Paralympic News: Follow the latest IPC news and top stories featuring Paralympic athletes
![Italian Paralympic star Simone Barlaam will lead the local challenge that will have a 65-strong team at the second leg of Citi Para Swimming World Series.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Simone%20Barlaam.jpg)
Barlaam celebrates World Series' return to 'magical' Lignano
Paralympic stars in limelight as season’s second leg of World series set to witness 292 athletes from 43 nations over four days of action
![Two female wheelchair rugby players compete.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/1%20Wheelchair%20rugby%20women.jpg)
Loughborough to start research to increase female participation in wheelchair rugby
Loughborough University in Great Britain is set to conduct a research project to evaluate the current competition rule, with the first findings of the study to be published towards the end of the third quarter of 2023
![Seven female Para ice hockey players on ice in front of a goalie](/sites/default/files/2022-11/Green%20Bay%202022.jpg)
World Para Ice Hockey receives IPC International Women's Day Recognition award
Announcement follows landmark year in the development of the sport among female athletes, coaches, and officials with the first Women's World Challenge
![A woman in a wheelchair with a green Nigerian shirt](/sites/default/files/2023-03/49515828223_82f90b2b81_c.jpg)
Nigeria's Coach Pat receives IPC International Women's Day Recognition award
Patience Igbiti has been a key driver pushing women’s inclusion in the sport in Africa and internationally for over 30 years
![Female athletes in blue jersey are on the ice, while a female athlete in white jersey passes by.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Para%20ice%20hockey%20women%27s%20world%20challenge.jpg)
2023 IPC International Women’s Day Recognition awards winners revealed
Women from Nigeria, Malta, Malawi, and World Para Ice Hockey recognised for serving as positive role models
![A female coach stands on the snow, next to a male staff and a sign that reads "Morzine Avoriaz"](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Saori%20Ishii%2C%20Japan%20Alpine%20skiing%20coach.jpg)
Japan’s Ishii embracing her role as pioneer for female coaches in Para alpine skiing
Saori Ishii led Japan’s medal haul in Para alpine skiing at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games as the team’s head coach. Since October 2022, she has served as the chairperson of the team, drafting mid- and long-term development strategies
![A female athlete in an Estonian T-shirt lifts two dumbbells in a gym as an older woman spots her from behind.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Jelena%20Pipper%20Nelli%20Rjumina%20gym%20Estonia.jpg)
Mother-daughter Para powerlifting duo show strength of women to rise above challenges
Jelena Pipper and her mother Nelli Rjumina are the faces of Estonian Para powerlifting and the main forces driving the sport forward for women in the Baltic states
![A male athlete](/sites/default/files/2023-03/GettyImages-1338347687.jpg)
The heat is on in Marrakech for the third Grand Prix of 2023
A 70-strong Chinese contingent aim to build on Dubai success in Morocco; France set eyes on ideal World Championships preparation
![A male wheelchair racer with the Mexican flag at an athletics track](/sites/default/files/2023-03/GettyImages-1337597981.jpg)
Xalapa to host Mexican Grand Prix in April
Competition is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 next month replacing Monterrey, followed by the Jesolo GP in Italy from 12 to 14 May
![A group of about 15 athletes dressed in Italy's uniform march into the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Italy%20at%20Beijing%202022.jpg)
Three years until Milano Cortina: Italian athletes preparing for ‘biggest show ever’
Italy is famous for its food and culture, but during the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, the country will also shine thanks to its passion for Para sport, says Para ice hockey player Andrea Macri. We asked four Paralympians what they are looking forward to in three years and why you should also get excited
![A close-up of a male cross-country skier in sunglasses and competition bib, holding skis in one hand.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Brian%20McKeever%20Canada%20Beijing%202022.jpg)
Beijing 2022 one year on: Record-setting McKeever reflects on what matters most
The Canadian Para cross-country skier Brian McKeever retired after the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, having won 20 Paralympic medals in the men's vision impairment class
![An image showing laboratory glass tubes](/sites/default/files/2020-12/GettyImages-96526070.jpg)
French athlete Justine Beve receives three-month ban for anti-doping rule violation
Shooting Para sport athlete returned an adverse analytical finding involving a Substance of Abuse in a sample provided in-competition on July 2022
Canada’s Ideson finds love for wheelchair curling by breaking promise with himself
Canada is among the 12 teams that will compete at the 2023 World Wheelchair Curling Championship, which will be held between 4 and 12 March in Richmond, Canada
![A one-armed man jumping in a long jump competition in a blue athletics track](/sites/default/files/2023-03/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-02%20at%2018.09.05.jpeg)
Records galore as China return in style at Dubai 2023 Grand Prix
Paralympic stars Hug, Debrunner smash their own world records* while Chinese athletes top the medal standings with 42 golds in the four-day GP
![New IPC logo symbol](/sites/default/files/2019-12/IPC%20logo.jpg)
IPC publishes new Strategic Plan to advance the Paralympic Movement
The new Strategic Plan focuses on four primary goals: Serving members and athletes, showcasing athlete excellence through the delivery of Paralympic Games, driving impact through Para sport, and continuing to build a professional organisation
![A female paints a picture of a horse with her left foot.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Serbia%20Dejana%20Backo%20painting.jpg)
Whether it’s the canvas or tatami for Backo, the ‘girl with wings’ hits the heights
Serbian Para athlete and artist Dejana Backo gave a portrait to tennis star Novak Djokovic after he congratulated her on winning the 2021 World Para Taekwondo Championships
![A male wheelchair rugby player raises both hands in celebration at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Ayaz%20Bhuta%2C%20Great%20Britain%20wheelchair%20rugby%2C%20Tokyo%202020.jpg)
Bhuta eager to inspire next generation after retiring from wheelchair rugby
Great Britain’s Ayaz Bhuta was told he may be too small to compete in wheelchair rugby at an international level, but he went on to become a Paralympic champion. And he still has big goals after retiring in December 2022
![UAE's Paralympic star Mohamed Alhammadi will lead the local charge at the second Grand Prix of the season.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/UAE%27s%20Mohammed%20Hammadi%20in%20action%20at%20Dubai%202022%20GP..jpeg)
World’s best return to Dubai for second Grand Prix of the season
Paralympic stars including local champion Alhammadi to hog limelight in one of the strongest fields; China to return to international meet after two years
![A female athlete wearing Japan's red uniform sits on the Three Agitos monument.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Asiya%20Mohammed%20Sururu%20in%20Tokyo%202020.jpg)
Kenya’s Para rower Sururu: “I wanted to fly” on water just like other athletes
Asiya Mohammed Sururu competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with “luck” and support from family and friends. Now, the double-amputee athlete is learning to walk