1952 to 2009

The International Wheelchair & Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) a merger of the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF, previously ISMGF) and the International Sports Organisation for the Disabled (ISOD) has underpinned the paralympic movement since its inception in 1952 as the ISMGC.

Sir Ludwig GuttmannIWAS has enjoyed a full, vibrant and productive past and continues to play its part in an athlete’s pathway within the paralympic movement today, demonstrating its skills in flexible delivery of services and programme activities to an increasing number of national member organisations, and in working in partnership with IPC.

ISMWSF (ISMGF) possibly needs little introduction as the founders of the Paralympic Games.  This outstanding, groundbreaking and long-lasting contribution to the paralympic movement has influenced the growth of not only IWAS over the past 49 years of its 57+ year history, but also created a major global awareness, not only to the benefit of sport, but has also positively coloured attitude toward persons with a disability in general. IWAS’ singular and joint achievements in coordinating, promoting and maintaining a pathway for athletes to the Paralympic Games has provided a foundation on which the International Paralympic Committee, when it took over the mantle of Paralympic Games coordination in 1993 from the International Coordinating Committee has been able to rely upon and further promote the ideals and message to an ever increasing public.  From this platform, the IPC has moved the Paralympic Games to a new era of professionalism, starting with the Lillehammer Winter Paralympic Games in 1994.

Whilst it would be impossible to list the many, many individuals who have contributed in leadership terms to the organisation’s objectives, prominence should be given to Sir Ludwig Guttmann as the founding father of the paralympic movement.  His leadership and vision established the ideal which has been taken up by successive individuals and has evolved to the degree where the Paralympic Games today claims its rightful position alongside the Olympic Games.

The International Stoke Mandeville Games “experience” has provided a birthplace and history for the Paralympic Games; it has given a base and a focus to the international goals of the many tens of thousands of athletes who have come through its portals, and in promoting their achievements, spread the message of opportunity across the globe.  Additionally, it created a family network of nations focused on developing programmes for athletes with a disability and a forum for the development of educators, trainers/coaches and experts creating and sustaining an infrastructure for international competition and achievement for athletes with a disability.  Thus, the paralympic movement was born.