This MoU marks a significant step toward integrating athletes with intellectual impairments into Alpine and Cross-Country skiing disciplines at the highest levels of competition.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and Virtus, the International Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration and promote greater inclusion in winter sports.
Effective from June 25, the MoU marks a significant step toward integrating athletes with intellectual impairments into Alpine and Cross-Country skiing disciplines at the highest levels of competition, including the Paralympic Winter Games.
Through this agreement, FIS and Virtus commit to a closer technical partnership, focusing on supporting the inclusion of athletes with intellectual impairments in the Paralympic Winter Games, potentially as early as 2030. Promoting Virtus within the FIS community and among its member federations and also Enhancing technical support for Virtus-endorsed events, including the use of FIS-homologated courses and FIS Technical Delegates.
To facilitate this cooperation, a joint Virtus–FIS Working Group will be established, serving as a technical liaison and reporting to the FIS Para Snow Sports Committee.
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to inclusivity, excellence, and the continued evolution of winter sports on the global stage, as FIS President, Johan Eliasch, highlighted in a comment.
