More delegations announced for Rio 2016

Colombia will send 37 athletes, Chile 14, Puerto Rico three and Panama two to September’s Paralympic Games. 29 Jul 2016
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Cristian Valenzuela

Chile's Cristian Valenzuela guide Cristopher Guajardo cross the line to win gold in the men's 5,000m T11 race at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

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By By NPC Colombia, NPC Chile, NPC Panama and NPC Puerto Rico

Chile, Colombia, Panama and Puerto Rico have announced their delegations for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, taking place from 7-18 September.

Colombia seek to win their second Paralympic gold after 36 years, when swimmer Pedro Mejia topped the podium in the men’s 100m breaststroke D at Arnhem 1980.

World and Parapan American athletics champion Dixon Hooker will be one to look out for, as will teammate Maritza Arango, who won silver in the women’s 1,500m T11 at last year’s World Championships.

Swimmer Carlos Serrano, who holds the 100m breaststroke SB7 world record of 1:14.68, is arguably Colombia’s main medal hope, whilst two-time cycling world champion Alvaro Galvis aims to climb onto his first Paralympic podium.

Chile will be represented by 14 athletes in Rio, where middle-distance runner Cristian Valenzuela will try to reclaim the 5,000m T11 Paralympic title he won at London 2012, the country’s only Paralympic medal so far.

As well as Valenzuela, Chile will be hoping Parapan American powerlifting gold medallist Juan Carlos Garrido can reach the podium in the men’s up to 59kg

Judoka Luis Perez, swimmer Paola Acuna and archer Ricardo Rosario will be Puerto Rico’s three athletes at Rio 2016, whilst Panama announced that shot putter Francisco Cedeno and javelin thrower Iveth Valdez will be the country’s two representatives at September’s Paralympics.

More information can be found on the Colombian Paralympic Commitee's website.

More information is available on the Chilean Paralympic Committee's website.

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs)

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.

Visa International is the exclusive payment card and the official payment system for the Paralympic Games.