PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Older female woman in wheelchair lighting cauldron of Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/2020-05/margaret-maughan-getty.jpg)
Stoke Mandeville Games, 1948-1959: The arrival of pioneer Paralympic women
The Paralympic Games forerunner event in Stoke Mandeville was contested mainly by men but benefitted from the performances of trailblazing women
![A female athlete plays a backhand in the women's singles final at the Australian Open.](/sites/default/files/2024-01/Diede%20de%20Groot%2C%20Australian%20Open%202023%20final.jpg)
Diede de Groot: 'I have a pretty big target on my back' at Australian Open
Diede de Groot opened her campaign at the Australian Open on a winning note, beating Great Britain’s Lucy Shuker 6-3, 6-1 in 58 minutes
![Photo shows a mixed doubles badminton match. A female athlete runs to a shuttle, in front of a male athlete.](/sites/default/files/2023-08/Lucas%20Mazur%2C%20Noel%20Faustine%20para%20badminton%20Tokyo%202020.jpg)
France’s Para badminton player Faustine Noel sets sights on home Paralympic Games
Noel captured a silver medal in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 tournament at Tokyo 2020
![Three female players wearing eyeshades compete in goalball](/sites/default/files/2024-01/00%20Turkey%20goalball%20Tokyo%202020.jpg)
Road to Paris 2024: Get the latest on the qualification for the Paralympics
Get to know the major qualification events coming up and follow athletes on their journeys to the Games
![Mona Francis, European Para triathlon Champion](/sites/default/files/2023-11/mona.jpg)
Paris 2024 has chosen its Torchbearers for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
80% of the 11.000 Torchbearers between the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays have been informed that they will carry the meaningful fire; they are called the 'Forerunners'
![An image showing laboratory glass tubes](/sites/default/files/2020-12/GettyImages-96526070.jpg)
Saeed Mohammed Abdulla Alblooshi receives two-year ban for anti-doping rule violation
UAE shooting Para sport athlete returned an adverse analytical finding for a prescription beta-blocker at the Al Ain 2022 World Shooting Para Sport Championships
![Six athletes compete on handcycles. The athlete leading the pack is wearing a South African jersey.](/sites/default/files/2024-01/2%20%20Pieter%20Du%20Preez%20South%20Africa.jpg)
Nicolas Pieter Du Preez: “I want to create impact on my journey to Paris 2024”
South African Paralympic champion shares his hopes and ambitions for 2024
![The working logo for Rising Phoenix: Tokyo.](/sites/default/files/2022-07/Rising%20Phoenix%20Tokyo%20cover.jpg)
Harder Than You Think & Off The Fence join to boost Rising Phoenix Paralympic Content
Tokyo, Paris, Milan and LA Paralympic content to be launched to global market; pioneering commitment to dramatically improve disabled representation in productions through to LA
![Two Para rowers - a male athlete and a female athlete - compete.](/sites/default/files/2024-01/Para%20rowing%201-%20Nikki%20Ayers%20and%20Jed%20Altschwager%20Australia.jpg)
The unstoppables in Para rowing: Meet Australia’s Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager
Australia's Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager won medals and set records in 2023, and they are looking forward to accomplishing much more together in 2024.
![An image of the Paralympic torch](/sites/default/files/2023-07/Paralympic%20torch.jpg)
Six teams representing the Paralympic Movement will be in the Paralympic Torch Relay
Initiative's objective is to spread the energy of sport and teamwork throughout France, host country of the Paris 2024 Paralympic and Olympic Games