PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Daniel Dias](/sites/default/files/images/160425092414200_daniel%2Bdias.jpg)
Swimming superstars are ready to go at Rio 2016
Daniel Dias, Eleanor Simmonds, Carlos Serrano and Jessica Long are amongst Paralympic sport’s biggest names set to compete from 8 September.
![Zuray Marcano](/sites/default/files/images/160906122302581_Zuray%2BMarcano%2B-%2Bcredit%2BZuray%2BMarcano.jpg)
Zuray Marcano, 62, set for her second Paralympic Games
“Life is full of surprises,” says the Venezuelan powerlifter who will prove age is no barrier when she competes at Rio 2016.
![Women on prothesis poses for a picture](/sites/default/files/images/160902211827367_JaabxK4C_0.jpg)
Paralympian Purdy: I’m loving my Rio experience
US snowboarder speaks of fondness for the host country of the 2016 Paralympics ahead of her appearance at Opening Ceremony.
![Gabriel de Jesus Cuadra Holmann competes at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150521092154910_Gabriel%2BCuadra%2BHolmann%2B1_0.jpg)
Holmann seeks to win Nicaragua´s first Paralympic medal
The T36 sprinter is hoping to outdo his performance from London 2012 and reach the podium at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![Brad Ness and Alberto Pellegrini](/sites/default/files/images/140327162644407_151191614_0.jpg)
Brad Ness named as Australia’s flag bearer at Rio 2016
“It will make me feel 10 feet tall and bullet-proof,” says the veteran wheelchair basketball star ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
![Two judokas in competition](/sites/default/files/images/120601115905234_AntonioTenorio813.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: judo
The sport will make its eighth Paralympic appearance and will be contested in the Carioca Arena 3 in the Barra Olympic Park.
![Sprinter in action](/sites/default/files/images/150814161636947_GettyImages-453817246.jpg)
World’s fastest Paralympians ready to break new records
From Jason Smyth and Jarryd Wallace to Omara Durand and Tatyana McFadden, athletes around the world are gunning for new world records in Rio.
![Aerial view on stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160603134409573_Maracana.jpg)
The Opening Ceremony: 10 things you need to know
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be launched at the Maracana with organisers promising a spectacular show and plenty of surprises.
![Blindfolded man and guide celebrate after crossing the finish line](/sites/default/files/images/151110095431700_494956410.jpg)
Rio 2016 ticket sales reach 1.5 million mark
Brazil could win their first gold of the Games through Odair Santos in the men’s 5,000m T11.
Record number of broadcasters for Rio 2016
Coverage is expected to reach a global audience of four billion for the first time, and be the start of a digital revolution for Para sport.