PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Alex Zanardi](/sites/default/files/images/131114091300715_48%2B_0.jpg)
South Africa set to launch 2016 UCI Para Cycling Road World Cup
The first leg of the 2016 Road World Cup season will take place in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, from 6-8 May.
![Sergey Malyshev of Russia, wearing glasses, a visor and ear protection shoots his Mixed P3-25m Pistol at an indoor range at The Royal Artillery Barracks](/sites/default/files/images/121114125237775_151193671_0.jpg)
Kovalchuk, Malyshev leave Szczecin World Cup with golds
Ukraine’s Kovalchuk claimed victory in the R5, while Russia’s Malyshev took home gold in the P5.
![Goalball China X Iran - London 2012](/sites/default/files/images/120903102622908_Goalball_150997931.jpg)
Sport Week: History of goalball
The sport was introduced at Toronto 1976 with a men’s event, whilst women made their debut at New York 1984.
![Goalball women's gold medal game between USA and Brazil at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.](/sites/default/files/images/151022182316127_DSC_7821.jpg)
Sixteen teams to compete at biggest women’s goalball event ever
The 17th edition of the Malmo Ladies Intercup will be held from 6-8 May
![A swimmer's head rising out of the water](/sites/default/files/images/150714170805172_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150714_Luc%2BPercival_0054_HD.jpg)
Savtsova sets world record at swimming Euros
Portugal’s David Grachat also placed himself in pole position to claim the hosts’ first medal in Funchal.
![A group of para swimmers](/sites/default/files/images/160505144246846_New%2BZealand%2Bswim%2Bteam.jpg)
New Zealand name Rio 2016 swim team
Paralympic gold medallists highlight the squad, including Sophie Pascoe and Mary Fisher.
![Close up of man with swim cap](/sites/default/files/images/160503164556937_DSC_0165.jpg)
Dias breaks record, Portugal wins first medal at swimming Euros
A new world record for Ukraine's Dubrov and European marks for Russia's Zhdanov and Spain's Gascon also highlightened the competition in Funchal, Portugal.
![Swimmers doing backstroke](/sites/default/files/images/150715094758513_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150714_Luc%2BPercival_0715_HD.jpg)
Funchal 2016: Action to check out on day five
On Thursday (5 May) the men’s S2 will feature a face-off between a defending champion and swimmer set to make his Paralympic debut in 2016.
![Alex Zanardi](/sites/default/files/images/131114091300715_48%2B_0.jpg)
Zanardi is hoping age is no barrier to further Paralympic glory
The 49-year-old Italian is hoping to add to the two para-cycling gold medals he won at London 2012 at September’s Paralympic Games in Rio.
![Jose Roberto Ferreira de Oliveira (R) and Romario Diego Marques of Brazil fail to stop a goal during the Men's Group A Goalball match between Finland and Brazil at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150505092436370_goalball%2Bbrazil.jpg)
Sport Week: Romario Marques eyes first Paralympic gold
Brazil’s goalball star is hoping to help his country win the Paralympic title on home soil, at Rio 2016.