“478 days to IBSA World Games 2023 in Birmingham!”, told Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council and Chairman of the Games Stakeholder Board, in the presentation event for the competition. The countdown started this morning at The University of Birmingham’s iconic Bramall Building, where it took place the launch.

Sandro di Girolamo, IBSA President, addressed to the audience and spoke about innovation: ” It is a pleasure to be here with you presenting this important international event which will give more visibility to IBSA and to all Paralympic movement. It will be, for sure, a great and global event, which will give the possibility to our athletes to compete and qualify to 2024 Paralympic Games.
The new IBSA Board, elected in late 2021, is looking to innovate the organization system, renew the existing structure and, above all, to increase the international sport offer to all our athletes. We want a straight collaboration with the International Paralympic Committee because that is the road IBSA must follow.
I underline the happiness that it is for me to present this event, my sincere appreciation to the organizers, and I’m sure IBSA World Games 2023 in Birmingham will be a tremendous global event”.

Photo description: IBSA President, Sandro di Girolamo, speaking in the stage

Sallie Barker, Chair of British Blind Sport, opened the speeches: “We are so excited that the countdown to the Games has officially begun. Today’s launch was a wonderful opportunity to introduce the blind and partially sighted sporting world to Birmingham and the wider region and we can’t wait to welcome athletes from all over the world to the second city next summer.”

Team GB’s blind and partially sighted athletes took centre stage, including Tokyo paralympic gold medallists, Lora and Neil Fachie (cycling), and Chris Skelley (Judo), who spoke about the opportunities that a home World Games provided for their sports and for blind and partially sighted athletes.

The launch was streamed live in IBSA YouTube channel and can be watched here.