USABA Announces 2009 IBSA Major Competitions

11 Dec 2008 By IPC

The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has officially announced Colorado Springs (USA) to be the location for the 2009 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Youth and Student Championships and the 2009 IBSA Pan American Games from 15-20 July 2009.

The 2009 IBSA World Youth and Student Championships will bring in blind and visually impaired athletes, ages 12-19, from all around the world. The 2009 IBSA Pan American Games will have athletes of all ages coming from the Pan American region, which includes countries in North, South and Central America.

Competitions will take place at the US Olympic Training Centre at Colorado College, as well as a local track and field complex. Sports included in the programme are Athletics, Goalball, Judo (only Pan American Games), and Swimming. IBSA and USABA board member, Oral Miller, said the event is a chance for the best young blind and visually impaired athletes to showcase their talents.

Miller continued in explaining that the Regional Games are an opportunity for athletes who are beginning the qualification process for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“[The Paralympic Games] are the most prestigious sport event in the world for athletes with a disability,” Miller said.

More than 100 countries have been invited to participate in the 2009 IBSA World Youth and Student Championships, including delegations from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania. All nations of the Pan American region were invited to compete in the 2009 IBSA Pan American Games.