Cook Islands marks historic debut at 2025 Virtus World Athletics

The Cook Islands is marking a momentous milestone in inclusive sport, with its first-ever team to compete at the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships in Brisbane, Australia.

The moment represents more than just athletic achievement; it is a story of connection, pride, and representation for people with intellectual disabilities.

Marie Williams, the Programme Manager for Athletics Cook Islands, will lead the team as the coach of the Virtus Cook Islands squad.

In an interview on PMN Cook Islands, Williams says the milestone achievement is about more than just sports; it signifies connection, inclusion, and pride for the Cook Islands.

“To have the Australian High Commissioner [to Cook Islands] come in to acknowledge our athletes, it’s really awesome,” William says as the athletes were presented with pins and specially made travel packs.

“It’s a reminder of how we’re building bridges across the Pacific - and what a beautiful way to do that through sport.”

Watch Marie Williams' full interview below.

The Virtus Championships will end on 15 October. It is a major international event for athletes with intellectual impairments, featuring more than 300 participants from over 30 countries competing across a full athletics programme.

This year marks the 11th edition of the championships, managed by Sport Inclusion Australia in partnership with Queensland Athletics, the Brisbane City Council, the Queensland State Government, and the Australian Federal Government. It returns to Australia 20 years after it was last held in Canberra.

The Cook Islands will be represented by three athletes with autism: 18-year-olds Aporo Vano and Metua Vaiimene, and 20-year-old Metua Douglas. They will compete in the IL3 Shot Put and Discus events.

The three Cook Islands Virtus athletes receiving a blessing ahead of their departure from Rarotonga. Photo/Cook Islands Sports/Facebook

Behind the Cook Islands team’s debut is months of preparation, including a live-in training camp and regular sessions at the national stadium to help athletes gain independence and confidence ahead of international travel and competition.

“If you know autism, it's really hard to get our boys or anyone with autism to fit in with somebody else...they do training three days a week at the stadium,” Williams says.

“They get to train and watch our national athletes training as well...the support that we get from the communities...it's nice, it's humbling.”

In anticipation of the championships, Cook Islands Sport honoured the athletes with a blessing and farewell ceremony held at the Cook Islands Sports and Olympic Committee (CISNOC) Office in Rarotonga.

Cook Islands News reports that Vano spoke at the ceremony and shared how rewarding it was for them to overcome challenges during the “hard training sessions”. He says that growth, strength, self-belief, and trust in their coaches were some of the biggest lessons learned.

CISNOC said in a social media post, “We are inspired by the courage and dedication of our athletes and the inclusive spirit of this campaign. Your journey reminds us all of the power of sport to create inclusive opportunities, belonging, and pride for all our people.”

Williams acknowledges the ongoing support from Sport Inclusion Australia, Natalia and Iaveta Short and their family, Autism Cook Islands, and the local and global Cook Islands communities.

“One win for one person is a win for all of us,” she says. “It’s who we are as people of the Cook Islands, as people of Pasifika. Like the saying in Lilo and Stitch goes, ‘Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind’.”

Virtus organisers said they had hoped Thursday night’s opening ceremony would showcase how Brisbane and Australia are “leaders in inclusion, diversity, and respect”.

Thursday’s opening also honoured First Nations, the indigenous people of Australia, through a powerful Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony and traditional dance performances, followed by the Athlete Parade accompanied by the Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band and St Joseph’s College Band.

Graeme Isaako, known for competing on reality performance shows like So You Think You Can Dance and The Voice Australia, will MC for the night, featuring indigenous cultural performances by Fred Leone - Yimiri Gundir.

Audiences enjoyed Pacific dances and drumming by Papua New Guinea’s Logohu Bird of Paradise and Mr Mr Australia, celebrating the first-time participation of some Oceania countries.

The 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships runs from 11 to 15 October, with free entry. Tickets are available here.