organising Committee (FECPC) to deliver the CPISRA World Games, but also to seek local volunteers to get involved.

On the first day of the 2 day visit, the CPISRA Executive Committee and World Games Athletes’ Committee were taken on a tour of the different sport venues that will be used during the Games.

Centre d’Alt Rendiment (CAR) - Athletics, Para Taekwondo & Swimming
CAR which will host Para Athletics, Para Swimming and Para Taekwondo was the first part of the tour. The main goal of the High Performance Sports Centre of Catalonia (CAR) is to support the sport with the highest technical and scientific quality resources. CAR was created in 1992 when the Olympic and Paralympic Games were celebrated in Barcelona.

Multiple Paralympic gold medallist swimmer Richard Oribe and his coach Javier , checked out the 50m Olympic pool and warm-up pool, providing some great tips to the LOC.

Multiple Paralympic gold medallist field athlete Stephen Miller and CPISRA Head of Development Craig Carscadden MBE, completed a review of the athletics track and field areas, noting recent upgrades that have been made and advising the LOC on further details to make the games a success.

GB Para Taekwondo Athlete, Samantha Carrington, was very impressed with the facilities that will host the World Taekwondo Poomsae competition, with everything in place for a great games.

La Guinardera - Boccia & CP Football Training

La Guinardera sports complex was created in 2004 to host the future city of sports in Sant Cugat. This venue will host Boccia and be a training venue for CP Football.

Rachel Miller, an international Boccia classifer and coach, thought the facilities were great for the Boccia Camp and Competition.

Jaume Tubau Stadium - CP Football Competition

Jaume Tubau Stadium was created in 2001, and not only hosts a football field but also has 2 sports courts, 2 paddle courts and 2 gym rooms.

The IFCPF World Cup U19 will be held here, with great facilities for players, officials and spectators.

Rambla del Celler - Female CP Football, Para Table Tennis & Wheelchair Slalom

Rambla del Celler is a sports complex in the city centre of Sant Cugat; formed of three sports pavilions and a gym with a swimming pool.

The three pavilions will host Female CP Football, Para Table Tennis and Wheelchair Slalom as three of the development sports in the world games.

For more information on CP World Games venues go to CP World Games Venues

On the final day the CPISRA Executive Committee and World Games Athletes’ Committee had separate and joint meetings to discuss the site visit and to provide feedback to the LOC on ensuring the games are a great success but also athlete centred. Bringing all of the representatives together, everyone felt that the weekend had been very positive and excitement is now building towards the games

An introduction to RaceRunning Coaching workshop will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland on Saturday 29th April 2018. The course will be delivered by RaceRunning Scotland supported by CPISRA member Scottish Disability Sport. Click on the following for the course flyer: RaceRunning Coaching Workshop

This workshop is designed to give participants knowledge of RaceRunning, athlete training and running bikes.

It will help you to identify potential athletes, how to deliver athlete training and understand how to adjust bikes.

The workshop is delivered in a classroom in a practical manner with participants having the chance to see and speak with athletes.

Resources: Hand out on coaching techniques and bike set-up.

Who for: Coaches and volunteers who are interested in/already working with RaceRunning athletes.

For more information and to register your place please contact: info@cpisra.org

Danish RaceRunning Pioneers Mansoor Siddiqi and Connie Hansen were last week rewarded with The Minister for Culture’s Parasport Prize 2017 (Kulturministerens Parasportspris) in recognition of their great effort inventing and promoting RaceRunning nationally and abroad. Siddiqi and Hansen are both looking forward to continuing this effort.
2017 will be a memorable year in the history of RaceRunning. Only a few months after a record breaking huge RaceRunning WC in Copenhagen the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that RaceRunning per 1st of January 2018 would be recognized as a World Para Athletics discipline. For the very first time RaceRunning will be an official medal discipline at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin this summer.
And last week as the Danish Sports Year 2017 was being celebrated in Herning and on Danish National Television the two RaceRunning Pioneers Mansoor Siddiqi and Connie Hansen were awarded the prestigious prize The Minister for Culture’s Parasport Prize 2017:
- It was a fantastic evening in Herning and we have received so many positive reactions and congratulations since then, Connie Hansen says.

Watch Connie and Mansoor receiving their award by clicking on the following link. Its a must watch video!Receiving Award

A Milestone for RaceRunning
Connie Hansen and Mansoor Siddiqi are both former elite athletes who have won several Paralympic medals and enjoyed many great moments in sports. Nevertheless, 2017 has been something special for both of them:
- RaceRunning has become our lifework. 26 years ago when we invented RaceRunning I had absolutely no imagination what was laying in front of us. I am not even sure that I would have chosen this path. It has been a struggle, an Odyssey, but this Parasport Prize really tells us that we have reached a milestone, Connie Hansen says.
- It has been a very important year for RaceRunning. Many new countries are adapting the sport and in countries like Sweden and Holland the sport of RaceRunning is growing at a rapid speed. The future looks bright and in 2018 this development is only going to continue. I hope that RaceRunning will be a part of the Paralympic programme in 2028 – if not earlier, Mansoor Siddiqi says.

