PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Paralympic champion to cycle world for charity
Great Britain’s David Smith, who won gold in rowing at London 2012, now plans to cycle 29,000km around the world for charity.

Hunter Track Classic to feature team pursuit
Wheelchair racers such as Richard Colman, Michelle Stilwell and Christie Dawes will compete in a unique two-team pursuit on the track.

What to watch: February
Here’s a brief run-down of the top Paralympic sporting events around the world to keep your eyes on in February.

IPC announces January’s Athlete of the Month shortlist
Nominees for January’s IPC Athlete of the Month include: Henrieta Farkasova, Kozo Kubo, Shingo Kunieda, Evan Strong and Aniek van Koot.

Polish Ice Sledge Hockey player suspended after Anti-Doping Rule Violation
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that the Polish Ice Sledge Hockey player Piotr Truszkowski has been suspended for one year for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation at 2012 World Championships.

Sledge Spotlight: Pavel Kubes
Czech defenseman Pavel Kubes will limit himself on social media this season so he can focus purely on the upcoming ice sledge hockey World Championships.

IPC Shooting adopts new rule changes for 2013
IPC Shooting aims to increase the competitiveness for athletes and attractiveness for spectators by introducing new rule changes for 2013.

Poland’s Flis to take sledge hockey break
Poland’s player-coach Sylwester Flis, who was MVP at the Salt Lake 2002 Games, will leave the sport to have surgery.

IPC Shooting adopts new rule changes for 2013
IPC Shooting aims to increase the competitiveness for athletes and attractiveness for spectators by introducing new rule changes for 2013.

IWRF to hold European Qualifier
The Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands will all try to qualify for the wheelchair rugby European Championships.