Following the statement regarding the relocation of the IWAS World Games 2022 from Sochi, Russia, IWAS can now announce the 2022 edition of the Games will be hosted in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal from 23-29 November 2022.

The venue, Complexo Desportivo Vila Real de Santo Antonio, played host to the 2017 World Games and were the would-be hosts of the 2021 Games cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The picturesque beachfront location in the Algarve will welcome athletes of the IWAS Membership to compete over four days in a provisional sports programme of athletics, swimming, powerlifting and making its IWAS Games debut, Cerebral Palsy football.

IWAS President, Rudi Van Den Abbeele, said: ‘Although the circumstances in which we will find ourselves in Portugal this year are not without sadness, we have no doubt that with our partners in Portugal, the invaluable support of our IWAS Member (FPDD) and the National Federations in the country, that this Games will be a huge success.’

‘After the years of uncertainty we have all faced, we greatly look forward to the opportunity to meet once again to share in a celebration of sport, peace and unity.’

Sanctioning applications to the International Federations as well as requests to host classification are underway. International classification is confirmed in powerlifting and updates on the other sports will be communicated as soon as possible.

IWAS has now invited its Membership to register their interest in attending the Games.