PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
Paralympics New Zealand initiative wins marketing award
Paralympics New Zealand took out top honours at the 2016 TVNZ New Zealand Marketing Awards, the country’s most prestigious national industry awards.
![Agitos symbol unveiled on Copacabana Beach.](/sites/default/files/images/160902163448727_agitos.jpg)
Agitos sculpture unveiled on Copacabana
The Agitos symbol – made of recyclable plastic to combine concepts of sustainability, inclusiveness and interactivity – was set up for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
![Women on prothesis poses for a picture](/sites/default/files/images/160902211827367_JaabxK4C_0.jpg)
Opening Ceremony to star Amy Purdy with ‘surprise partner’
The US snowboarder and model will perform samba-inspired dance with special guest partner at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
![A picture of the flame at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/140704133155773_LON_0609_2854.jpg)
Heritage Paralympic Flame lit in Stoke Mandeville
The flame was lit at the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement and will be brought together virtually with flames from five Brazilian cities to create the Paralympic Flame.
![US para-equestrian rider Sydney Collier with service dog Journey.](/sites/default/files/images/140907113140196_Journey%2Band%2BSydney%2BCollier_0.jpg)
Para equestrian: Q&A with Sydney Collier
Get to know the US grade 1b rider ahead of Rio 2016.
![P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1)](/sites/default/files/images/160901161053538_3.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1)
Iran’s Sareh Javanmardidodmani looks to add the P4 Paralympic title to her resume.
![Arly Velasquez](/sites/default/files/images/120113122759100_Arly%2BVelasquez%252C%2BMEX.jpg)
Mexico’s Velasquez ready to inspire #ProudParalympians
Alpine skier Arly Velasquez will be one of the athlete leaders at the relaunch of Proud Paralympian at Rio 2016.
![Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) logo](/sites/default/files/images/150821095026808_Logo%2BAus%2BParalympics%2Blandscape2.jpg)
A statement from the Australian Paralympic Committee
Para cyclist Michael Gallagher has been sent home after an out-of-competition drug test in July.
![Women’s 400m freestyle S6](/sites/default/files/images/160902084507938_400m.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s 400m freestyle S6
Ukraine’s Yelyzaveta Mereshko and Great Britain’s Eleanor Simmonds will fight in the race for the title.
![Two judo athletes fighting on a tatami or judo mat.](/sites/default/files/images/160610074739532_GettyImages-150996946.jpg)
Algeria name delegation to Rio 2016
Mouloud Noura is among those to watch at the Paralympics Games.