RIO 2016 PARALYMPICS NEWS

New Zealand team Chef de Mission encouraged by progress in Rio
Ben Lucas impressed by the scale of work around the city as South America prepares to stage its first Paralympic Games.

Rio 2016: the qualifiers so far
In 2014, 271 Paralympic places were decided for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in 10 sports.

Rio 2016 looks ahead to a year of milestones
New venues, test events, ticket sales are just some of the milestones coming up for the organisers of South America’s first Paralympic Games

Hannah Cockcroft aiming for triple world gold in 2015
British wheelchair racing ace is hoping to win the 100m, 200m and 800m T34 at October’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Selection process underway for Rio 2016 volunteers
More than 240,000 people applied for 70,000 positions, with strong interest from the USA, Russia, China and Great Britain.

Denis Toomey announced as Chef de Mission for 2016 Irish Paralympic Team
President of Cycling Ireland will spearhead the Irish team at Rio 2016

Rio 2016 Paralympic mascot named "Tom"
Nearly 325,000 people took part in the public vote to decide the name of the Rio 2016 Paralympic mascot.

Canadian sailor’s determination has led her to Melbourne
Tracy Schmitt sold her home and everything she could not fit into her car to try realise her Rio 2016 dream.

Just days left to vote for Rio 2016 mascot names
The public have until Sunday 14 December to vote for their favourite names for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots.
World champion para-cyclists make their mark at UCI C1 event
Invercargill, New Zealand, stages its first ever UCI Para-Cycling C1 Track event

Australian McGrath embarks on second season
After winning many accolades in his debut season, Curtis McGrath is now looking ahead to Rio 2016

ITU World Para-triathlon events for 2015 revealed
Events will be held in all five continents next year as the sport gears up for its Paralympic debut at Rio 2016.

No. 30 Iranian women qualify for Rio 2016
The Iranian women’s sitting volleyball team qualified for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games for the very first time, after reaching the final at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games.

Meet the Rio 2016 mascots
Inspired by animals and plants, Rio 2016 has launched its mascots for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Rio 2016 mascot launch edges closer
Mascots from previous Games, including Mandeville from the London 2012 Paralympics have been visiting Rio ahead of Monday’s mascot launch.

Top six stories of the week – 16-22 November
Action from the football 5-a-side Worlds, banked slalom makes it debut in para-snowboard, a world record attempt and more.