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.

The Countdown is On!

Six weeks until the 2018 CPISRA World Games

It is only 6 weeks until the opening ceremony of the 2018 CPISRA World Games in Sant Cugat and we are so excited!

After receiving final entries we are looking forward to welcoming 530 participants from 25 countries to Spain. We are delighted the following countries that participated in Nottingham 2015 are once again competing; Austria, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, England, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland and Sweden. In addition there are 15 new countries competing, which is thrilling and highlights the growing importance of the CPISRA World Games. The new countries are; Argentina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, India, Kenya, Lithuania, Oman, Poland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, UAE and USA.
Its going to be an action packed World Games with competitions being held in CP Football, Wheelchair Slalom, Athletics (including RaceRunning) Swimming and Boccia. In addition to the competitions, we will have sport and camp events, Proud Paralympian Workshops, a Wheelchair Slalom Seminar and the CPISRA General Assembly… phew!
Keep up to date

If you’re unable to make it to Sant Cugat, we’ll be posting regular updates on the Games facebook page and CPISRA website during the games to keep you informed with the best of the action. Keep an eye out for competition highlights, athlete interviews, photos and more.

As we countdown to the Games we will be releasing further information, watch the CPISRA facebook, follow us on Twitter or check out the 2018 CP World Games website.

See you in Sant Cugat!

It is still possible to enter this years International RaceRunning Camp and Cup to be held in July in Denmark. Also for the first time an introduction to RaceRunning Coaching Course will be held. For further information on either the Camp or the Course, please contact Mansoor Siddiqi msi@parasport.dk or refer to www.racerunning.org . Click the following for the flyer for the Coaching Course: RaceRunning Coaching Course Flyer

For the preliminary entry, 97 athlete entries have been received from 15 different countries.

The Camp and Cup provide a wonderful opportunity to introduce new athletes and new countries to the world of RaceRunning. Athletes get to train with other athletes from different countries, do activities with each other and form friendships that will last due to a shared love of RaceRunning. For many of the participants the International RaceRunning Camp and Cup is one of the highlights of their year and is something they look forward to each year with great excitement.

CPISRA is delighted to announce that Dr Marietta van der Linden and Sadaf Jahed from Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Nicola Tennant from RaceRunning Scotland and Dr Martine Verheul from the University of Edinburgh, have published a journal article called: “The influence of lower limb impairments on RaceRunning performance in athletes with hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis”
The article is published in volume 61 of the Gait and Posture journal and is a piece of research that has developed from their work on RaceRunning and the classification of athletes who want to participate in RaceRunning. CPISRA wants to congratulate Dr van der Linden and her team for this success in their current research on RaceRunning.

Anyone who wants to read this article can do so by following this link - http://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/5192/.

PhD Studentship Opportunity in Cerebral Palsy, Exercise and RaceRunning

CPISRA is delighted to communicate this PhD studentship opportunity being offered by Queen Margaret University. CPISRA has been collaborating with Queen Margaret University in regard to research relating RaceRunning since 2015 and we highly recommend this opportunity.

University: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Start date: September 2018
Title of project: Does taking part in RaceRunning improve health and wellbeing?
Supervisors: Dr Marietta van der Linden, Dr Pelagia Koufaki and Dr Kavi Jagadamma.
Deadline for applications: Friday 30 March 2018
Description of PhD studentship and topic:
Physical inactivity among people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) persists throughout the lifespan and is associated with risk factors for cardio-metabolic disease in people with CP [1]. For young people with CP, with moderate to severe walking impairments, engaging in physical activities which promote cardiorespiratory fitness is challenging and evidence regarding the benefits of exercise or physical activity for this population is lacking [2]. “RaceRunning” [www.racerunning.org] allows those who are unable to walk or move a wheelchair independently, to propel themselves using a “running bike”, with a breastplate for support, handlebars and saddle but no pedals. Currently, the majority of RaceRunning participants are young people with CP who use the bikes as part of physical education sessions, or therapy in special schools, in weekly training sessions on the track, or to participate in leisure activities e.g. family “walks”. Running bikes therefore allow these young people to take part in an aerobic activity, whilst enabling some weight bearing with the potential to improve lower limb muscle function.

The overall aim of this proposed PhD project is to explore the feasibility of a longitudinal cohort study investigating whether participation in RaceRunning can improve functional mobility and cardio-metabolic health. Additionally, the benefits of taking part in RaceRunning on psychosocial outcomes such as self-efficacy and self-esteem will be explored.
Successful applicants will start in September 2018, and will receive a full waiver of tuition fees, an annual stipend of £14,553 lasting 3 years for full-time study and a research budget of £2,000 to cover project expenses and travel.

