PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Lex Gillette: Message ‘four’ you
London 2012 silver medallist Lex Gillette of USA blogs about how the next four-year journey begins now.

Top 50 Paralympic Moments of 2012
Starting on Monday (12 November), the IPC will count down the Top 50 Paralympic Moments of 2012.

44th anniversary of 1968 Games
Here’s a look back at the Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games, which were held 44 years ago this week.

Finland, Norway qualify for Wheelchair Curling Worlds
Both Finland and Norway advanced to February’s Wheelchair Curling World Championships after finishing in the top two at the qualifying event.

NPCs receive piece of London 2012 cauldron
All 164 nations that participated in the London 2012 Games will received a handmade copper petal from the Paralympic cauldron.

Freney named Australia’s Paralympian of the Year
With eight golds at London 2012, swimmer Jacqueline Freney was named Australia’s Paralympian and Female Athlete of the Year, as Evan O’Hanlon won Male Athlete of the Year.

Finland, Norway, Latvia, Italy move on
The top four teams at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualification event have advanced to the playoff round.

Colin Lynch: Falling
Irish para-cyclist Colin Lynch blogs about getting back on the bike after failing to medal at London 2012.

IPC pays tribute to Paralympic pioneer Blomqwist
Birgitta Blomqwist, a key player in transforming the classification system has passed away. The IPC pays tribute to her and mourns her loss.

Sochi 2014 holds World Press Briefing
The Sochi 2014 organising committee invited the world’s press and media representatives to Russia this week for a brief orientation.

Selyukin to spur on Russian sledge hockey squad
Vadium Selyukin has gone through a lot in his life en route to becoming captain of Russia’s team for their first ice sledge hockey World Championships next week.

Houdet, Kunieda to headline Wheelchair Tennis Masters
France’s Stephane Houdet and Shingo Kunieda will fight for the men’s title, while Esther Vergeer’s withdrawal leaves the women’s competition wide open.

Switzerland knocks off Italy
Switzerland gave Italy its first defeat, Finland picked up three victories and Denmark remained winless at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualification tournament.

Yannick Bourseaux: The dual-sport athlete
Immediately after winning the para-triathlon world title, Yannick Bourseaux left New Zealand, returning to France to prepare for Sochi 2014.

British Paralympians showcase wheelchair tennis
London 2012 Paralympians Gordon Reid and Marc McCarroll put on a brief wheelchair tennis demo during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Turkey sweeps to 1st major international win
Turkey got its first win at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualifications, as Italy moved to a perfect 5-0 record at the event.

Guttmann play touring nationally in UK
“The Incredible Doctor Guttmann” is a theatrical play currently sharing the story of the founder of the Paralympic Games.

Australian Paralympian of the Year finalists announced
Matt Cowdrey, Jacqueline Freney, Evan O’Hanlon, Kelly Cartwright, Felicity Johnson and Ryley Batt are all up for the prestigious Australian award.

Finland, Italy unbeaten at Wheelchair Curling Qualification
After the first two days of competition at the World Wheelchair Curling Qualification event, Finland and Italy are the only teams without a loss.

Wheelchair curling teams aim for qualification
The top two finishers from this weekend’s World Wheelchair Curling Qualification tournament will advance to next year’s World Championships in Sochi, Russia.