Australian sport diplomacy leader takes global role representing athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Sport Inclusion Australia is proud to announce that Chief Executive Officer Robyn Smith OAM has been elected President of Virtus – the International Sport Federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Smith becomes the first woman in the organisation’s 40-year history to hold this role, following her previous term as Vice President. The election took place at the Virtus General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt over the weekend, where members from all five regions gathered to shape the future direction of the organisation.
“To stand as the first female President of Virtus is an honour and a responsibility,” Smith said.
“I have a vision in my sight, to grow and strengthen the Virtus membership, to open doors for under-representated nations and athletes, to work hand in hand with the International Federations to ensure sport is inclusive for athletes with an intellectual impairment – adopting the Athlete-first principle in everything we do.”
Virtus – formerly INAS – is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee and today represents nearly 100 nations and over half a million athletes worldwide. Through its eligibility pathway, 100% of Paralympic athletes competing in the intellectual impairment classes enter the Paralympic movement via Virtus.
“Virtus is a family bound by passion for the athletes,” Smith said. “Our role is to ensure every athlete is seen, heard and included.”
A proud moment for Australia and the Oceania region
Smith’s election is a significant milestone for Australia. For more than three decades, she has led the growth of inclusive sport across the Oceania region—supporting athletes, developing national programs and building partnerships with Pacific nations, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and more recently Africas. Under her leadership, Australia is seen as a global leader in inclusion and sport diplomacy, delivering major initiatives such as the Included Through Sport and Empower Her Through Sport programs for women and girls, regional communities and social-impact projects that have expanded Virtus membership and pathways.
Her presidency strengthens Australia’s voice on the world stage at a critical time in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to equity, representation and high-performance opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Paying tribute to those who paved the way
In her acceptance speech, Smith honoured the six Presidents before her and reflected on the legacy of her long-time mentor, Marie Little OAM, who employed her more than 35 years ago and encouraged her first steps into Virtus governance.
“Marie would be proud to know that, after all these years, Virtus now has a female President – and that this President is one of her disciples,” Smith said.
“Marie had a huge passion for the power of sport to improve lives and she taught me that we must focus on the person first – on strength and ability rather than labels.”
Marie Little served on the Virtus Governing Board 1986 to 2011 and was a former President of Paralympics Australia, leaving an enduring mark on inclusive sport nationally and internationally.
Continuing her leadership on the global stage, Smith is a current member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board and has also nominated for re-election. Elections were due to have taken place at the IPC General Assembly in Korea in September but have been deferred to the 20th of November and will take place online.
At 14 she was selected to represent Australia at the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane, at 15 she represented Australia again at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France and now at the young age of 16, Telaya Blacksmith will become a Paralympian when she competes at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the sport of athletics.
Telaya won’t be alone in Paris with coach Anula Costa and her family also travelling to be there to watch and support her. Costa hopes to attend the pre games camp in Montpelier where she will be able to work with Telaya and Australian team coaches. Mum (Bec), Dad (Ryan), 2 brothers (Carson and Sonny), sister (Tilly) along with Uncle Luke are also making the trip to France and hope to arrive before her first event. Younger brother Sonny can’t leave until after his football Grand Final so someone will stay home with him and then get on the next flight out which is scheduled to arrive just 5 hours before his big sister’s first event.
Selection in the Australian Paralympic team is a dream come true for Melbourne’s Annabelle Colman. She started running, a sport she shares with her father Alan when she was 15 years old. Just 5 years later she has been selected for her first Paralympics.
