PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Colombian athlete Dixon Hooker poses on the podium with his gold medal next to the silver and bronze medallists.](/sites/default/files/images/160809111625756_Dixon%2BHooker%2Bgold.jpg)
Dixon Hooker targets Rio 2016 gold
Colombia´s athletics world champion aims to top the podium at September´s Paralympic Games.
Denmark, US Virgin Islands, Haiti name Rio 2016 teams
Denmark will send 15 Para athletes to the Games; Haiti, US Virgin Islands name one athlete each.
![Mariela Almada of Argentina](/sites/default/files/images/150929084055844_GettyImages-151258582.jpg)
Argentina to launch Para sport awareness campaign
The South American country will promote Para sports and strengthen their place in #TeamAgitos.
![Yao Yongquan and Cai Changgu at Beijing](/sites/default/files/images/120117092815930_82810738_10.jpg)
Cai Changgui ready to perform in Rio
The Beijing 2008 goalball champion talks jetlag, training, maturing since the 2012 Paralympics and video games ahead of Rio 2016.
![Canadian boccia player Alison Levine focused whilst training.](/sites/default/files/images/161205152702504_Alison-levine.jpg)
Alison Levine set to make her Paralympic debut
Canada’s 26-year-old boccia player is looking forward to having her first Paralympic experience at Rio 2016.
![Girl swimming in the pool with swimcap and goggles on.](/sites/default/files/images/160610081148359_11227912_771437732974920_636195306257341285_n.jpg)
Swimming at Rio 2016: Who has podium potential?
Most people are familiar with the big names to look out for, but who could also win a medal for their country?
![Iranian football 7-a-side team and their staff stand together, put their right hand ver their chests.](/sites/default/files/images/160808093058538_13909320_1259514717416838_3107271227943878306_o.jpg)
Iran wins football 7 qualification tournament
Iran defeated Scotland in the finals; both teams qualified for 2017 World Championships.
![A delighted Rixt van der Horst of Denmark celebrates winning gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.](/sites/default/files/images/140907112935610_Rixt%2Bvan%2Bder%2BHorst_0.jpg)
Germany, Netherlands, Brazil name Para equestrian teams
Dutch rider and gold medal favourite Rixt van Der Horst will make an anticipated Paralympic debut.
![Argentina's Para equestrian rider Patricio Guglialmelli on his horse competing at London 2012.](/sites/default/files/images/160808114947082_Patricio%2BGuglialmelli_11.jpg)
Guglialmelli set to compete at his third Paralympics
Argentina’s Para equestrian rider is hoping to reach the Paralympic final at Rio 2016.
![Rio 2016 preview: R1 (men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1)](/sites/default/files/images/160808122832955_Shooting%2BR1new_0.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: R1 (men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1)
Sweden’s Jonas Jacobsson will go for his 31st Paralympic medal at the Olympic Shooting Centre at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.