PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Spain's Juan Jose Mendez Fernandez competes in the men's 3km C1 Individual Pursuit Qualifying at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.](/sites/default/files/images/161231145617945_GettyImages-601090252.jpg)
Craig Spence: My top five moments of 2016
The IPC’s Director of Media and Communications looks back at his favourite moments from an exhausting and exhilarating 2016.
![Hannah Cockroft of Great Britain competes in the Women's 800m - T34](/sites/default/files/images/160916235349860_GettyImages-606519300.jpg)
BPA and Allianz extend partnership
The British Paralympic Association (BPA) and Allianz UK have extended their partnership through until 2020.
![IPC Top 50 moments 2016 - 1 - landscape](/sites/default/files/images/161215111441702_01%2Blandscape%2B-%2BGetty.jpg)
No. 1 Rio 2016 are the People’s Games
Despite issues in the build-up, the Rio 2016 showed to the world that the Paralympics can be a success in any country they are staged.
Wheelchair fencing: Five things we learned in 2016
From the emergence of new stars to the resurgence of former champions - what 2016 taught us about wheelchair fencing.
![Natalia Partyka competing in Rio de Janeiro](/sites/default/files/images/160914134252549_GettyImages-588939342.jpg)
Table tennis: Five things we learned in 2016
The sport saw the rise of a 16-year-old Paralympic champion, as well as an Egyptian player who captured much attention with his playing style.
Lithuanian Paralympic PR campaign wins major award
A campaign to raise awareness about Lithuanian Paralympians ahead of Rio 2016 scooped the country’s best sports communication campaign of the year.
![IPC Top 50 moments 2016 - 2 - landscape](/sites/default/files/images/161215111215650_02%2Blandscape%2B-%2BGetty.jpg)
No. 2: More medals for more countries
A total of 83 countries won at least one medal at Rio 2016, the most ever at a Paralympic Games.
![Australia's Chris Bond pushes down the court as USA's Josh Brewer reaches for the ball](/sites/default/files/images/160918215616140_Bogetti-Smith_Rio%2BParalympics_Rugby%2B18_20160918_0022.jpg)
Wheelchair rugby: Five things learned from 2016
Tokyo 2020 might see a shuffle in the final medal standings. Find out what else emerged from this year.
![No. 3 The IPC make a stand for clean sport](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/VI3PpMG-moBlSm8i2ToTtzf9esJROllcY_X3qA1Dmk0.jpg?itok=ymMObmur)
No. 3 The IPC make a stand for clean sport
On 7 August the IPC suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee for failure to fulfil its IPC membership obligations.
![Group of people pose in front of slopes](/sites/default/files/images/161228104736870_161228_PyeongChang%2B2018%2BPress%2BRelease_Photo%2B3.jpg)
Jeongseon Alpine Centre to host Para alpine skiing and snowboard in 2018
The IPC and PyeongChang agree to consolidate venue for Test Events and 2018 Paralympic Winter Games