PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Two French defenders stop a Brazilian blind footballer](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/Ricardo-David-Labarre-Abderrahim-Maya-football-5.jpg?itok=pKcHqMN6)
France plans football 5-a-side renaissance at Tokyo 2020
National team had to hit rock bottom first to build up and return to the Paralympics
![A male Para snowboarder watching the mountain](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/Darren%20Swifty3.jpg?itok=BhHCSHPt)
From kitchen floor to Formula 1 lab, a Swift mission
Great Britain’s Para snowboarder Darren ‘Swifty’ Swift and graphic designer Dale Rennard eager to open sport to double above-the-knee amputees
![New IPC logo symbol](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2019-12/IPC%20logo.jpg?itok=Tz9hXgsX)
Roland Ezuruike receives 18-month ban for whereabouts rule violation
Para powerlifter handed the first sanction related to a whereabouts violation by the International Paralympic Committee
![Three Para ice hockey players with the uniform of Italy celebrating with another player from Japan observing](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/47680610642_fa89d310ed_h.jpg?itok=TDjuA1a-)
Ostrava 2021: Get to know Italy
A closer look at one of the most consistent teams in action on the ice at this month's World Para Ice Hockey Championships
![Nepal's Para badminton player Praskash Adhikari in action](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/Prakash%20Adhikari.jpeg?h=69024553&itok=tQsYt1rZ)
Nepal’s Prakash Adhikari takes baby steps towards his dream
'Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is going to be special for all badminton players as the sport is making its debut. It is huge for us, and I can see the excitement amongst all the players.'
![PacificAus Sports programme](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/Pacific%20Island%20Para-athletes%20.jpg?h=ec977505&itok=LBoCj-Sh)
Pacific Island Para athletes receive financial boost
More than 170 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from 11 Pacific nations will benefit from the grant
![A female teenage athlete competing in shot put watched by three people](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2019-07/190729090910205_Simone%2BKruger.jpg?itok=JhDiTcws)
Simone Kruger aiming to add Tokyo glory to world record success
'If I want to get the gold, I need to add about four metres to my distance.'
![Football 5-a-side's Ones to Watch at Tokyo 2020 | Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/R7wd5yX4TaFgU4s5KVu2Eqz6HP01E1KW0j2c4V2dzQs.jpg?itok=4r9INOr8)
Football 5-a-side ones to watch
With eight teams vying for the title, there will be plenty of talent on display at Tokyo 2020.
![A Para ice hockey player scoring a goal observed by other four players](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-06/20191122-WC-Para-Ice-Hockey-19-02-27-rkuB.jpg?itok=2u7v4itp)
Ostrava 2021: Get to know RPC
Experienced Para ice hockey players lead the team in their return to the World Championships in Czech Republic
![Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at Maracana Stadium](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/160908103415004_opening.jpg?itok=abkCN5Vo)
IPC podcast 'A Winning Mindset' picks up Digiday Media Europe Awards
The Paralympic Movement has collected a second award of the week after being recognised as winners of ‘Best Podcast’ at the Digiday Media Europe Awards