Russia Launches Record-Breaking Abilympics Qualifying for People with Disabilities

Russia has kicked off the qualifying stage of the Abilympics, a national championship for people with disabilities and health limitations. The event began in St. Petersburg and the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, with competitions spanning 47 skill categories across 15 regions. This year’s qualifying round features 2,200 participants from all over Russia, including the country’s new historical regions. Competitors will battle for a spot in the 2026 National Abilympics Finals, with 735 experts from 54 regions assessing their performances. The qualifying stage will cover every federal district in Russia.

The championship is organised by regional governments, Abilympics development centres, and Russia’s Ministry of Education. The National Abilympics Centre and the presidential platform *Russia – Land of Opportunity* are also involved. For the first time, the Vologda Region, the Republic of Crimea, and the Chuvash Republic will host qualifying events. Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, highlighted the Abilympics as a platform for students and professionals with disabilities to demonstrate their skills. He noted that the competition helps participants recognise the opportunities available to them. The event is part of the federal *Professionalism* project under the *Youth and Children* national priority programme. Over 93% of Abilympics participants secure employment after taking part in the competition.

The qualifying stage will continue across all federal districts, with winners advancing to the 2026 finals. The championship aims to support career development for people with disabilities while expanding its reach to new regions. This year’s event includes more participants and venues than ever before.