PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS

Veronika Vadovicova concentrates on her next shot.

Shooting medals are the first up for grabs at the Paralympics Games, but who will be on target and claim gold?

Swimmer in the water breathing between two freestyle strokes

New bests for China, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, and Great Britain in the heats open the first day of competition at the Aquatics Stadium.

Gold medalist Daniel Dias of Brazil celebrates on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Freestyle - S5 Final on day 1 of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

A bronze medal for Italo Pereiro also delights the home crowds at the Aquatics Stadium, alongside eight more world records.

A shot of the upper half of two women holding two Paralympic gold medals

Carmen and Ramona Brussig will both defend their Paralympic titles on the opening day of the Rio 2016 judo competition.

Facebook and Instagram collage

Behind the scenes, 360 video, live Q&As and select events from the 2016 Paralympic Games will be available on Facebook and Instagram.

Man in a staduim, waving a flag followed by two other people

US Virgin Islands’ sole representative at September’s Paralympic Games is also a talented artist.

Daniel Dias of Brazil at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, in the mixed zone.

The Brazilian swimmer stands to become one of the most decorated Paralympians of all time – if he wins all his events at Rio 2016.

Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at Maracana Stadium

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.

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.

The 29 table tennis medal events will be contested at the Riocentro Pavilion 3 venue on 8-17 September.