IBSA World Championships and Games Take Shape

Photo: IBSA (Female Goalball players in action)

The 2nd International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) World Championships and Games Quebec 2003 are beginning to take shape. The championships and games are scheduled to take place from August 2 to 12 2003 in Quebec City, Canada, and follow the highly successful Madrid 1998 IBSA World Championships.

Quebec 2003 will host events in six IBSA sports—IBSA World Championships in Athletics, Powerlifting, Swimming and Tandem Cycling and IBSA World Games in Goalball and Judo. The Goalball and Judo games will also be qualifying tournaments for the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. The top five Goalball teams at the Quebec games will qualify automatically for Athens if they have not already done so.

The Canadian Blind Sports Association (CBSA), organiser of the event, is planning for the visit of up to 1,200 athletes, team officials, guides, officials and VIP guests. Backing from Quebec City Council, the Quebec regional government and the Canadian government has already been guaranteed, and the games are shaping up to be the main sports event for the blind in 2003. CBSA will be sending out a package of documents about Quebec 2003 to all nations in the near future.

“These championships and games will offer blind athletes the opportunity to take part in elite competition just one year before the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, and it’s an opportunity they really shouldn’t miss,” said Enrique Pérez, IBSA President. “For Goalball players and judokas there’s the added incentive of qualifying for Athens 2004, so the stage is set for a week of top level performances from our athletes. It’s a big event that requires a lot of planning and organisation, but I know the Canadian Blind Sports Association will put on a great event. I’m sure blind athletes all over the world are already looking forward to Quebec 2003.”

Visiting Quebec City for a recent meeting of the IBSA Sports Technical Committee, Brian Scobie, IBSA Technical Director, commented: “We’ve had the chance to see the venues and facilities for ourselves, and they look marvellous. The venues are ideal from a technical point of view and the athletes’ accommodation is just five minutes away on foot. The subcommittee chairmen for the sports involved are very happy with what they’ve seen, and I’m sure Quebec 2003 will provide a tremendous stage for blind athletes.”