PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Woman in a wheelchair on a blue tennis court trying to reach a ball](/sites/default/files/images/140711092450514_LON_0709_7982.jpg)
ITF launches official anthem to celebrate wheelchair tennis anniversary
Featuring British songwriter Alexander Joseph and wheelchair tennis player Jordanne Whiley, the song is available on iTunes.
![Rio 2016 Paralympic Games mascot Tom](/sites/default/files/images/170202110832664_Rio-mascot-tom.jpg)
Rio 2016 sports festival takes Olympic and Paralympic spirit to favela children
Youngsters from underprivileged communities seize opportunity to try out new sports ranging from canoeing to goalball.
Monthly preview: April 2016
Rio 2016 qualification events in wheelchair rugby and rowing, plus European Championships in swimming have major implications.
![A swimmer celebrates a race win and world record](/sites/default/files/images/150713232539882_Ellie%2BCole_1.jpg)
Cole breaks du Toit’s 50m freestyle world record
Australian world champion brings down the decade-old S9 mark at the national Championships and secures a nomination for a spot on the team for Rio 2016.
![A para-cyclist competes on the track](/sites/default/files/images/160319114847406_Megan%2BGiglia.jpg)
Para-sport in review: March 2016
Most of the winter sports season wrapped up, while World Championships in cycling and boccia took place.
![Wheelchair dance sport - Osipov and Ryzhkova of Russia](/sites/default/files/images/130911173232792_Osipov%2Band%2BRyzhkova_0.jpg)
Wheelchair dance season to get underway in Kazakhstan
The singles field is particularly strong for the opening competition this weekend (9-10 April) in Astana.
![The final four Tokyo 2020 Games emblem designs options](/sites/default/files/images/160408130859418_12933049_980009222089715_201429356351111958_n.jpg)
Tokyo 2020 unveils shortlisted emblem designs
Four designs are up for consideration, with the final decision to come on 25 April.
![Four runners dressed in shorts and vest competing on a red athletics track.](/sites/default/files/images/140709140358074_120905_193603_mh_2367_0.jpg)
Sharov and Liebhardt amongst Grosseto Grand Prix winners
After throwing 13.23m in the women’s shot put, Germany’s Franziska Liebhardt now leads the world rankings.
![Shingo Kunieda of Japan plays a forehand during the Men's Wheelchair Doubles Final at the Australian Open 2016 Wheelchair Championships.](/sites/default/files/images/160408064320322_Shingo%2BKunieda.jpg)
Sport Week: Kunieda aiming for doubles gold in Rio 2016
The two-time Paralympic singles champion has only one doubles gold in his three Games appearances.
![Yelyzaveta Mereshko of Ukraine competing in the Women's 400m Freestyle S6 at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.](/sites/default/files/images/150719161357146_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150713_Luc%2BPercival_1153_HD.jpg)
All eyes on Ukrainian Mereshko at swimming Euros
After taking the 400m freestyle S6 world title from Great Britain’s Eleanor Simmonds in 2015, Yelyzaveta Mereshko is preparing for her next major outing.