PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Uppor body of a man in orange shirt](/sites/default/files/images/140710103500208_120907_204531_mh_8924.jpg)
Dutch Para athletes team named for Rio 2016
The team features 12 athletes made up of eight women and four men
![Ruyi Ye (L) of China on his way to winning gold against Yijun Chen (R) of China during the men's individual foil category A final of the wheelchair fencing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150920105406852_GettyImages-151234430.jpg)
Sport week: Classification in wheelchair fencing
Athletes are allocated into two sport classes that depend on their trunk function since all fencers compete from a wheelchair.
![Nely Miranda - 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships Glasgow](/sites/default/files/images/150715095250042_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150714_Luc%2BPercival_1597_HD_1.jpg)
Nely Miranda named Mexico’s flagbearer for Rio 2016
The two-time swimming Paralympic champion will carry Mexico’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics, on 7 September.
![Finland's Petri Posio and Erkki Miinala block the ball during their gold-medal match at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. After winning Paralympic gold, the Finnish squad will now host the 2014 World Championships.](/sites/default/files/images/130919140941426_151463100.jpg)
Erkki Miinala talks life besides sports
When he is not training for Rio 2016, the Finish goalball player splits his time between his work as a transcriber and his passion for music.
![A picture of a woman on the running track celebrating with her hands spread](/sites/default/files/images/130206095155514_151366863.jpg)
Van Rhijn relishing London return
The Dutch blade runner’s final 100m race before Rio 2016 will be at Saturday’s Müller Anniversary Games.
![IPC Athletics logo](/sites/default/files/images/120202114459695_IPC_Athletics.jpg)
Canadian Connor stripped of all results dating back to May 2012
The athlete was suspended for four years in April 2016 for an anti-doping violation but has since admitted to previously using prohibited substances.
![Boccia - Dirceu Jose Pinto and Eliseu Dos Santos](/sites/default/files/images/120904173055122_Brazil%2BBoccia_0.jpg)
Hosts Brazil announce delegation for Rio 2016
A record 278-strong delegation will represent the host country at September’s Paralympic Games.
![A Spanish person playing table tennis](/sites/default/files/images/120419121953361_josemanuelruiz2.jpg)
Spain’s and South Africa’s delegations announced
A total of 114 Spanish and 45 South African athletes will compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![Photo of a wheelchair racer celebrating with text: My best moment: Winning my first Paralympic medals at Athens 2004 My worst moment:My injury before this year’s European Championships](/sites/default/files/images/160720151111263_Tahti.jpg)
My best and worst moments with Finland’s Leo Pekka-Tahti
The T54 wheelchair race is preparing to defend his 100m Paralympic title at Rio 2016.
![NPC Sweden - logo horizontal](/sites/default/files/images/160719074652019_Paralympics_horizontal_ENG_RGB.jpg)
NPC Sweden, KONE call for accessible facilities
Based on research findings, the two partners say more can be done to help people with impairments practice sports.