2009 Report and looking forward to 2010

I am writing to you all to share my feelings for what has been a full and exciting year.

The most exciting news of 2009 was our re-admission to the IPC programme and the prospect of the participation of our athletes in the 2012 Paralympics. Thanks go to the INAS-FID team at the IPC General Assembly led by Dr Bob Price our President. It was also good to see that Nick Parr one of the INAS-FID Europe Executive Committee was a member of that successful team.

Our vision to enable all elite athletes with intellectual disability to access competitions of excellence, giving due regard to their rights for equality, is now closer to its goal. Our competition programme in Europe in 2009, and looking forward to 2010, shows we are working well to further this objective.

I must express my gratitude to Iceland and the INAS-FID Europe Vice President, Thordur Arni Hjaltested, for insisting that S14 swimmers were invited to the IPC European Swimming Championship. This was a great event and showed all who attended that our swimmers can show all the qualities of an elite athlete with performances that demonstrate their commitment and dedication to their sport.

In addition, Europe has also made a significant contribution to World Championships for INAS-FID by supporting the Czech Republic in staging the 2nd Global Games. Once again members of the INAS-FID Executive and Technical Committees, Alena Erlebachova and Pavel Tilinger were key to the success of this event.

My sincere thanks go to all the INAS-FID Europe Officers in the Executive and Technical Committees. The INAS FID Secretariat is in the capable hands of Marc Truffaut with the support of FFSA. With their help our website continues to flourish at www.INAS-FID-Europe.com

Thanks also to the work of Michel Chopinaud, INAS-FID Europe now have very smart pin badges with the logo for INAS-FID Europe. In addition Michel has Organised Corporate Clothing for the Executive and Technical Committee members. This new INAS-FID Europe clothing will help everyone to identify our team at all future INAS-FID events.

Of course these innovations would not have been possible without the careful management of the INAS-FID Europe accounts by our Treasurer Chris Hindley.

The Programme of Sports Events is co-ordinated by Pavel Tilinger and you know how successful the INAS-FID Europe programme is and, I am sure, will continue throughout 2010.

Of course there are others to whom I owe grateful thanks for helping me to steer INAS-FID Europe through 2009 and all its successes; from Portugal, Fausto Periera and Jose Costa Pereira, from the UK John Ball. Although they have not been mentioned in any specific context their continued support to me in so many ways is extremely valuable.

I look forward to 2010 with the same anticipation and excitement with which I have enjoyed the past three years. I know that with the support of my Executive and Technical Committee members it will be just as enjoyable and rewarding.

Once again it is my intention to attend as many of the European Championships as I am able. On these occasions I know I will enjoy meeting the many talented athletes, their coaches and team support staff that still makes INAS FID Europe such an exciting region.

Finally, in 2010 we will hold our next INAS-FID Europe General Assembly and Conference. Although we have not yet decided on a venue for this I hope it will be an opportunity to meet you all and share your thoughts and ambitions for INAS-FID Europe.

Have a wonderful holiday break. I hope the New Year brings you all that you wish for, personally and for your organisations.

Sincere best wishes,

Geoff Smedley
President
INAS-FID Europe