PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Rio 2016 Paralympic mascot named "Tom"
Nearly 325,000 people took part in the public vote to decide the name of the Rio 2016 Paralympic mascot.

A day in the life of New Zealand’s tandem para-cyclists
Emma Foy and Laura Fairweather and give an insight into a typical day as they prepare for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Top six stories of the week – 7-13 December
Announcements, launches and sport made this week’s headlines.

Alpine skiing Europa Cups to begin in Austria
IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cups in Pitztal and Kuhtai, Austria, will see skiers compete in the first European races in slalom, giant slalom and super-combined.

Selection camp announced for Canadian wheelchair basketball team
Roster includes 21 players all hoping to make the national men’s team for August’s Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games

Alana Nichols targets Paralympic gold in third sport
After winning gold in wheelchair basketball and alpine skiing, Nichols is now trying to make the US para-canoe team for Rio 2016.

No. 19 Most successful shooting Worlds in history
As well as a record number of athletes and countries, IPC Shooting also delivered progress in a number of areas.

Ukraine's Reptyukh upsets Paralympic champion with World Cup win
Reptyukh beat two out of three Sochi 2014 Paralympic medallists to win the men’s 10km cross country in Vuokatti, Finland.

US Paralympics name Cycling National Team for 2015
Highlights of the 2015 season will include World Championships in track and road para-cycling

No. 20 Schaffelhuber wins five-out-of-five in Sochi
Germany’s Anna Schaffelhuber became only the second woman to win all five alpine skiing events at a Paralympic Games.

Canadian sailor’s determination has led her to Melbourne
Tracy Schmitt sold her home and everything she could not fit into her car to try realise her Rio 2016 dream.

IFDS Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships launched
Event will take place in Melbourne, Australia, starting in November 2015

Egypt’s Ibrahim Hamato to receive special award
Para-table tennis player became global YouTube sensation after a video of him playing the sport using his mouth to hold the racket went viral.

‘Young Potential’ course a success for fifth-year
The annual event held in France has this year led to the introduction of three new versions for different athletes and sports.

Para-alpine skiing – standing vs. sitting category! Which one is faster?
The top speed in the sitting category of para-alpine skiing is 115 km/h whereas athletes in the standing category can reach speeds up to 125 km/h!

No. 5 Young swimmers highlight season
Teenagers Chantalle Zijderveld and Ian Silverman and youngster Yevheniy Bohodayko, amongst others, put in sensational performances in 2014.

New “Our champions” campaign launched in Spain
Spanish para-cyclists star in new TV campaign which aims to show Cofidis’ commitment to Paralympic sport
Walker celebrates comeback with two wins on home snow
USA’s alpine skier Tyler Walker wins two NorAm Cup races in his hometown Aspen

Hungarian fencers set for Hong Kong World Cup
After enjoying great success at the last World Cup on home soil, Hungary is sending eight athletes to the final World Cup of 2014.

No. 21 Morganti upsets the formbook with equestrian gold in Normandy
Italian upsets multi-Paralympic champion to secure her first major career title ahead of her 10th anniversary in the sport.