Competition returns to Albufeira, where it was held in 2008
This follows a bid submitted by the National Association of Sport for Intellectual Disability (ANDDI) on behalf of the Portuguese Swimming Federation, the Football Club of Ferreiras and the Town Hall of Albufeira.
The event, which was previously held in Albufeira in 2008, will be attended by over 300 swimmers representing 25 countries.
In the DSISO World Championships in Canada in 2018, Futebol Clube de Ferreiras (FCF) – had swimmers representing their country where they had remarkable success, with the athletes from the club bringing home the title of World Runner-up in the 50 breast stroke and the bronze medals in the 4 × 50 Styles and 4 × 100 Styles Relays.
José Carlos Rolo, Mayor of Albufeira, has already responded to this news.
«It is an honor and a challenge for us to be able to welcome and collaborate in the organization of such an important event for the second time – 2008 was the year in which DSISO first took place in Portugal, in Albufeira – which confirms that Municipal Pools continue to fulfil all the requirements imposed on championships of this nature and these dimensions and that Albufeira is an inclusive city, which is committed to a policy of integration of citizens with disabilities», “he said.
José Carlos Rolo stresses that “this successful bid is the result of a concerted work between various entities and now is the time to continue this partnership so that we can repeat or enhance the success of 2008”.
The mayor also leaves a word for the “effort, work and persistence of these athletes and their families in overcoming all difficulties, both in their daily lives and in terms of sports competition”.
The Futebol Club de Ferreiras, which is part of the organization of the event, took the first steps in adapted swimming in 2015 and more recently the “Special 21” project, whose main objective is to bring athletes with Down Syndrome to the Paralympic Games. Thus ensuring that all the club’s attention is focused on the activities of DSISO – an organization created to promote competitions for athletes with this type of disability by offering swimmers opportunities in world-class competitions.