100.000 Danish kroner donated to RaceRunning for children and youngsters
Connie Hansen and Mansoor Siddiqi were nominated for the Minister for Culture’s Parasport Prize by Handicapidrættens Videnscenter (Danish Disability Sport Information Centre) and Spastikerforeningen (Organisation for the Spastics). The two other nominees were the Para taekwondo World Champion Lisa Kjær Gjessing and the leader of Dansk Døve-Idrætsforbunds (Danish Deaf Sports Federation) Joachim Thor Krøyer.
The prestigious prize comes with 100.000 Danish kroner (approximately 13.400 €). Mansoor Siddiqi and Connie Hansen are going to spend the money promoting RaceRunning among children and youngsters:
- We are very determined that the prize money should benefit our young athletes. We need even more children and youngster to become parasport athletes and choose and active lifestyle, Mansoor Siddiqi says.
In July the RaceRunning Camp & Cup will once again take place in Copenhagen and in August the world’s best RaceRunning athletes will be participating in the World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin.

Photo (left to right):
Mansoor Siddiqi, Danish Minister for Culture Mette Bock and Connie Hansen.

CPISRA has released a series of short videos introducing Julie McElroy, recently appointed CPISRA Head of Development. Julie has a PhD in assistive technology, is currently a researcher with International Public Policy Institute at University of Strathclyde, has undertaken many adventure challenges and ambassador/advocate roles for inclusion with various organisations. As with the vast majority of roles with CPISRA, Julie's role is voluntary and we are delighted and very appreciative to her for accepting the challenge of leading the new Recreation initiative.

In the videos Julie outlines her recreational pursuits and her passion to lead an active lifestyle. Also her hope to demonstrate what is possible in her role at CPISRA. We plan for these videos to be the start to inspiring and raising awareness of recreation opportunities for people with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions.

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Montreal, 15 September 2018 – Yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issued a media release regarding WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee’s (CRC’s) recommendation to the Agency’s Executive Committee (ExCo) concerning RUSADA compliance, which the ExCo will consider at its next meeting on 20 September. Today, the Agency wishes to address speculation and misinformation that is circulating due in large part to more documents having been leaked in the public domain. To clarify:

There is nothing new or concerning in the latest leaked document of an exchange between WADA and the Russian Ministry of Sport. The way in which WADA approached the Ministry was recommended by the Agency’s independent CRC at its 14 June 2018 meeting and its content is entirely in line with the RUSADA Roadmap to Compliance first established in January 2017.

WADA has been leading the drive to ensure that Russia meets the Roadmap in full. The fact is that leadership requires flexibility. The proposals made in the leaked letter are grounded in pragmatism and are nuanced interpretations of the Roadmap in order to bring matters to a conclusion and to not allow the significant progress that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has made over the last two years, under WADA’s supervision, to be undone.

Interested stakeholders around the world want the same thing: an effective and sustainable anti-doping system in Russia that sees clean Russian athletes resuming their place in international sport while ensuring the protection of athletes inside and outside of the country. That outcome was never going to be achieved without small degrees of movement on both sides.

It is important to note that the loudest critics of this CRC-led initiative are the very same who were most supportive of the CRC from the outset.

If the CRC's recommendation is approved by the WADA ExCo on 20 September, RUSADA will be declared compliant. However, for the avoidance of doubt, the second condition demands that WADA receives a copy of the former Moscow Laboratory’s database and the raw data via an independent expert within a strict time limit to be determined by the ExCo. If this is not met in full, then the CRC will recommend to the ExCo that RUSADA is, once again, declared non-compliant.

In terms of the process going forward, WADA’s ExCo will discuss the matter in full on 20 September; and, immediately thereafter, WADA will publish its decision. In the meantime, in the interest of full transparency, we link the following documents:

Letter from Russian Sport Minister to WADA Director General – 12 June 2018
Letter from the CRC Chair to WADA Director General – 19 June 2018
Letter from WADA President and Director General to Russian Sport Minister – 22 June 2018
Letter from Russian Sport Minister to WADA President and Director General – 13 August 2018
Letter from Russian Sport Minister to WADA President and Director General – 13 September 2018
Letter from CRC Chair to WADA Director General – 14 September 2018

Click on the following for the WPA Memorandum Stimulation or Inhibitory Neuro Devices

Click on the following for the WPA Memorandum Sport Class Status for Athletes with Hypertonia, Ataxia & Athetosis

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Fifth World Conference on Doping in Sport that will take place from 5 to 7 November 2019 in Katowice, Poland. While Katowice was selected as the Conference’s host city during WADA’s May 2017 Foundation Board meeting, the exact dates had not yet been determined.

Representatives from the sport movement, public authorities and anti-doping organizations; along with, athletes, their entourage, the media and other anti-doping experts will converge in Katowice to take stock of the evolution of Clean Sport; and, engage in high-level discussion and debate about the global anti-doping program, its practices and processes.

Among other major decisions during the Conference, WADA’s Foundation Board will approve the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. On 12 December 2017, WADA launched the first of a three-phase 2021 World Anti-Doping Code Review Process that involves simultaneous review of the International Standards; for which, the Agency is soliciting stakeholder feedback by 31 March 2018.

