PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Swimming Classification Advisory Group meets
The group’s main focus was the technical and administrative components of classification as well as recertification for classifiers.
Podium finishes give Suzuki renewed confidence
The Japanese sit-skier will compete at his home World Cup and the PyeongChang 2018 Test Event in March.

Beatrice Vio wins 2017 Laureus Award
The Italian wheelchair fencer won the prestigious award following an incredible Paralympics debut at Rio 2016.

Wheelchair basketball European men’s groups decided
The 2015 medallists Great Britain, Turkey and Germany were drawn in the same group for this year’s Championships.

Portugal’s Sporting CP claims Malmo Open goalball title
The Portuguese club went undefeated in Sweden.
Ukraine and France land gold in cross-country relays
The mixed relay was won by the Ukrainian team, whilst France topped the podium in the open relay at the World Championships in Finsterau, Germany.

Para table tennis leaders meet in Brondby
The heads of the ITTF’s Para table tennis division met in Denmark to discuss the busy year ahead.

Riders continue winning run at World Cup
Newly crowned world champions added to their World Cup points hauls on Wednesday (15 February), in La Molina, Spain.

Ten Para athletes looking to make up for lost time
After maybe performing as well as they had hoped at Rio 2016, here are 10 athletes looking to put the record straight at July’s World Championships.

Riders recognised for 2016 performances
Pepo Puch, Stinna Tange Kaastrup and Sanne Voets were among the athletes receiving honours from their nations.

“We are showing the joy of life through sport”
A profile of Germany’s Heinrich Popow, a man determined to spread the word about the Paralympic Movement both on and off the track.

Swimmers to represent Portugal at opening World Series
A trio of athletes, including triple Paralympian David Grachat, will compete in Copenhagen, Denmark from 11-12 March.

Para athletes - Ever thought of working as a CEO?
The Adecco Group – a global Fortune 500 company – offers athletes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as CEO for One Month.

Germany celebrate double individual gold in Finsterau
The home crowd was ecstatic as Martin Fleig and Anja Wicker raced to victory in the men's and women's biathlon individual sitting at the World Championships.

The priest who acts as timekeeper in Finsterau
Bernhard Kraus, priest at the local church, volunteers at the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in Germany.

British Para Table Tennis Performance squad announced
The line-up for 2017 includes some new faces including Paralympic, world and European champions.

Edlinger family celebrates world title in Finsterau
Father Josef and mother Marien cheered for their children Carina and her brother guide Julian as they took gold at the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships.
Seven qualities that make a successful athlete guide
Guides from Norway, Ukraine and Germany shared their thoughts whilst they compete at the 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships.

Para cycling: A brief history of the sport
Ahead of the World Championships in LA, find out more about Para cycling.

Late-comer Narita reflects on shaking up the podium
The Japanese snowboarder is keeping the men’s SB-LL2 on their toes-edges ahead of PyeongChang 2018.