PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Inas appoint Executive Director
Nick Parr will take up new UK based role this month

IPC reveals alpine skiing ones to watch
With 50 days to go until the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in La Molina, Spain, the International Paralympic Committee has announced the ‘ones to watch’ for the competition.

Sir Philip Craven: IPC President's New Year's message
IPC President reflects on 2012 and looks ahead to 2013

“We must build on the Paralympic Movement’s most successful year,” says IPC President
In New Year's message to members Sir Philip Craven relfects on 2012 and looks ahead to 2013

No. 1: Alex Zanardi wins hearts in pole position
Twenty one years after competing at the motor-racing circuit as an F3000 driver, Italy's Alex Zanardi - who also raced in F1 - returned to Brands Hatch to light up the Games, striking double gold in the hand-cycling events.

No. 2: Fonteles shocks stadium over 200m victory
Brazil’s Alan Fonteles Oliveira produced one of the biggest upsets in Paralympic history, defeating sprinting great Oscar Pistorius in the 200m T44 in London.

Zanardi tops IPC's Top 50 Paralympic Moments of 2012
Italian handcyclist Alex Zanardi has taken the IPC’s top moment of 2012 after winning two Paralympic golds on the same course he competed on as a motor race driver.

Queen honours Paralymians and LOCOG employees in New Years Honours list
29 British Paralympians and members of LOCOG recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for London 2012

No. 3: A medallist and her son captivate audiences
Teresa Perales’ behind-the-scenes video of her handing a medal to her son captivated audiences and became the most-viewed Samsung Paralympic Blog of the Games.

No. 4: Wetherill's wonder shot
David Wetherill’s incredible diving table tennis shot at London 2012 went viral on YouTube, racking up 6.3 million views and counting.

No. 5: Canada defy Paralympic forecasts to beat USA
Canada produced one of the most memorable wheelchair rugby performances ever to defeat arch-rivals USA, 50-49, in the semi-final at London 2012.

Craig Spence: Peacock’s 100m win by far my 2012 highlight
IPC Director of Media and Communications picks out his best moment of 2012

New role for Aussie wheelchair tennis star
David Hall named ambassador of 2013 Australian Wheelchair Tennis Tour

No. 6: From US Navy hero to Paralympic champion
Exactly one year to the day after losing his eyesight in Afghanistan, US Navy hero Bradley Snyder swam to Paralympic gold at London 2012.

Gareth A Davies: Why Weir's 4th gold is my moment of the year
As the IPC's Top 50 Moments continues, Gareth A Davies chooses his favourite of 2012

No. 7: Pistorius’ summer of glory
Oscar Pistorius became a household name worldwide after competing in both the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

No. 8 Vergeer shows her human side with 470th straight win
For many people, Vergeer is invincible and there’s almost an assumption that she will win. But for her it takes a lot of hard work and mental strength to withstand this pressure.

Queen to pay tribute to Paralympic stars
In her annual address to Commonwealth countries, Queen Elizabeth II will hail the "splendid summer of sport".

No. 9: Injured Nascimento limps to the finish line
With 80,000 fans cheering him on, Brazil’s Yohansson Nascimento insisted on finishing the 100m T46 final, despite a pulled hamstring.