The Quebec 2003 IBSA World Championships and Games met all expectations, following as they did the first edition in Madrid, Spain, in 1997.
Organised by the Canadian Blind Sports Association and Sports Internationaux De Quebec, six sports were hosted in venues across Quebec City.
The Opening Ceremony, which saw athletes march on the track of the Stade Exterieur, was held at Laval University. An incredible 813 athletes from 57 countries competed in powerlifting, judo, goalball, swimming, athletics and cycling. Judo and goalball athletes got the chance to compete in the year before the Athens 2004 Paralympics, and qualify.
Seven golds were taken by seven countries in judo, showing the global competitiveness of the sport. The debut of women’s events at the Athens 2004 Paralympics the following year also resulted in a 68 per cent increase in female participation from the 1997 IBSA World Games.
An impressive 35 world records were broken in athletics and swimming.
Spain ran away at the top of the medals table with 91 in total, including 29 golds. Hosts Canada finished second, delighting their home crowds with 21 golds. Russia finished third with 17.
