Athletes Without Limits

AWL DC-Based Inclusive Rowing Program: An official US Rowing club since 2010 Athletes Without Limits' rowing program welcomes athletes w intellectual impairment Autism Down Syndrome IDD and those with physical impairment injured Veterans diverse urban youth and non-disabled peers to learn to row and compete together out of the Anacostia Community Boathouse. The team races in mainstream regattas and indoor rowing events including the prestigious Head of the Charles. 2022 Accomplishments: Through grants from US Rowing & Pocock Rowing Foundation's "A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund" the program had funding to increase coaching and equipment to expand opportunities for all on our growing team. The program began with just 4 athletes with intellectual impairment and is now recognized as a national leader in promoting inclusion and diversity in the sport of rowing.

AWL National Team Trips to Virtus Competition: Since the 2009 Global Games in the Czech Republic Athletes Without Limits has been organizing US National Teams competing at Virtus International World Championships. 2022 Accomplishments: Following the cancellation of the 2022 Virtus Americas Regional Championships due to challenges caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic our Athletes Without Limits US National Team was invited to the Virtus Oceania Regional Games in Australia. The team was comprised of US Swimmers Taekwondo and Sailing athletes and was held in Brisbane Australia. Some of the swimmers used the event which is sanctioned by IPC Swimming to obtain swim times toward U.S. Paralympic Swim Team selection.

Hosting Virtus World Championships: As the US member of Virtus AWL occasionally bids to host Virtus Events the 2016 Virtus Tennis World Championships in Delaware was first Virtus event ever in the US 2022 Accomplishments: AWL hosted the 2022 Virtus Cross Country World Championships featuring teams of elite runners with intellectual impairment from around the world including AWL's largest US National Cross Country Team to date. The event was held on the same course as the 2022 USA Track Field National Cross Country Championships. Teams stayed at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center a U.S. Olympic Paralympic Training Center. As part of the event AWL hosted the Virtus International Governing Board meeting. AWL partnered with renowned race directors from USA Track Field including renowned founder of the Rock N Roll Marathon Series. A contribution from The Amazon Community Fund helped support the event.