PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![The giant flag was divided into seven pieces to be transported up to the Christ statue](/sites/default/files/images/160905175427477_NJ16NXfD.jpg)
Message of peace unveiled at Rio landmark
Giant mosaic made up of 500 flags designed by local schoolchildren goes on show ahead of official opening of Paralympics.
![A group of people pose at the Rio 2016 Athlete Village](/sites/default/files/images/160904003421644_14233053_1120387091374975_5311792635866367382_n.jpg)
Al-Hussein visits Ottobock for assessment
The member of the Independent Paralympic Athletes Team went to the Ottobock’s Repair Service Center for Prosthetics, Orthotics and Wheelchairs on Sunday (4 September).
Excitement building in Australia’s Rio 2016 team
Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin believes Australia has the “perfect balance” of experience ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![Aerial view on equestrian stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160323095443134_GettyImages-483340082.jpg)
Para equestrian: Q&A with Elke Philip
Get to know the German grade 1a rider ahead of Rio 2016.
![Abdulla Sultan Alaryani of The United Arab Emirates competes during the Men's R1-10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Final](/sites/default/files/images/121114140450917_151034827_0.jpg)
Experience to be ‘key factor’ for UAE shooter Alaryani
The Paralympic champion knows he has a target on his back but is staying focused ahead of Rio 2016.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S3](/sites/default/files/images/160901175234110_Mens%2B200m%2Bfreestyle%2BS3.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S3
Ukraine’s Dmytro Vynohradets is hoping to reclaim his title from Beijing 2008.
![“Proud Paralympian” education programme will be launched in Dubai, UAE](/sites/default/files/images/150313114858374_Proud%2BParalympian.jpg)
Athletes – check out #ProudParalympian at Rio 2016!
Located in the Athlete Dining Hall, there will be lots of activities and giveaways for all athletes at the Paralympic Games.
![The USA's Jarryd Wallace after breaking the 100m T44 world record at Toronto 2015.](/sites/default/files/images/150812035254472_smNSD115.jpg)
Wallace believes he will be hard to beat at Rio 2016
The US sprinter is aiming to win his first Paralympic gold with victory in the 100m T44.
![Rio 2016 Paralympic integration specialist Marcos Lima (seated, right) is helping to train the descriptive commentators.](/sites/default/files/images/160904182536868_xLwttYQl.jpg)
Commentators for the blind learn new skills at Rio 2016
At Paralympic venues in Rio, trained specialists will deliver an in-depth radio commentary service for people with a visual impairment.
![Paralympic swimmer Gledson Soares, a double medal winner who comes from the region, was the final torchbearer in Natal on Saturday (3 September)](/sites/default/files/images/160904183519144_wbpL0GzS.jpg)
Rio 2016 Paralympic Torch tours Natal
Third day of relay, in northeastern Brazil, has inspiration as its theme and Paralympic athletes in prominent roles as torchbearers.