2005 CP-ISRA World Championships.

The 2005 Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) World Championships for athletes with cerebral palsy-related physical disabilities, hosted by the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA), finished an impressive ten days of competition which brought nearly 1000 athletes from 33 countries together to compete for top honors at Connecticut College and other locations in Connecticut, as well as Queens, New York.

The CP-ISRA World Championships, held June 30-July 10, marked the first time the event was held in the United States and featured top-level competition in bowls, cycling, pentathlon, powerlifting, slalom, soccer, swimming, table tennis, and track and field. The event showcased athletic talents of all who participated and resulted in an impressive 32 world records, including 7 in swimming, 20 in track and field, and 5 in powerlifting.

"Sometimes you think of people with disabilities and you think about what they can't do," said Bill Wilkie, World Championships Games Director. "Anyone who looks at these athletes and focuses on their disabilities is missing the real story. We couldn't have asked for a more successful event," Wilkie said. "Not only did the athletes get a chance to show the world what they are capable of doing, but spectators were also given a first-hand opportunity to appreciate the amazing skills these athletes possess."

A sense of determination and enthusiasm lasted throughout the week as athletes strove to do their personal bests, while also working to cheer on teammates, as well as other countries' competitors. Athletes ended the competition with a sense of camaraderie, as well as feelings of accomplishment and success. Athletes competing at the CP-ISRA World Championships typically have cerebral palsy, are stroke survivors, or have traumatic brain injuries. Yet, the tenacity and dedication these competitors have for their sports illustrate a level of passion and hard work not often matched in the able-bodied sports community.

Along with its individual and competition success stories, the World Championships also proved a success in the way it was run. Catering to the needs of nearly 1000 athletes with physical challenges from varied cultures was a challenge that was met successfully by the National Disability Sports Alliance, the host committee, and the Championships' hundreds of volunteers.

"Hosting the United States' first CP-ISRA World Championships created a sense of commitment among all those involved," said NDSA Executive Director Jerry McCole. "While the challenges were sometimes daunting, I feel that everyone--paid staff and volunteers--rose to the occasion and accomplished a very difficult goal much in the same way these athletes do every time they compete."

The event was proud to welcome an extraordinary list of dignitaries to its Honorary Advisory Board. Drew Bennett, a wide receiver for the National Football League's Tennessee Titans; Tony Award winner Betty Buckley; Emmy-winning actor Gordon Clapp; Edward "Teddy" Kennedy, Jr., a distinguished lawyer and leader in the civil rights movement for persons with disabilities; five-time Olympic Medal winning swimmer John Naber; three-time Olympic equestrian Jessica Ransehousen; and world-famous Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan head the list of Advisory Board members.

The National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) is responsible for conduct and administration of approved sports in the United States. NDSA formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships in twelve sports, disseminates safety, and sports medicine information, and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competition. NDSA is a CBO (Community Based Organization) member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). For a more detailed account of the CP-ISRA World Championships, readers are encouraged to visit the cover story in PALAESTRA, 21(4), 20-27.