PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

O’Neill named U.S. Chef de Mission for Sochi 2014
Around 77 athletes expected to represent Team USA next March in Russia.

Four individuals to receive Paralympic Order in Athens
Find out which four individuals have made the biggest contributions to the Paralympic Movement.
IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships to kick off
The event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will be the last major stop for powerlifters prior to next year’s World Championships.

Japan are runaway winners at Asian Youth Para Games
The Asian Youth Para Games came to a close, with Japan, Iran and China finishing in the top three in the medal standings.

Bangkok 2013: Top 10 archery athletes to watch
The field of medal contenders is wide open for the World Archery Para-Championships, which begin on Friday (1 November).

Teams head to IBSA Goalball European Championships
Finland’s men and Denmark’s women will enter next week’s event as the favourites to win European titles.
Andrea Macri: From roof collapse to two Paralympics
Italy’s Andrea Macri finished fourth in wheelchair fencing at the London 2012 Paralympics and is now heading to Sochi 2014 to compete in ice sledge hockey.

Japan surging ahead at Asian Youth Para Games
With a day to go, Japan, Iran and China lead the medal standings at the Asian Youth Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Iran’s Zahra Nemati acts as role model of Muslim women
With more Muslim women taking part in Paralympic sport, Iran is leading the way to inspire female athletes to get involved.

Hall, Murphy to lead New Zealand’s Sochi 2014 team
Despite fielding just three athletes, New Zealand’s team for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games could bring home multiple gold medals.

#ShaveTheDate for IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Movember
Canada’s Graeme Murray, Czech Republic’s Erik Fojtik, Norway’s Loyd Remi Solberg, Russia’s Dmitry Lisov and the USA’s Josh Sweeney will raise awareness for men’s health and sport.

Ice sledge hockey groups determined for Sochi 2014
Find out which four teams will play in Group A and which will play in Group B at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Iranian powerlifters steal spotlight in Kuala Lumpur
Japan and Iran jumped ahead of Malaysia to take the top two spots in the medal standings at the Asian Youth Para Games.
Canmore Nordic Skiing World Cup to set tone for Sochi
The first major event of the season for cross-country and biathlon athletes will be an indicator of form ahead of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

PyeongChang 2018 unveils official Paralympic emblem
Emblem embodies aspirations of the Paralympic Movement and will be used in the build up to the 2018 Games.

Ali Jawad: It's time to catch powerlifting cheats
Great Britain’s Ali Jawad responds to IPC Powerlifting’s new ‘Raise The Bar – Say No! to Doping’ campaign.

Planker, Jung added to Sochi 2014 Ones to Watch
Italy’s Florian Planker and South Korea’s Seung-Hwan Jung have been named the final two ice sledge hockey Ones to Watch.

Malaysia leading Japan at Asian Youth Para-Games
Host nation Malaysia have won 11 golds in Kuala Lumpur after two days of action – all of those titles coming in athletics.

PyeongChang 2018 emblem to be unveiled on Tuesday
Ceremony to take place between 14:00-15:00 local time in Korean capital.

Bid process opens for 2015 Ice Sledge Hockey Worlds
The 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool will host eight teams, building off what happens at Sochi 2014.