PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

No. 13: Channel 4 creates a blueprint for commercial Paralympic broadcasting
With an innovative marketing campaign and top-class Paralympic programming, Channel 4 ensured record audiences and a change in perceptions towards people with an impairment

UK Sport announces record investment in elite Paralympic sport
Ahead of Rio 2016, £70.2 million will be invested in elite Paralympic sport, an overall increase of 43 per cent

IPC Ice Sledge Hockey calls for bids for 2013 Paralympic Qualification Tournament
IPC Ice Sledge Hockey has announced bidding for the 2013 Paralympic Winter Games Qualification Tournament

Marieke Vervoort wins Belgian Paralympic Athlete of Year Award
Belgian track athlete Marieke Vervoort picked up her country's most prestigious sports award after winning gold and silver in London's Olympic Stadium

No. 14: Russia struggle through tragic loss to win
Despite their coach passing away during the tournament, the Russian Wheelchair Curling team went on to win the 2012 World Championships, making it the No. 14 moment of the year.
Cody receives Sport Leadership Award
IPC Governing Board Member Ann Cody received the Georg M Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award from the United States Olympic Foundation for her contributions to the Paralympic Movement.

Russia solidifies lead in biathlon at world cup
Russian athletes topped the rankings in four out of six categories to solidify their overall lead in the 2012-13 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup.

No. 15: Hawking calls for new age of enlightenment
The London 2012 Opening Ceremony set the tone for the Paralympics, in which audiences experienced and appreciated Paralympic sport for the first time.
USA dominate first Alpine Skiing NorAm Cup
The home team dominated the first event of the 2012-13 IPC Alpine Skiing NorAm Cup in Colorado, USA, with strong performances also from New Zealand’s Adam Hall and Canada’s Viviane Forest.

BBC Sports Personality: Martine Wright wins Helen Rollason Award
After losing her legs in the 7/7 bombings in 2005, Martine Wright got into sitting volleyball and was part of the British sitting volleyball team at the London 2012 Paralympics.