It becomes the 90th member of Virtus, formerly known as the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability.

"We are happy to be a part of the Virtus family," said National Paralympic Committee President Daiga Dadzite.

"This will be a great opportunity for all the people with intellectual impairment in Latvia, and we are very proud to be the one and only organisation in Latvia, which will take care of these future athletes. 

"We do hope that our participation in the Virtus movement will change the attitudes and perceptions of society in Latvia and break stereotypes of people with intellectual impairment."

Membership of Virtus has grown substantially in recent years and now includes 84 nations and six other organisations.

Its draft strategic plan, recently published for consultation, is set to allow membership to grow further. 

"We are delighted to welcome Latvia to our family," said Virtus President Marc Truffaut.

"Each year we see more nations not only coming into membership, but supporting our extensive sport and competition programme and over the coming years we are committed to growing this further."