Sao Paulo 2017: what you need to know

The fourth Youth Parapan American Games will begin in 100 days in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo and will feature 1,000 athletes from 20 countries competing in 12 sports. 10 Dec 2016

Sports programme confirmed for 2017 Youth Parapan American Games

The 2017 Youth Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, will feature 12 sports: athletics, boccia, football 5-a-side, goalball, judo, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and CP Football.

ⒸIPC

By IPC

Here are five things you need to know about the Sao Paulo 2017 Youth Parapan American Games, with 100 days to go until they kick off.

1. It will be the biggest Youth Parapan American Games ever, with a record 1,000 athletes, ages 12-20, from 20 countries expected to compete in 12 sports at the new Brazilian Paralympic Centre, from 20-25 March.

2. With the addition of football 7-a-side and sitting volleyball, a record of 12 sports will make up the sports programme: athletics, boccia, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, goalball, judo, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.

3. The name of the mascot, a red howler female monkey, was decided by popular vote on the Brazilian Paralympic Committee´s Facebook page, with ´Mona´ being the most voted name.

4. The last edition of the Games took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2013, with 631 athletes from 16 countries competing in 10 sports. Brazil topped the medals table and 15 countries won at least one medal. The inaugural edition was staged in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, in 2005, with athletes from 10 countries participating, whilst 14 countries attended the event in Bogota, Colombia, in 2009.

5. In addition to organising the Games, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee will hold the Americas Paralympic Committee General Assembly in the days leading up to the Opening Ceremony.