More details will follow in the coming months regarding the Conference. In the meantime, please be sure to save the date in your calendars.

Best regards,

World Anti-Doping Agency

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) led by its President Andrew Parsons has sent its condolences to the family of Jose Luis Campo, President of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC), who passed away suddenly on Monday (16 October) in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Campo was a physical education teacher for youngsters with an impairment by profession and was instrumental in the development of the Paralympic Movement in the Americas.

He was elected the APC's founding President in 1997 and served two terms until 2005 working hard to establish and develop National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) in the region. He was elected President once again in 2013 and was currently serving his fourth term following re-election in March 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

On Wednesday (18 October), he would have celebrated his 60^th birthday and leaves behind his wife Sonia Incaurgarat and three children Bernardo, Manuel and Josefina.

Andrew Parsons, the IPC's President who is currently in South Korea, said: "The Paralympic Movement has lost one of its most valuable members. Jose Luis Campo, President of the Americas Paralympic Committee, was an inspiration to anyone who knew him. His passion for the Paralympic Movement had no limits. I called him "maestro" [teacher, in Spanish] as he taught me so much over the years. His commitment with the Movement was beyond any comprehension.

I will never forget how he organised almost by himself the Parapan Games 2003. It was amazing to see his passion exciting a group of volunteers in Mar del Plata and uniting them around the dream to deliver the best possible Games, with almost no funding, to the athletes of the Americas. He was a fighter, an example of resilience.

The Paralympic Movement has a lost a good friend. His legacy to the Paralympic sport will live strong forever. It was a privilege and an honour to work alongside him. My thoughts are now with his family: Sonia, Manuel, Josefina, Bernardo.

A huge champion and advocate of athletes with high support needs, Campo during his first term as APC President oversaw the organisation of the inaugural Parapan American Games in Mexico City in 1999. Four years later they were staged in his home city Mar del Plata and he paved the way for the Games to be held in Rio in 2007, in the same city as the Pan American Games.

In order to give young athletes more opportunities in the region, he helped create the Youth Parapan American Games. The first edition was held in 2005 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, involving athletes from 10 countries.  He oversaw the latest edition this March in Sao Paulo with 800 athletes from 19 countries taking part.

In December 2015, months after the hugely successful Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, Campo signed a historic agreement on behalf of the APC with the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO).

Under its terms, the two organisations will work jointly on the bid process for future Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. The support also includes APC representatives being invited to join a number of Work Commissions, APC participation in PASO events, and PASO and the APC co-ordinating actions of National Olympic Committees, who are PASO members, to strengthen the working relationships with organisations of Paralympic sport in their respective countries.

During his current term as President, Campo was working closely with the Organising Committees of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games and Managua 2018 Para Central-American Games, once again, in order to strengthen the Paralympic Movement in the Americas.

Away from the APC, Campo served on the IPC Executive Committee from 1997 to 2005 and was an IPC Governing Board member between 2009 and 2013. He was part of the Rio 2016 IOC Co-ordination Commission overseeing Latin America's first Olympic and Paralympic Games, an event that saw NPCs from the Americas win more medals than ever before.

Campo passed away in Mar del Plata after suffering a heart attack while participating in a fundraising walk/run event to raise funds to organisations fighting children's cancer.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to publish their latest education tool entitled Parents’ Guide to Support Clean Sport. Specifically designed for parents of athletes, this education resource is intended to inform them about essential topics so that they can assist with clean athlete development by preventing the use of substances and methods prohibited in sport. The short booklet covers basic facts and includes links to websites with further information for parents on the following topics:

• Promoting good values
• Identifying a healthy sport culture
• Finding balance
• Nutrition
• The risks of supplements
• Doping risk factors
• Periods when athletes are more vulnerable to doping
• Preventing the use of prohibited substances
• Protecting the clean athlete – the doping control process
• Recognizing possible signs and symptoms of drug use
• What to do if your child is doping

“Generally, the athlete-parent relationship is the only one that is a constant throughout an athlete’s career, regardless of the level of involvement or influence of the parent,” said Rob Koehler, WADA Deputy Director General and Director of Education. “Coaches and support personnel come and go, so athletes, particularly younger athletes, commonly look to their parents as the first point of contact on many matters,” Koehler continued. “Parents need to constantly monitor their child’s environment to identify potential risk factors,” he said. “This tool will be a starting point to equip parents with the right information about clean sport and anti-doping. The booklet now being published by WADA provides this information and acts as a reference point for further learning.”   Current social science research highlights parents as particularly influential persons in young athlete populations. Parents shape their children’s personal ethics, which then guides their behaviors and their approach to sport throughout their career. Research also shows that parents, as a group, lack knowledge of anti-doping, which is why it is important that they be prioritized with targeted anti-doping education, providing them with the information they need to help guide their children*.   The Parents’ Guide to Support Clean Sport is available in online and print versions, in English, French and Spanish in the Education section of the WADA website: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/education-tools. *Erickson, K. Backhouse, S.H., & Carless, D. Doping in Sport: Do Parents Matter? Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. Vol 6(2), May 2017, 115-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/spy0000081