After entries closed at the end of September, IWAS has confirmed that athletics, powerlifting and swimming will feature between 25-28 November.

Nearly 500 athletes from 30 countries will compete in Portugal on their road to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. A number of athletes will also make their international debuts following in the footsteps of some of the world’s most successful Paralympians.

Wheelchair slalom – an event which featured at early editions of the Paralympics – will be held as a demonstration event, whilst race running will also be on the athletics programme as part of its development.

The IWAS World Games has a strong track record of supporting sports and medal events that are not at the Paralympics as it acts as both a high performance and development event that is open to all sports for athletes with physical disabilities.

IWAS President, Rudi Van Den Abbeele, said: “The 2022 edition of the IWAS World Games will be truly special – we are firmly back after nearly four years away.

“The numbers of athletes coming from all four corners of the globe reflects the value our members place in the Games and shows that it remains an important highlight in their calendar.

“It is also a milestone in the history of IWAS, as it will be the last Games held before we merge with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association in 2023.

“With 50 days to go it is time to get really excited about the performances we will see in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, the new stories which will appear and unfold in front of our eyes and the start of fresh journeys. We cannot wait.”

Athletics, swimming and powerlifting will all be recognised and approved by their respective International Federations – World Para Athletics, World Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting. Classification will also be held ahead of Vila Real de Santo Antonio 2022, offering new and existing athletes the chance to be internationally classified.

All sports will be held at the Complexo Desportivo in the same venues as the IWAS World Games in 2017.

The Opening Ceremony will be held on 25 November, followed by three days of action in athletics, powerlifting and swimming. The Closing Ceremony will conclude Vila Real de Santo Antonio 2022 on 28 November.