ABOUT / WHAT WE DO
Our Work
Our work
The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) is one of the world’s leading organisations for the development of Para sports. Alongside a membership of more than 80 countries around the world, IWAS is passionate about offering as many competition opportunities as possible for athletes with physical impairments.
Our vision
To inspire worldwide achievements in sport.
Our mission
To develop sports opportunities for athletes to maximise their potential.
IWAS holds a unique position – we are the only organisation that provides a full international competition calendar at the entry, development and qualifying levels in support of the Paralympic movement. As a founding member of the Paralympic Movement, we also have a crucial role to play today.
IWAS World Games
In alternate years we host the IWAS World Games and IWAS World Youth Games. These offer both established and up-and-coming athletes the chance to compete on the world stage.
For some these competitions are a crucial stop on their road to the Paralympic Games or World Championships and events will be recognised by the relevant International Federation. For others, it will be the first time they compete at a large international event. For all athletes, the IWAS World Games offer the chance to compete against their peers in a multisport environment that does not come with the pressure of major competitions like a regional or World Championships or Paralympic Games.
They are an important part of the athlete journey and many competitors go on to win Paralympic medals.
IWAS Guttmann Games
Similar to able-bodied sports and the Olympic Games, many people with impairments participate in sports that cannot be found at the Paralympics. IWAS recognises that these numbers are growing. That is why from 2020 we will launch a completely unique and ground-breaking multisport event that will feature only sports and events not on the Paralympic programme.
These will take place every four years and will be the first competition of its kind. Our aim is to be at the forefront of developing Para sport, meeting our mission to build sports opportunities for Para athletes.
IWAS as an International Federation
As well as organising competitions for Paralympic and non-Paralympic sports, IWAS is the global governing body for wheelchair fencing and powerchair hockey.
We are responsible for the growth of the sports, the competition calendar, rules, anti-doping and classification.