PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Kazakhstan: 10 facts on the Sochi 2014 Paralympics
Having not medalled for 20 years, Kazakhstan hopes to send a much larger team to Sochi than it did four years ago to Vancouver.

IBSA Goalball Worlds schedule announced
The 2014 IBSA Goalball World Championships will take place from 30 June – 5 July in Espoo, Finland.

Canada launch #WHATSTHERE campaign
Take a look at the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s edgy new campaign leading up to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Andorra: 6 facts on the Sochi 2014 Paralympics
The small country in the Pyrenees will make its third appearance at a Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

USA nominate 10 para-snowboarders to Sochi team
Top ranked riders, including Evan Strong, Amy Purdy and Mike Shea, named to first ever para-snowboard team for Sochi 2014.

Swimming talent identification launches in New Zealand
Paralympics New Zealand launches bid to give swimmers in S1-S5 classifications more access to training, competitions and pool-space, supported by the Agitos Foundation.

Wins for Bugaev and Daldoss at Alpine World Cup
Russia’s Alexey Bugaev returns to his early season form and Italy’s Alessandro Daldoss adds wins to his World Cup campaign in giant slalom races in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Teenager Al-Maliki heads to Dubai 2014 with Rio in mind
At just the age of 16 Zahraa Al-Maliki impressed at the 2013 IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships with a gold and new Asian senior and juniors record lift.

Davis Cup showcases wheelchair tennis
France’s Stephane Houdet and the USA’s David Wagner took part in the Davis Cup activities to promote wheelchair tennis.

Europa Cup finals moved forward to Piancavallo
Races scheduled for Abtenau, Austria, will now take place in Italy from 9-10 February.
Australia announce Sochi 2014 Paralympic team
Six alpine skiers and three snowboarders are heading to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games for Australia.

Ian Silverman breaks 400m individual medley mark
Reigning 400m freestyle world and Paralympic champion Silverman provisionally shaves 0.15 seconds off SM10 world record at national competition in Richmond, USA.

Slovenia: Eight facts on the Sochi 2014 Paralympics
The Balkan nation will compete in alpine skiing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Vote now for January’s Athlete of the Month
Nominees for the award include: Alena Kaufman, Shingo Kunieda, Roman Petushkov, Markus Salcher, Anna Schaffelhuber and Mike Shea.
Five things to know: Czech Republic's sledge hockey team
With a new coach but an experienced lineup, can the Czech Republic medal for the first time at Sochi 2014?

Joint IPC Shooting and ISSF visit to Rio ‘encouraging’
Delegation in charge of visit to site of 2016 Paralympic Games leaves comfortable with progress.

Serbia: 12 facts on the Sochi 2014 Paralympics
London 2012 was a gold rush for Serbia, who have never won a medal at a Paralympic Winter Games
Sochi 2014 is ready whatever the weather
Organisers have implemented a range of innovative solutions to ensure the weather does not interfere with the Games.

Brazilian post office Corrieos to play key role in Rio 2016
More than 30 million items will need to be delivered to Rio for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Can Loyd Remi Solberg reignite Vancouver 2010 magic?
After ups and downs due to injury, the Norwegian sledge hockey forward hopes to keep his team’s medal streak alive.