PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Defending Para canoe champions advance to semifinals
The first day of the 2016 ICF Para Canoe World Championships got underway in Duisburg, Germany.

Canada name ‘richly talented’ skiers to 2016-17 team
Twelve skiers will fight for World Championships glory as well as World and regional Cup podiums.

McLean added to Rio 2016 New Zealand swimming team
Teenager Hamish McLean will join the likes of Sophie Pascoe and Mary Fisher on the plane to Brazil in September.

Five US shooters earn 2016 Paralympic team nominations
Mike Tagliapietra, McKenna Dahl, army marksman John Joss, Jazmin Almlie-Ryan and Tammy Delano will all make their Paralympic debuts at Rio 2016.

Rio 2016 unveils boccia venue
The Carioca Arena 2 will also host judo and wrestling competitions during the Olympic Games.

Sport week: Classification in athletics
There are 10 eligible impairment types in athletics: eight physical impairments as well as visual impairment and intellectual impairment.

Gomes hopes strong test event will secure his Rio 2016 place
The 30-year-old is hoping to defend his 200m T11 Paralympic title in September as part of the Brazilian team.

Australia announces shooters for Rio 2016 Paralympics
Paralympians Libby Kosmala and Natalie Smith are among the six to represent Australia in September’s Games.

Chaffey, Daniel continue to shine in Yokohama
Australian Bill Chaffey and Canadian Stefan Daniel won their respective classes at the World Para triathlon Event, showing strong form ahead of Rio 2016.

Best of British swimming heading to Rio 2016
Big names such as Eleanor Simmonds and triple European champion Ollie Hynd highlight the squad of 31 for the coming Paralympic Games.

Eight world champions set to represent Great Britain at Grosseto 2016
The British team for the 2016 IPC Athletics European Championships in Italy features 49 athletes.

Rio 2016 uniforms unveiled
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee launched the uniforms staff and volunteers will be wearing at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

US Paralympics names Arena as official supplier for swimming team
The popular swimwear brand will provide swimsuits for the US team for the next two years.

Toronto to host 2017 Men’s U23 World Championships
The next crop of wheelchair basketball talent from 12 nations are set to battle in Canada.

Sport week: Intro to athletics
Here are the basics about the most popular sport on the Paralympic programme.

‘Reputation’ at stake for Anne Dickins in Para canoe World Champs
The 2014 World champion and reigning European champion is among those to watch in Duisburg, Germany.

Hipolito feels at home in new training set-up
The 19-year-old, who will compete at this week’s IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Rio, changed coaches in February.

Hat-trick of wins for George, Van der Horst in Mannheim
The Belgian and Dutch riders swept their events at the three-star competition in Mannheim, Germany.

Queen Letizia awards NPC Spain with the Red Cross Gold Medal
The Spanish National Paralympic Committee received the distinction during a ceremony held at the Congress Palace in Albacete.
Sport week: Football 5 star Ricardinho talks music and his love of The Beatles
When he is not training for Rio 2016, Brazil´s football 5 star likes playing “the guitar, the piano and a little bit of violin.”