PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

No. 5 Young swimmers highlight season
Teenagers Chantalle Zijderveld and Ian Silverman and youngster Yevheniy Bohodayko, amongst others, put in sensational performances in 2014.

New “Our champions” campaign launched in Spain
Spanish para-cyclists star in new TV campaign which aims to show Cofidis’ commitment to Paralympic sport
Walker celebrates comeback with two wins on home snow
USA’s alpine skier Tyler Walker wins two NorAm Cup races in his hometown Aspen

Hungarian fencers set for Hong Kong World Cup
After enjoying great success at the last World Cup on home soil, Hungary is sending eight athletes to the final World Cup of 2014.

No. 21 Morganti upsets the formbook with equestrian gold in Normandy
Italian upsets multi-Paralympic champion to secure her first major career title ahead of her 10th anniversary in the sport.

USTA to stage high performance wheelchair tennis camp
Camp set to feature 14 top US wheelchair tennis players, including nine Paralympians.

No. 9 McKeever returns from fall to win gold
Canada’s Brian McKeever famously fell flat on his back during the 1km sprint race at Sochi 2014, but overtook three competitors to claim gold.

Websites for Mexico City and Almaty 2015 launched
IPC Powerlifting launched sites for regional Championships in Asia and the Americas, where fans can find out everything they need to know about the Rio 2016 qualifiers.

Jarvela wins on home snow at Vuokatti IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup
Finland’s Maija Jarvela wins women’s 12.5km biathlon standing.

Baku hosts first ever boccia national championships of Azerbaijan
IPC Vice President Andrew Parsons attended the historic event

Just days left to vote for Rio 2016 mascot names
The public have until Sunday 14 December to vote for their favourite names for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots.

No. 22 IPC innovates on digital
As digital media continues to play an important role in fan experiences, the IPC has led the way with innovative projects in 2014.

No. 18 Para-snowboard makes sensational debut
Dutch rider Bibian Mentel-Spee and the USA’s Evan Strong became the first Paralympic champions at Sochi 2014, and the sport has continued to progress.

Girona, Spain, to stage IPC's VISTA conference in October 2015
Keynote speakers will be announced shortly, but the IPC’s has called upon a broad audience to submit abstracts for consideration before 15 February 2015.

Michael Johnson welcomed as shooting athlete liaison
New Zealand’s multiple Paralympic and worlds medallist will be the voice of para-sport shooters around the world.

Morii: ‘I have no plans to retire’
Japanese quadruple Worlds gold medallist skier Taiki Morii is entering his seventh season in 2014-15, but is not considering hanging up sit-ski just yet.
Mentel-Spee: Four riders to watch in 2014-15
One of the pioneers of para-snowboard, Dutch Paralympic champion Bibian Mentel-Spee, offers her tips on the athletes to watch ahead of the 2015 Worlds.

Russian athletes dominate first day of IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup
Sochi 2014 hosts won four out of six races in biathlon sprint on Wednesday (10 December) in Vuokatti, Finland.

Paralympian appointed to UK Athletics Board
Anne Wafula-Strike joins UK Athletics as a non-executive director

Smyth and McKillop nominated for leading Irish sports award
After each winning two European titles in 2014, both make the shortlist for the RTÉ Sport Sports Person of the Year.