PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Colourful and joyous – Rio knows how to put on a show
The Maracana stadium hosted a spectacular Opening Ceremony for the Paralympics on Wednesday (September 8).

Ukraine aim to reclaim football 7 Paralympic title
After winning silver at London 2012, world No.1 Ukraine will be the strong favourite to reclaim in Rio the Paralympic title they won at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Rio 2016 preview: table tennis
The 29 table tennis medal events will be contested at the Riocentro Pavilion 3 venue on 8-17 September.

Ibrahim Al-Hussein revealed as flag bearer for IPA Team
The swimmer, who lost his leg in a bombing in Syria, will be the first athlete to enter the Maracana Stadium at the Opening Ceremony.

Lin Ma targets table tennis trifecta
Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Ma Lin admits he has not had the best preparation leading up to the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Rio 2016 preview: Wheelchair basketball
Who will come out on top at Rio 2016? Here’s our look ahead to all the wheelchair basketball action at the Paralympic Games.

Rio 2016 preview: cycling track
Get the lowdown on a series of brilliant races and all the breath-taking action set for the Rio Olympic Velodrome between 15 and 18 September.

30 Paralympians to create Samsung Paralympic Blogger videos in Rio
In addition to creating standard-format Samsung Paralympic Blogs with a Samsung Galaxy S7, 30 of the world’s top Paralympians at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will give an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into their lives with 360 vlogs.

Rio 2016 preview: goalball
Men’s world champions Brazil will begin their quest for Paralympic gold v Sweden, whilst women’s London 2012 gold medallists Japan will make their debut v Israel.

Agitos Foundation looks ahead to ground-breaking Paralympics
With the release of the final road to Rio 2016 athlete stories, the IPC’s development arm is confident Rio 2016 will be a landmark Paralympics for Para sport development.
Cuba’s Omara Durand dreaming of the Paralympic podium
The world’s fastest female Paralympian is a strong contender for three titles at Rio 2016 – but her focus is on her preparation.

Araujo set to compete at her first Paralympics
Supported by the Agitos Foundation, the 17-year-old swimmer is on the way to accomplish her biggest dream.

Shooters aim for glory at Rio 2016
Nearly 150 athletes from more than 40 countries are in Brazil to vie for gold medals at the Olympic Shooting Centre.

Games on! Brazil welcomes the Paralympics
IPC President promises Rio 2016 will “surprise, inspire and excite” as he hails the start of the ‘People’s Games’ at Maracana extravaganza.

Rio 2016 Para Athletics Prediction Panel – part two
With just a day to go until the Para athletics action gets underway at the Olympic stadium we pose three more questions to our Prediction Panel.

Rio 2016 preview: judo
The sport will make its eighth Paralympic appearance and will be contested in the Carioca Arena 3 in the Barra Olympic Park.

The Opening Ceremony: 10 things you need to know
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be launched at the Maracana with organisers promising a spectacular show and plenty of surprises.
Ekrem Gundogdu named Athlete of the Month
The Turkish goalball player led his team to a strong showing at the Malmo Men Intercup ahead of the Paralympic Games.

Para equestrian: Q&A with Alfonsina Maldonado
Get to know the Uruguayan grade IV rider ahead of Rio 2016.

Darwin Castro seeks Ecuador’s first Paralympic medal
The 23-year-old runner, who will compete in the 1,500m and 5,000m T11 at the Rio Paralympics, says athletics makes him “feel alive”.