About Rio 2016

Artists representing Rio 2016 peform during the closing ceremony at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

ⒸGetty Images

Artists representing Rio 2016 peform during the closing ceremony at the London 2012 Paralympic Games © • Getty Images

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be held from 7-18 September 2016.

The Brazilian city, with its stunning landmarks, will provide a perfect backdrop for the pinnacle of each para-athlete’s career: the Paralympic Games.

Around 4,350 athletes from more than 160 countries will travel to Rio to compete in 528 medal events in 22 different sports.

Of the total number of athletes set to take part, approximately 1,650 will be women - a 9.9 per cent increase on London 2012 and more than double the 790 who took part in the Atlanta 1996 Games. They will compete in 224 medal events, equating to 43 per cent of all medal events and a 12 per cent increase on London, with athletics, cycling and swimming providing additional events for women.

Canoe and triathlon will be included in the Games for the first time in Rio and each sport will stage six medal events – evenly split between male and female athletes – whilst the existing 20 summer sports will feature no less medal events than in London.

The Rio 2016 Organising Committee commits itself to "deliver excellent Games, with memorable celebrations that will promote the global image of Brazil, underpinned by social and urban sustainable transformation through sport, contributing to the growth of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements."

Rio 2016 is also making an effort in improving accessibility standards throughout the city. Until 2016 the aim is that all public transportation systems in the city of Rio de Janeiro will be offering full accessibility, and the accessibility standards of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will be enforced in all new hotels built in the city, with the purpose of encompassing at least 1 per cent of all rooms available in Rio de Janeiro.

Following three rounds of voting by eligible IOC members, Rio de Janeiro eventually triumphed by taking 66 votes from a possible 98. Other Candidate cities competing for the right to host the 2016 Games were Chicago (United States), Tokyo (Japan) and Madrid (Spain).