FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2008
Contact: Mark Lucas, 719.630.0422 or mlucas@usaba.org

  2009 IBSA WORLD YOUTH AND STUDENT CHAMPIONSHIPS AND 2009 IBSA PAN AMERICAN GAMES TO BE HELD IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

(Colorado Springs , Colo.) - The United States Association of Blind Athletes is excited to announce that the 2009 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Youth and Student Championships and the 2009 IBSA Pan American Games will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 15-20, 2009.

Blind and visually impaired athletes, ages 12-19, from around the world will compete in the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Youth and Student Championships. Athletes of all ages from the Pan American region will compete in the 2009 IBSA Pan Am Games. Sports on the program include track and field, judo (Pan American Games only), swimming and goalball. Colorado College will serve as the athlete village and competitions will take place at the United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado College, and a local track and field complex.

“USABA is honored to host this prestigious event and showcase the best young blind and visually impaired athletes from around the world” said IBSA and USABA board member, Oral Miler. “Athletes from the Pan American region also have the opportunity to compete in these continental games as all competitors begin their process for qualifying for the 2012 London Paralmpic Games which is most prestigious sport event in the world for athletes with physical and sensory disabilities.” said Miller.

More than 100 countries have been invited to participate in the World Youth and Student Championships including delegations from Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa, and Oceania . Additionally, all nations of the Pan American region were invited to compete in the IBSA Pan American games.

The first entry for the 2009 IBSA World Youth and Student Championships and IBSA Pan American Games can be found on the USABA website at www.usaba.org.

Qualification standards for TEAM USA will be posted on the USABA website by December 15.

First Entry Form for IBSA World Youth and Student Championships

First Entry For for IBSA Pan American Games

USABA enhances the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired through sports and physical activities.

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The United States Association of Blind Athletes, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, which continually draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes.