Sport for Mobility opens international competition pathways for Para athletes

Several Para athletes from Madagascar and Rwanda have competed at World Para Athletics Grand Prix events in 2026 after their National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) received Competition Support Grants from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). 

As part of its Sport for Mobility programme, delivered through a grant agreement with the Toyota Mobility Foundation, the IPC is providing Competition Support Grants to NPCs. The grants give Para athletes access to essential classification and competition opportunities, improving their chances of qualifying for the Paralympic Games. 

At April’s World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Rabat, Morocco, two Rwandan Para athletes lined up in T46 events. 

Competing internationally for the first time since the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Emmanuel Niyibizi impressed by posting top 10 world performances for 2026 in three events. He clocked 25.07 seconds in the 200m, 51.94 in the 400m and 3:58.81 in the 1,500m, with the latter performance placing him fourth in the current world rankings. 

Emmanuel Niyibizi said: "Paris 2024 was difficult for me because I was disqualified on the track when I had gone there with the dream of winning a Paralympic medal. I have not given up on that dream. The Competition Support Grant gave me the opportunity to return to international competition, regain my confidence and prove that I can still compete at a high level. My performances in Rabat have motivated me to work even harder towards my goal of participating in the next LA 2028 Paralympic Games." 

At her first international competition, Clementine Uwiduhaye underwent classification before competing in the 100m, 200m and 400m, recording highly respectable performances. Her 400m time of 1:04.73 places her fourth in the 2026 world rankings. 

The two Para athletes were also part of a four-strong Rwandan delegation that attended June’s World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunis, Tunisia. 

Also making her international debut, Josiane Nikuze underwent classification before narrowly missing out on a podium finish in the women's discus F40. Her throw of 20.36m nevertheless ranks her sixth in the world this year. Jean Claude Ndayisenga, who competed in the 400m T47, was also making his first international appearance since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. 

Representing Madagascar, Aurélie Faravavy competed in her first international event since the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She clocked 14.34 seconds in the women’s 100m T11, the second fastest time of her career. 

Aurélie Faravavy said: “Thanks to the grant given by the IPC, I was able to participate again in a world-class Para athletics competition after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The performance in terms of time and points obtained during the 100m race is an asset to aim further.  My only regret is the lack of classification for blind people during the Tunis Grand Prix.” 

After undergoing classification at the event, fellow Malagasy Para athlete Solomon Ratsararay Rasamimanana made his international debut and recorded a personal best of 5:12.54 in the men's 1,500m T54. 

Sport for Mobility is the IPC’s largest ever Para sport development programme and consists of 14 game-changing initiatives.