PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Toronto 2015 celebrates two-year countdown
Wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy and para-cyclist Shelley Gautier helped celebrate two years until the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

Russia open new Paralympic training centre
Athletes from four different winter sports and two summer sports now have new facilities to train at in Udmurtiya, Russia.

IPC’s Annual Report 2012 showcases record-breaking year
The IPC’s Annual Report 2012 is now available for download.

Channel 4 continues Paralympics legacy
British broadcaster will be showing athletics and swimming World Champs, as well as the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.
Marieke Vervoort in battle royale with Michelle Stilwell
Belgian aiming to topple world No. 1 over 100m and 200m in Lyon.
650,000 Euros made available for development
The Agitos Foundation offers project money for members to bring on their athletes, coaches, technical officials and competitions.

Looking at Lyon: Women’s 100m T37
The women’s 100m T37 sprint will be a quick battle to the finish between France’s Mandy Francois-Elie and Namibia’s Johanna Benson.

Daniel Berry's impact on Australian sport 'significant'
Australian athlete loses his battle with cancer, but his influence on Australian para-sport will be felt for a long time yet.

Bolt, James, Diaba and Kemboi set world leads - IAAF Diamond League
Standards are raised on the track in Paris.

Seven year itch for world’s fastest Paralympian
Jason Smyth is making his World Champs comeback after missing the last in 2011, and hopes to reclaim his world titles in Lyon.

‘Just another round’ for Dartanyon Crockett
Following the buzz around ESPN’s exclusive on Dartanyon Crockett, the American judoka will now compete at the IBSA Parapan American Championships.

IPC launches first official website for NPC El Salvador
The new website, all in Spanish, will provide the NPC with a digital platform to raise awareness for the Paralympic Movement in El Salvador.

Top seeds claim Wimbledon titles
Stephane Houdet and Shingo Kunieda won the men’s doubles title, while Dutch duo Jiske Griffioen and Aniek van Koot won the women’s crown.
Sylvana Mestre: An exciting season in store
Sylvana Mestre, chairperson of the IPC Alpine Skiing Sport Technical Committee, looks ahead to the 2013/14 season and the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.

British sweep events at Hartpury Festival of Dressage
Five different riders from Great Britain won the individual and freestyle tests at the equestrian event in Gloucestershire.

Australia attempt to regain No. 1 ranking
The defending Paralympic gold medallists have already lost their spot as the top team in the wheelchair rugby world rankings.

Great Britain beat Turkey for gold in thriller
The British men’s wheelchair basketball team won the European title by just two points against Turkey.

Dutch upset Germans to take European gold
The Netherlands’ women’s wheelchair basketball team defeated Germany to take the IWBF European Wheelchair Basketball title.
Weir: I'd put money on Marcel Hug to win gold
Without David Weir in Lyon, Marcel Hug is expected to become the face of the men’s T54 class on the track and road.