Posted on Friday 21st April, 2023

What are the Virtus Global Games?

Virtus is the global governing organisation for elite athletes with intellectual impairment. The 6th edition of the Virtus Global Games takes place in Vichy, France and features the largest sport programme ever. 

The three eligible groups for Virtus competitions are:

  • II1 (Intellectual Impairment)
  • II2 (Significant Intellectual Impairment)
  • II3 (Autism)

Official site of the Virtus Global Games 2023

New Zealand at the Virtus Global Games 2023

12 Kiwi athletes with intellectual impairment are to compete at the 2023 Virtus Global Games. The Games take place in Vichy, France, from 2-10 June 2023. The athletes will represent New Zealand proudly across three sports: athletics, swimming and table tennis.

See delegation announcement.

Para SportAthleteEligibility ClassArea/Club
AthleticsJosh LushII-1Cairns, Australia
SwimmingJoseph BlakeII-2Hamilton, Hamilton Aquatics
SwimmingJack BuglerII-1Blenheim, Blenheim Swimming Club
SwimmingBailey ConlonII-1Rotorua, Te Arawa Swimming Club
SwimmingMelissa DonoghueII-2Hamilton, Hamilton Aquatics
SwimmingLance DustowII-3Hawkes Bay, Greendale Swimming Club
SwimmingTate PichonII-3Auckland, Mt Eden Swimming Club
SwimmingFinn RussII-3Nelson, Nelson South Swimming Club
SwimmingRylee SayerII-1Te Aroha, Matamata Swimming Club
SwimmingGenevieve WatsonII-3Christchurch, North Canterbury Swimming Club
SwimmingLuka WillemsII-2Christchurch, Wharenui Swim Club
Table TennisAlfie LinnII-2Mapua, Nelson Table Tennis Club

When can I watch the Kiwis compete at the Virtus Global Games?

Events will be livestreamed. A link will be shared here when available.

Times are in Central European Summer Time (GMT+2).

Athletics schedule

DateEventAthlete
Tuesday - 6 June10.40am (8.40pm NZST) - 100m Heats (II1)Joshua Lush
Wednesday - 7 June17.30pm (3.30am NZST) - 100m Final (II1)Joshua Lush
Thursday - 8 June16.30pm (2.30am NZST) - Long Jump Qualifications (II1)Joshua Lush
Friday - 9 June9am (7pm NZST) - Long Jump Final (II1)Joshua Lush

Swimming schedule

DateEventAthlete(s)
Monday - 5 JuneMorning Session (7pm to 10.09pm Monday NZST)
M - 200m BackstrokeLance Dustow
M - 100m BreaststrokeJoseph Blake, Jack Bugler, Bailey Conlon, Luka Willems
W - 100m BreaststrokeRylee Sayer, Genevieve Watson
M - 50m ButterflyBailey Conlon, Lance Dustow, Finn Russ, Luke Willems
W - 50m ButterflyMelissa Donoghue
M - 800m FreestyleJack Bugler (reserve), Tate Pichon
W - 800m FreestyleGenevieve Watson (reserve)
Monday - 5 JuneEvening Session (3am to 6.14am Tuesday NZST)
M & W - 200m Backstroke (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 100m Breaststroke (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 50m Butterfly (II1 + II2 + II3)
Tuesday - 6 JuneMorning Session (7pm to 9.51pm Tuesday NZST)
M - 200m FreestyleJack Bugler, Bailey Conlon, Lance Dustow, Tate Pichon, Finn Russ, Luka Willems
W - 200m FreestyleRylee Sayer, Melissa Donoghue, Genevieve Watson
M - 50m BackstrokeJoseph Blake, Lance Dustow, Tate Pichon, Finn Russ, Luka Willems
W - 50m BackstrokeGenevieve Watson
Tuesday - 6 JuneEvening Session (3am to 6.21am Wednesday NZST)
M & W - 200m Freestyle (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 50m Backstroke (II1 + II2 + II3)
Wednesday - 7 JuneMorning Session (7pm to 9.12pm Wednesday NZST)
M - 100m ButterflyLance Dustow
M - 50m FreestyleJoseph Blake, Jack Bugler, Bailey Conlon, Lance Dustow, Tate Pichon, Finn Russ, Luka Willems
W - 50m FreestyleMelissa Donoghue, Rylee Sayer, Genevieve Watson
Wednesday - 7 JuneEvening Session (3am to 6.48am Thursday NZST)
M & W - 100m Butterfly (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 50m Freestyle (II1 + II2 + II3)
Thursday - 8 JuneMorning Session (7pm to 11.20pm Thursday NZST)
M - 100m FreestyleJack Bugler, Bailey Conlon, Lance Dustow, Tate Pichon, Finn Russ, Luka Willems
W - 100m FreestyleMelissa Donoghue, Rylee Sayer, Genevieve Watson
M - 50m BreaststrokeJoseph Blake, Bailey Conlon, Luka Willems
M - 200m MedleyJoseph Blake, Luka Willems
W - 200m MedleyMelissa Donoghue, Genevieve Watson
M - 1500m FreestyleJack Bugler, Tate Pichon
Thursday - 8 JuneEvening Session (3am to 6.08am Friday NZST)
M - 1500m Freestyle
M & W 100m - Freestyle (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 50m Breaststroke (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 200m Medley (II1 + II2 + II3)
Friday - 9 JuneMorning Session (7pm to 10.38pm Friday NZST)
M - 200m Breaststroke
W - 200m BreaststrokeRylee Sayer, Genevieve Watson
M - 100m BackstrokeLance Dustow
W - 100m BackstrokeMelissa Donoghue
M - 400m FreestyleJack Bugler, Lance Dustow, Tate Pichon
W - 400m FreestyleRylee Sayer, Melissa Donoghue, Genevieve Watson
Friday - 9 JuneEvening Session (3am to 5.27am Saturday NZST)
M & W - 200m Breaststroke (II1 + II2 + II3)
M & W - 100m Backstroke (II1 + II2 + II3)

Table tennis schedule

This will be added once confirmed.