By Duncan Mackay

Flying disc has been recognised by the International Paralympic Committee ©YouTubeFlying disc could one day be a Paralympic sport following the decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to recognise the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF).


The WFDF has been granted the status of an IPC recognised international federation, the first step on the path to joining the Games. 

IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez signed the letter confirming the approval of WFDF's application sent last month outlining wheelchair ultimate activities in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany and Japan.

The WFDF is already recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a member of The Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations, SportAccord and the International World Games Association

"This is a great milestone for WFDF to receive International Paralympic Committee recognition and be welcomed into the IPC family," said WFDF President Robert Rauch.

"The recognition granted by the IPC will greatly help with our efforts to grow wheelchair ultimate and disc golf, adding a Paralympic dimension to our list of flying disc disciplines."

During WFDF's annual Congress, it was revealed that several member countries already had wheelchair ultimate initiatives.

Developing wheelchair ultimate, which is based on ultimate with points being scored by passing the disc to a teammate in the opposing end zone, was one of the main decisions taken by the WFDF at its Congress in Toronto last year. 

Disc golf, meanwhile, involves players throwing a disc at a target

"WFDF will be creating a WFDF wheelchair ultimate workgroup and also working with the Professional Disc Golf Association to establish a global set of competition rules and classification regulations to support the further development of wheelchair ultimate and wheelchair disc golf respectively," said Rauch.

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