PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Four Para athletes have been shortlisted for the Allianz Athlete of the Month poll for August 2016: Ekrem Gundogdu, Hannah Cockroft, Mehdi Jemali and Heinrich Popow.](/sites/default/files/images/160901070415215_AOTM.jpg)
Vote now for the Allianz Athlete of the Month – August 2016
The public has until 6 September to vote for their favourite from the four candidates.
![Aerial view on stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160603134409573_Maracana.jpg)
Ticket sales for Rio 2016 Paralympic Games pass one million mark
Surge in interest after success of Olympic Games continues, with nearly 100 sessions sold out.
![The USA's David Blair in action during the men's discus F44 final at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.](/sites/default/files/images/160515113008818_GettyImages-493754872.jpg)
Blair targets Paralympic gold after over a decade away from sport
The world record holder will make his Paralympic debut at the age of 41 years.
![Colombian Coach Jesus Kerguelen](/sites/default/files/images/160708104456304_Jesus%2B2.jpg)
#TeamAgitos: Kerguelen, a life devoted to Para sports
The Colombian aims to raise awareness of Para sports in his country and is hoping to see one of his pupils qualifying for the Paralympic Games one day.
![Cécile Hernandez-Cervellon, Marie Bochet, Thomas Clarion and guide Julien Bourla](/sites/default/files/images/160829093404379_FotorCreated.jpg)
French skiers, snowboarders prepare for new season
Athletes from all three sports have been completing summer training before getting back to the snow.
![Andre Brasil of Brazil competes at the 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships in Funchal, Portugal.](/sites/default/files/images/160505113754243_DSC_3136.jpg)
Brasil ready to excel in front of home crowd
Brazil’s multiple Paralympic champion swimmer Andre Brasil is looking to make a splash at September’s Paralympics in Rio.
![Woman riding a horse](/sites/default/files/images/160413084033079_Philippa%2BJOHNSON-DWYER%2B_Individual_Simon%2BPhoto.jpg)
Para equestrian: Q&A with Philippa Johnson-Dwyer
Get to know the South African rider ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![NPC Australia and NPC USA - logo](/sites/default/files/images/160829114507367_aus%2Busa2.jpg)
USA and Australia add athletes to Paralympic teams
Australia received nine extra spots, whilst 22 athletes were added to USA’s team at September’s Paralympic Games.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S5](/sites/default/files/images/160829151752496_SW%2BMens%2B200%2Bfree%2BS5.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S5
Home favourite Daniel Dias will go for his first gold medal at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 88kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826161120334_Powerlifting%2Bmen%2Bup%2Bto%2B88.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 88kg
This may be one of the tightest battles for gold.