PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at Maracana Stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160908103415004_opening.jpg)
Colourful and joyous – Rio knows how to put on a show
The Maracana stadium hosted a spectacular Opening Ceremony for the Paralympics on Wednesday (September 8).
![The Ukrainian Football 7-a-side team at the Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) Pre-Paralympic Tournament in Salou, Spain.](/sites/default/files/images/170202111536559_Ukrainian-Football-7-a-side.jpg)
Ukraine aim to reclaim football 7 Paralympic title
After winning silver at London 2012, world No.1 Ukraine will be the strong favourite to reclaim in Rio the Paralympic title they won at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
![A look inside a venue where table tennis will be contested. On the court are four tennis tables set up.](/sites/default/files/images/160615155747927_GettyImages-498704876.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: table tennis
The 29 table tennis medal events will be contested at the Riocentro Pavilion 3 venue on 8-17 September.
![Ibrahim Al Hussein](/sites/default/files/images/160826093021838_Ibrahim%2BAl%2BHussein%2B7%2Bcredit%2BUNHCR%2BAchilleas%2BZavallis.jpg)
Ibrahim Al-Hussein revealed as flag bearer for IPA Team
The swimmer, who lost his leg in a bombing in Syria, will be the first athlete to enter the Maracana Stadium at the Opening Ceremony.
![Lin Ma](/sites/default/files/images/140320132731125_151420183.jpg)
Lin Ma targets table tennis trifecta
Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Ma Lin admits he has not had the best preparation leading up to the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Rio 2016 preview: Wheelchair basketball
Who will come out on top at Rio 2016? Here’s our look ahead to all the wheelchair basketball action at the Paralympic Games.
![Rio Olympic Velodrome](/sites/default/files/images/160630105103414_GettyImages-543155922.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: cycling track
Get the lowdown on a series of brilliant races and all the breath-taking action set for the Rio Olympic Velodrome between 15 and 18 September.
![Samsung logo](/sites/default/files/images/140515120414052_samsungwordmark_0.jpg)
30 Paralympians to create Samsung Paralympic Blogger videos in Rio
In addition to creating standard-format Samsung Paralympic Blogs with a Samsung Galaxy S7, 30 of the world’s top Paralympians at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will give an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into their lives with 360 vlogs.
![General view of the Future Arena.](/sites/default/files/images/160505094716362_future%2Barena.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: goalball
Men’s world champions Brazil will begin their quest for Paralympic gold v Sweden, whilst women’s London 2012 gold medallists Japan will make their debut v Israel.
![Cuba’s Yunidis Castillo and Omara Durand](/sites/default/files/images/160429080202368_od.jpg)
Agitos Foundation looks ahead to ground-breaking Paralympics
With the release of the final road to Rio 2016 athlete stories, the IPC’s development arm is confident Rio 2016 will be a landmark Paralympics for Para sport development.