Ireland's first Fitness Inclusion Games, inspired by the popular CrossFit and Hyrox fitness competitions, will take place in Dublin.
The event, organised by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), follows a pilot programme first organised in Drogheda, Co Louth, that has grown into a national movement.
The organisers said the games mark a major milestone in the IWA’s Fitness Inclusion Project and the initiative is transforming lives as well as the perceptions surrounding fitness and disability.
Over 100 athletes from across the country will take part in the inclusive team competitions at Sport Ireland’s National Indoor Arena in Dublin today.
The competitions have been adapted for people with disabilities.
The IWA said the games will bring people with disabilities together in a "celebration of strength, community and inclusion".
The project was initiated following a 100km fundraising challenge which was launched by IWA Eastern Region Area Manager, Declan Hamilton in 2022.
Mr Hamilton, a fitness enthusiast, said the response from IWA members during that event laid the foundation for the pilot programme in Drogheda.
He said: "Many of the young adults who came to support me had never been inside a gym before. They absolutely loved it. That’s when I knew we had something special".
Mr Hamilton said he then approached a local CrossFit gym in Drogheda, which "embraced the opportunity to learn and adapt workouts for people with disabilities and the Fitness Inclusion Project was born".
From just eight participants in the original pilot, the programme now includes members of all ages from locations such as Dublin, Galway, Longford and the greater north east area.
Mr Hamilton said the physical and mental health benefits that the participants get from the programme is "profound".
He said: "This isn’t about trends or quick fixes. It’s about giving people with disabilities the tools to build lifelong, healthy habits that boost physical and mental wellbeing".
The IWA has said its goal is to make the programme available in every county in Ireland.
