PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Heinrich Popow of Germany](/sites/default/files/images/160715080828812_Heinrich%2BPopow.jpg)
Athletes hit form ahead of Rio 2016
A number of world and European records fell at the weekend, as athletes start to peak ahead of next month’s Paralympic Games.
![Raymond Martin of the United States competes in the men's 100m T52 heats at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.](/sites/default/files/images/160510074619794_Ray%2BMartin.jpg)
Expectations are high for Ray Martin who heads to Rio 2016 as the man to beat
The US T52 racer heads to his second Paralympics aiming to win three gold medals.
Para sports project to be launched in Benin
The West African country will launch their third project to promote Para sports in November 2016, thanks to the support of the Agitos Foundation.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 65kg](/sites/default/files/images/160819133158786_Powerlifting%2Bmen%2Bup%2Bto%2B65.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 65kg
After a strong Paralympic debut, China’s Peng Hu is the one to out-lift at Rio 2016.
![Rio 2016 preview: R5 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2)](/sites/default/files/images/160821092150690_Shooting%2BR5new_0.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: R5 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2)
Ukranian Vasyl Kovalchuk has the most momentum heading into Rio as he seeks to defend his Paralympic title.
![An wheelchair racer shouts out after crossing the finish line in first place.](/sites/default/files/images/140522145302959_174464500_0.jpg)
What makes the perfect…100m?
The USA’s Jarryd Wallace and Finland’s Leo-Pekka Tahti explain how to get the best out of the shortest spring in track and field.
![A picture of a woman with a gold medal around her neck](/sites/default/files/images/170202150817617_Ellie-Simmonds_0.jpg)
Simmonds: The talent in swimming has never been so high
The British superstar reflects on the rest of the field as she nears her third Paralympic Games.
![Paralympian Terezinha Guilhermina of Brazil runs with Usain Bolt of Jamaica as her guide during an exhibition in preparation for the Mano a Mano Athletics Challenge in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2011, she was elected to the APC Executive Committee at the Guadalajara Parapan American Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150430103753597_470211928_0.jpg)
Terezinha Guilhermina – ‘How I got into Para athletics’
She trained with Usain Bolt last year, but how did the Brazilian T11 sprinter get into the sport she has dominated in recent years?
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 59kg](/sites/default/files/images/160819132330367_Powerlifting%2Bmen%2Bup%2Bto%2B59.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 59kg
Is anyone stronger than Egyptian Sherif Osman in this class?
![Goalball China X Iran - London 2012](/sites/default/files/images/120903102622908_Goalball_150997931.jpg)
Host cities for major goalball events revealed
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, will host the 2017 African Championships, whilst the 2017 European Championships, Group C, will take place in Ciorescu, Moldova.