Statement - IWAS World Games 2022 relocated

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) has announced that the IWAS World Games 2022, due to take place from 2-9 October will be withdrawn from Sochi, Russia and relocated to an alternative country, hosted and organised by IWAS.

The decision comes after IWAS considered the ongoing and escalating situation in Ukraine and feedback from the IWAS Membership. The move also stands in solidarity with actions taken by other sports organisations in recent days.

IWAS President, Rudi Van Den Abeele, said: “In line with many others, IWAS considers hosting a major international sporting event in Russia to now be impossible. The views of our members and the ability of the host country to stage a safe event where all athletes are given the platform to shine are of paramount importance to us.”

“I want to reassure all athletes and our members that the 2022 edition of the IWAS World Games, will be an exceptional competition where we will all be able to gather for a celebration of sport.”

Discussions are ongoing with the venue and facilities of the 2017 edition of the Games which were held in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, for the relocated Games with dates proposed for November 2022. Following an IWAS Executive Board meeting scheduled for 8th March, details on the Games and sports programme will be finalised and communicated to the IWAS Membership.