More than 800 athletes from 34 countries took part in the 2015 IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation) World Games in Sochi between the 26th of September and the 2nd of October 2015. Athletes competed in six sports, Athletics, Swimming, Archery, Table Tennis, Taekwondo and Arm Sport.
The President of IWAS, Mr. Paul de Pace said: “I am grateful for the commitment to these games demonstrated by every delegation and particularly, by each athlete. Our most sincere words of appreciation also goes to our volunteers for assisting so crucially with the delivery of these Games.”
The winner of the tournament, by team results, is the Russian National Team, who won 123 gold medals, 104 silver medals and 95 bronze medals.
In second place was the team from China (25 gold medals, 18 silver medals, 13 bronze medals), the third – the National Team of Poland (10 gold medals, 9 silver medals, 12 bronze medals).
Athletes from 33 different countries medaled and Paralympians from 22 countries won gold medals. Other countries in the top 10 medal were Bulgaria, Finland, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, and Croatia.
The Vietnam team participated in the world-class IWAS games for the first time thanks to funding from Parasport Foundation Vietnam, and they achieved a remarkable 6 medals by 7 athletes, including 1 gold medal in swimming and 5 medals in athletics. Their result reflects the excellent work done by the Parasport Foundation Vietnam in its first year in operation.
The General Partner for the IWAS World Games was the Paralympic Sports Support Foundation “Parasport”, founded by Oleg Boyko.
“The IWAS World Games athletes were not only testing themselves against each other, but every individual lives every day with the challenge of a physical disability. The beauty of the Paralympic movement is that it provides experiences and achievements that, alongside its values, are often a route to success in life beyond sport. Furthering this message is one of Parasport’s core aims as an organisation”, said the founder of the “Parasport” foundation, IWAS Development Committee member Mr. Oleg Boyko.
During the IWAS World Games the IWAS General Assembly took place. It was decided that the IWAS World Under 23 Games will take place in Czech Republic next year.
For his ongoing commitment to the development of the international Paralympic movement the founder of the “Parasport” Foundation Oleg Boyko has been appointed IWAS Development Committee member.
The official Closing Ceremony of the IWAS World Games 2015 took place in Sochi on October 2 and was attended by guests of honour, IWAS President, Paul de Pace, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Government, Arkadiy Dvorkovich, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation, Vitaly Mutko, President of the Russian Paralympic committee, Vladimir Lukin, Head of the Preparatory Activities and Staging of the World IWAS Games in the Russian Federation, IWAS Vice-president, the chairman of the Russian Paralympic committee Executive Board and First Vice-President of the Russian Paralympic committee, Pavel Rozhkov.
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Government, Mr. Arkadiy Dvorkovich commented: “The participation of each athlete in the Games is a victory in itself. A victory over themselves and over their circumstances. All participants displayed great will and courage, as well as the professional skills and strong character that should serve as a role model for every athlete. The results achieved by all athletes has impressed me greatly. On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation I wish all Games participants new achievements in sport and life”.
The Russian Federation’s Minister of Sport, Mr. Vitaly Mutko, declared the IWAS World Games 2015 in the city of Sochi closed.
The IWAS Flag was solemnly taken out of the Arena by IWAS President, Paul de Pace and IWAS Executive Board members, Pavel Rozhkov, Charmaine Hooper, Bob Paterson, Dina Sotiriardi, Tariq Almansouri and Rudi van den Abbele.
