Inclusive sports initiatives expand across the Americas

Various regional initiatives and international visits are advancing inclusive and high-performance sports across the Americas. In Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel received Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, and Michele Melissa Formonte. The visit, described by Cuban Paralympic Committee President Omara Durand as historic, aims to strengthen the development of para-sports in the country despite economic challenges.

In the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader expressed support for the Juegos Inclusivos RD 2026, an event involving over 500 athletes with disabilities to promote social integration. Meanwhile, in Mexico, Yucatán hosted the 2026 Down Syndrome Futsal World Cup, featuring 150 athletes from six nations. In Oaxaca, 36 para-athletes were selected to represent the state in the upcoming CONADE National Para-Paralympics in Jalisco.

Additionally, in Saltillo, Coahuila, local authorities provided economic incentives to athletes who competed in the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games to support their path toward the 2028 Olympics.