On the western shores of Connecticut’s Thames River, approximately 1,000 athletes from 36 countries have converged at Connecticut College in New London, CT, to participate in the 2005 Cerebral Palsy – International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) World Championships.

Tahitian Noni International-sponsored athlete Christopher Scott is competing at these games and so far in his time trials for the1km, 3000m pursuit and the 3000m he has blasted past the competition and come in first each time – often by a large margin!

Chris believes that the addition of TAHITIAN NONI® Juice to his training regimen three years ago has helped him continue to beat much younger cyclists. “In early 2002 I started drinking TAHITIAN NONI Juice six weeks prior to going to Europe for two international competitions. Taking a supply of TAHITIAN NONI Juice on the flight helped me arrive in Europe without suffering the effects of jet lag. While in Europe, I traveled through various countries with varied climates while competing and training at high intensity. During this period I drank TAHITIAN NONI Juice which helped keep my immune system at a level that prevented me from becoming sick. I also used TAHITIAN NONI Juice to aid in recovery at a competition where I had to compete in several events in one day.  TAHITIAN NONI Juice has become a vital part of my sporting life.”

Chris earned the title and award of 2002 Senior Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year and is one of Australia’s most successful cyclists. Chris has been to four Paralympic Games and won back-to-back gold medals. Chris also holds the Order of Australia Medal for his sporting achievements.

The Championships, featuring athletes with cerebral palsy-related physical disabilities, ran from June 27 to July 10. The event included competitions in the sports of Bowls, Cross Country, Cycling, Powerlifting, Slalom, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Track & Field. It was all hosted by the National Disability Sports Alliance, the governing body responsible for the conduct and administration of approved sports for athletes with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in the United States.

“I have more respect for these athletes than I do for the professionals,” said Gintas Krisciunas, a volunteer staff member and former track athlete and member of Americorp.  “They have had to work so much harder to get here, and their energy and tenacity is inspiring.”

The Championships utilize multiple venues, including the Connecticut College campus, the Kissena Velodrome in New York City, Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, CT, and Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT. 

This year’s CP-ISRA World Championships are being hosted by NDSA, the governing body responsible for the conduct and administration of approved sports for athletes with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in the United States. It marks the first time in history that the Championships are being held in the United States.