As part of the bursary contract, the successful applicant will be asked to undertake a number of school duties (such as research and teaching support) for up to 360 hours over the duration of their bursary.

References
[1] Peterson et al. 2015 Chronic conditions in adults with cerebral palsy JAMA 314(21)2303-5.

[2] Ryan et al. 2017 Exercise interventions for cerebral palsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD011660.

Entry requirements: Applicants must have a first degree in a discipline / field of study relevant to one of CHEAR’s research sub-themes (Physical Activity and Exercise Rehabilitation; Musculoskeletal and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation) and will be expected to complete the PhD programme on a full-time basis. The academic requirements are at least an upper second class honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, and ideally a Masters degree in a relevant subject.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Dr Marietta van der Linden, Centre for Health Activity and Rehabilitation Research, (mvanderlinden@qmu.ac.uk)

Details of how to apply: All potential applicants are advised to get in touch with Dr Marietta van der Linden (mvanderlinden@qmu.ac.uk) for details of how to apply

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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Skiing and Snowboarding course for beginners, advanced and racers. Organised by Austrian Ski Federation, Para Sports Austria - Austrian Sports Federation for the Disabled , Sports Section for People with Cerebral Palsy.

Snow Sports Event, January 14-20, 2018, Salzburg, Austria
Registration deadline: November 20, 2017

For details including registration please click below:

Snow Sports Event January 2018

If you have any questions please contact CPISRA Head of Winter Sports, Ms Bettina Moessenboeck at info@cpisra.org

A beginners and advanced skicourse for children and youths with disability, organised by Austrian Sports Federation for the Disabled together with Praschberger Rolltechnik and the Austrian Ski Federation.

Ski Camp, April 2-8, 2018, in Weibseeferner Kaunertal, Austria
Registration deadline: January 10, 2018

For details including registration please click below:

Ski Course April 2018

If you have any questions please contact CPISRA Head of Winter Sports, Ms Bettina Moessenboeck at info@cpisra.org

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

Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is partnering with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and the newly-formed Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to deliver the latest installment of its Legacy Outreach Program, during the IAAF Junior World Championships in Nairobi, Kenya from 12 – 17 July. The Agency’s Legacy Outreach Program, which is delivered during major international sports events, provides additional support to Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) in developing and delivering sustainable anti-doping awareness programs. This partnership will raise awareness and promote clean sport to a generation of young athletes, while leaving behind an array of resources for ADAK to use again in the future. “WADA is pleased to partner with ADAK and the Athletics Integrity Unit to bring the Legacy Outreach Program to young athletes in Nairobi, Kenya,” said Olivier Niggli, Director General, WADA. “The Program has proven to be a great way to work hand in hand with our partners in creating global awareness of anti-doping with athletes and their entourage,” Niggli continued. “By working together and creating resources that can be leveraged time and time again, WADA’s investment has a lasting and meaningful impact,” he continued.    “Along with WADA, ADAK believes that raising awareness is the first step to building understanding,” said Japhter Rugut, CEO of ADAK. “WADA’s Legacy Outreach Program and the knowledge-sharing that this unique partnership brings is greatly appreciated,” Rugut added. “The resources developed by WADA for ADAK will be used for this event and many other events in Kenya, in the future,” he continued. “As a complement to values-based education, Legacy Outreach is one of the best ways to curb doping by reaching athletes as early as possible; informing them of the many anti-doping resources at their disposal; and, informing them of the channels they have to voice concerns regarding any doping that may exist within their teams or federations.”   “The AIU is pleased to partner with WADA and ADAK at one of the IAAF’s biggest events for youth,” said David Howman, Chair of the AIU. “At this early stage in their athletic careers, athletes must be fully empowered to know their rights and responsibilities and we are pleased to play our part in this regard.”   The Legacy Outreach team, which is made up of members from ADAK, AIU and WADA, will be led by athlete ambassadors Tegla Loroupe and Paula Radcliffe. Loroupe, who is a member of WADA’s Athlete Committee, is probably best known as the first African female to win the New York Marathon; and as having led the Refugee Team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Radcliffe, a member of the IAAF’s Athlete Committee, currently holds the world record in the marathon. Both athletes are vocal supporters of the clean sport movement and have firsthand knowledge of the pressures surrounding doping in sport. The Outreach team will invite athletes, coaches and other support staff to take part in fun and educational activities. They will be encouraged to complete the Play True Quiz, which is now available in 39 languages, to sign the Clean Sport Pledge and to share their thoughts on social media using the hashtag #CleanSport. On behalf of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Paula Radcliffe will encourage athletes to sign the AIU’s Athletes’ Pledge, through which competitors can demonstrate their commitment to clean athletics.