PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Maria Paula Barrera](/sites/default/files/images/160701140203922_Maria%2BPaula%2BBarreraedit.jpg)
Barrera one of Colombia’s brightest stars
The 14-year-old dreams of representing Colombia at a Paralympic Games and winning a medal, and features in a new Agitos Foundation film series.
![Laurentia Tan](/sites/default/files/images/130514153845649_151156627.jpg)
Laurentia Tan works around hearing impairment
The London 2012 silver medallist has developed skills that make her one of the top freestyle Para equestrian riders ahead of Rio.
![Chuck Aoki, Elena Krawzow, Eleonora Sarti, Georgina Hermitage and Gustavo Fernandez.](/sites/default/files/images/160701094036198_FotorCreated.jpg)
Vote now for the Allianz Athlete of the Month – June 2016
The public has until 8 July to vote for their favourite from the five candidates.
![A woman in a wheelchair hits a tennis ball as a backhand.](/sites/default/files/images/140519085040524_464537179_0.jpg)
Kamiji aims for Wimbledon singles title
The Japanese wheelchair tennis player hopes to add the Grand Slam to her resume and have momentum into Rio 2016.
![PyeongChang 2018 launches Volunteer Recruitment Programme](/sites/default/files/images/160630072101816_2.jpg)
PyeongChang 2018 launches Volunteer Recruitment Programme
Around 22,400 volunteers are needed to fulfil a variety of roles during the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
![Swimming Men's 100m Backstroke - S6 Final - London 2012 Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/9ExRPCNX0ynQIDjMuk6eveIfCZEZGH3L2Vra6OEb99c.jpg?itok=AATrPzF1)
‘Armless swimmer’ aims to repeat iconic performances
China’s Tao Zheng shot to fame at London 2012 with his incredible performances and wants to do the same in Brazil in September.
![Jessica Long of the USA competes in the Women's 100m Breaststroke SB7 at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain.](/sites/default/files/images/150715095015310_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150714_Luc%2BPercival_1001_HD.jpg)
US swimmers to vie for selection at Paralympic trials
Brad Snyder and Jessica Long amongst those hoping to impress in Charlotte, North Carolina between 30 June – 2 July.
![Four girls with British flag post behind a scoreboard](/sites/default/files/images/160616172500744_campionati%2Beuropei%2Bgrosseto%2B2016%2B4-49.jpg)
Para sport in review: June 2016
Check out what went on in the Paralympic Movement during June.
![Fabio Vasconcelos](/sites/default/files/images/160630104052531_GettyImages-151217479.jpg)
Vasconcelos targets fourth Paralympic gold
Brazil’s football 5-a-side coach aims to claim the Paralympic title for a fourth consecutive time, after winning the previous three as a goalkeeper.
![Rio Olympic Velodrome](/sites/default/files/images/160630105103414_GettyImages-543155922.jpg)
Sport week: Cycling venues at Rio 2016
Track events will be contested in the Rio Olympic Velodrome, whilst the road events will take place in Pontal.