PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Japan Paralympic Committee](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/Japan%20Paralympic%20Committee.jpg?itok=PzHwsz2g)
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards postponed
IPC members can apply until 15 September 2021 for the 11th edition of the awards, postponed to January 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic
![El atleta masculino de Boccia usa un puntero para golpear la pelota con su asistente ajustando la rampa](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/jacob-thomas-boccia.jpg?h=8567d7de&itok=7YI0LiyP)
IPC mourns loss of Jacob Thomas
The British athlete was one of the top players in the BC3 category
![A woman in a wheelchair celebrating with a man standing behind her during a Para powerlifting competition](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-02/d4_130_4NS0932_hiroki_nishioka.jpg?itok=ilEUAmO0)
Lucy Ejike: I would choose Paralympics all over again
The Nigerian ace powerlifter completes two decades as a top-notch Paralympian this year
![Mohammad Reza Kheirollahzadeh](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/Kheirollahzadeh.jpg?h=4213aa2a&itok=j2tIaG6G)
Judo brings joy to Iran's Kheirollahzadeh
The world No. 1 saw his life turn around since taking up judo
![USOPC museum](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/USOPC%20museum%205_0.jpg?h=1c48c8c9&itok=54aeN2Wr)
Olympic & Paralympic Museum opens in USA
With athlete input, state-of-the-art museum offers interactive and immersive experience
![female wheelchair fencer Beatrice Vio bites a gold medal and smiles](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/180823130404097_Beatrice-Vio.jpg?h=3794b65b&itok=z40lK-FD)
Para athletes featured in Malala Fund’s initiative
‘Game Changers’ series features 30 female athletes who defy convention on and off the field
![El Campeonatoo Mundial de Deportes de Nieve en Lillehammer 2021](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/3xqSeeLHwWimFaNN7qTjf5mDYsypkrXjnav5oOmf9SY.jpg?itok=6ufj2tX-)
Seven things to know about Lillehammer 2021
August marks 6 months to go until the 2021 World Para Snow Sports Championships
![A group of six Para ice hockey players huddle together in front of the goal](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/asset_JM5_0654_12177_ioc_2020-08-12_172102.jpg?itok=zSpoUqCD)
World Para Ice Hockey publishes 2020-2022 Strategic Plan
Plan outlines the mission, vision and the three strategic priorities for the sport in the new cycle
![a female Para cyclist on the track](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2019-08/Lima-2019-Samantha-Bosco-day-4%20.jpg?h=0cfde3e1&itok=2Ub3wnht)
Bosco rekindles love for cycle
Dad helps Paralympic bronze medalist get back on bike
![Neck surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/neck%20surgery.jpg?h=2b949374&itok=a0V5VYel)
Blood, Snot and Tears: A celebration of life and disability
'Many years later, I would learn that just as the struggle of black people is not to be white nor that of the LGBT community to be straight, my struggle as a person with a disability should not be to walk, but to live a full life with equal rights and opportunities — as I am'
![a group of male and female Para athletes sitting and standing outside a white building](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2023-03/Athletes%20Council%20IPC%20Bonn_0.jpg?itok=gc5liqGF)
Para athletes invited to register for global consultation
'The whole IPC Governing Board is looking forward to hear what the Para athlete community has to say during these focus groups'
![A male swimmer without his left hand swimming a pool](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/GettyImages-1174423996.jpg?itok=HHAogAqZ)
Madeira 2020 Europeans postponed to 2021
Portuguese island to host the competition for the second time with 500 swimmers set to be in action
![Japanese male badminton player in wheelchair hits a return](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/DAIKI-KAJIWARA.jpg?h=140d6bf7&itok=mFbLytyQ)
Japan's badminton squad brewing with talent
Newbie Daiki Kajiwara switches from baseball to badminton while Ayako Suzuki gives the veteran punch
![Yujie Li](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/Yujie%20Li.jpg?h=50ca6c4e&itok=INVgGVVB)
Li recalls defining moment
Surprise world champion affirms goal for Tokyo 2020 next year
![A snowboard competing in the slope](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/assets_ioc_2020-08-06_224914.jpg?itok=BleS2uXU)
Moen in 'no excuses' mode ahead of home Worlds
Norway’s teenage prodigy grows up through experience with able-bodied snowboard team in the lead up to Lillehammer 2021
![Tanni Grey-Thompson](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/GettyImages-925106762%20%282%29.jpg?h=d77336b8&itok=kwz_58GA)
Tanni Grey-Thompson - Inspiring the next generation of Paralympians
'It's been an amazing journey to see where the Paralympic movement is today. For young people today we have to make sure they have an opportunity to get active and play sport.'
![Four female wheelchair racers racing on the track](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/hongzhuan-zhou.jpg?h=1fe7ba28&itok=txAKP-tm)
Zhou ‘won’t easily give up’ on Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
One of world’s best wheelchair racers wants to close career on a high note
![Female British triathlete with arm impairment rides her bike](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/190627133340666_lauren-steadman.jpg?itok=Xhrw1dJl)
Enjoying journey greater than gold for Steadman
'It was of course very disappointing, and I had different plans ready for 2021 but as an athlete you need to be adaptable to change and ultimately it was the right decision so it’s easier to accept'
![Female goalball player prepares to release the ball](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/Meica-Horsburgh-japan-goalball-association.jpg?itok=1da7XQVE)
Horsburgh finds 'my place in life'
"I think goalball has helped me to be more confident with my impairment, not letting anything get in my way. I feel OK to talk about it now as I know that my vision does not define me"
![A couple in wheelchairs dancing](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2020-08/49156891603_0a3acb573b_4k.jpg?h=65b71683&itok=ICUKwu9w)
Save the date: Genoa to host 2020 Europeans
Competition to take place in Italy for the first time from 17-21 December