Mexico City 2017: 1 month to go

What you need to know about the World Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting Championships 30 Aug 2017

two Para powerlifters, two Para swimmers and a cartoon jaguar

Mexico City 2017 is the first time two major Para sport events have been held together

ⒸGetty Images

By IPC

With one month to go until the World Para Powerlifting and World Para Swimming Championships kick off in Mexico City, here are 10 things you should know.

1. The World Para Swimming Championships and World Para Powerlifting Championships will make up the 2017 Para Sport Festival.

2. It is the first time that two of the biggest Para sport competitions have been held together.

3. It is also the first time that Mexico City is staging a World Championships for either sport, with the competition taking place from 30 September-6 October.

4. Around 550 swimmers from more than 60 countries are expected to compete at the Francisco Marquez Olympic Swimming Pool, while 360 powerlifters from 65 countries will gather in the Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium.

5. Both of the venues used for the 2017 Para Sport Festival, the Francisco Marquez Olympic Swimming Pool and the Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium, were built for the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.

6. The public has voted for Jahuari the Jaguar as the name of the mascot. 'Huari' means 'heart' in nahuatl (language spoken by Aztecs). Jaguars are native to the Americas, one of the world’s most admired felines and an important part in Aztec and Mayan mythologies.

7. A total of 24,500 tickets have gone on sale and cost MXN 100 (around USD 5.50) for each day, including Para powerlifting competition and Para Swimming morning and evening sessions. Tickets can be purchased from anywhere in the world on Super Boletos’ website. Mexican citizens can also get theirs at different ticket counters such as Tiendas Innova Sport, Palacio de Hierro, Farmacias del Ahorro and Soriana. They will also be sold on-site during the 2017 Para Sport Festival.

8. It will be the seventh edition of the World Para Powerlifting Championships and the first to be held in the Americas. At the same time, it will be the eighth edition of the World Para Swimming Championships and the third to be held in the Americas after Mar del Plata 2003 and Montreal 2013.

9. Mexico City is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and the second most populous city in the Americas behind Sao Paulo, Brazil, with around 9 million people living.

10. The legendary Teotihuacan Pyramids, built around 100BC, are only 40km away from Mexico City and are a must-see tourist attraction.