RIO 2016 PARALYMPICS NEWS
![The giant flag was divided into seven pieces to be transported up to the Christ statue](/sites/default/files/images/160905175427477_NJ16NXfD.jpg)
Message of peace unveiled at Rio landmark
Giant mosaic made up of 500 flags designed by local schoolchildren goes on show ahead of official opening of Paralympics.
![A group of people pose at the Rio 2016 Athlete Village](/sites/default/files/images/160904003421644_14233053_1120387091374975_5311792635866367382_n.jpg)
Al-Hussein visits Ottobock for assessment
The member of the Independent Paralympic Athletes Team went to the Ottobock’s Repair Service Center for Prosthetics, Orthotics and Wheelchairs on Sunday (4 September).
Excitement building in Australia’s Rio 2016 team
Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin believes Australia has the “perfect balance” of experience ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Record number of broadcasters for Rio 2016
Coverage is expected to reach a global audience of four billion for the first time, and be the start of a digital revolution for Para sport.
![Swimmer in the water, doing breaststroke](/sites/default/files/images/150714170927259_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150714_Luc%2BPercival_0281_HD.jpg)
Teenager Serrano aims to make history in Rio
Swimmer is targeting Colombia’s first Paralympic gold for more than three decades after sweeping aside his rivals in 2015.
![Big group of people posing for a picture](/sites/default/files/images/160831190046393_Mw4F9UCA.jpg)
Intellectually impaired students to witness Rio 2016
More than 20 students from the CIESP Diogo Levenhagen School will watch the wheelchair basketball competition at Barra Olympic Park.
![A picture of a man and woman standing](/sites/default/files/images/130125143737818_151648095.jpg)
Athletes who embody Paralympic spirit will win gold
Special award is named after Korean doctor who has championed Para sport for more than 50 years.
![Blindfolded man and guide celebrate after crossing the finish line](/sites/default/files/images/151110095431700_494956410.jpg)
Rio 2016 ticket sales reach 1.5 million mark
Brazil could win their first gold of the Games through Odair Santos in the men’s 5,000m T11.
![A visually impaired athlete runs with her guide on the track of a stadium.](/sites/default/files/images/140502120513025_Terezinha%2Blyon.jpg)
History could be made at Friday’s athletics sessions claims IPC President
With many of the world’s fastest Paralympians in action, Sir Philip Craven is excited for the second day of athletics at Rio 2016.
![Rio 2016 preview: Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM11](/sites/default/files/images/160901175119867_Womens%2B200m%2BIndividual%2BMedley%2BSM11.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM11
New Zealand’s Mary Fisher aims to defend her Paralympic title whilst facing big competition from Germany’s Daniela Schulte.
![Matt Stutzman competes at London 2012](/sites/default/files/images/120831162816015_Matt%2BStutzman.jpg)
The 10 must watch events of Rio 2016
A guide to the hottest tickets at the upcoming Paralympic Games as the world’s best Para athletes prepare to inspire and excite the world.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S3](/sites/default/files/images/160901175234110_Mens%2B200m%2Bfreestyle%2BS3.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S3
Ukraine’s Dmytro Vynohradets is hoping to reclaim his title from Beijing 2008.
![Rio 2016 Paralympic integration specialist Marcos Lima (seated, right) is helping to train the descriptive commentators.](/sites/default/files/images/160904182536868_xLwttYQl.jpg)
Commentators for the blind learn new skills at Rio 2016
At Paralympic venues in Rio, trained specialists will deliver an in-depth radio commentary service for people with a visual impairment.
![Paralympic swimmer Gledson Soares, a double medal winner who comes from the region, was the final torchbearer in Natal on Saturday (3 September)](/sites/default/files/images/160904183519144_wbpL0GzS.jpg)
Rio 2016 Paralympic Torch tours Natal
Third day of relay, in northeastern Brazil, has inspiration as its theme and Paralympic athletes in prominent roles as torchbearers.
![Aerial view on stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160603134409573_Maracana.jpg)
Ten reasons to get excited about the Rio Paralympics
More sports, a new continent – and even medals that rattle. The 2016 Games will break new ground inside and outside the sporting arena.
Cuban Durand set to shine at Rio 2016
The visually impaired sprinter explains how she became the fastest female Paralympian in the world in the latest video in the road to Rio 2016 film series.