PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Optivist logo](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-02/Optivist%20final.jpg?itok=ytwLka8U)
EU-funded project creates opportunity for PhD student to join the IPC
The project aims to develop a more objective classification test for visual function
![Markus Salcher](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-02/Markus%20Salcher.jpg?itok=VD-x6M99)
Speed specialist Markus Salcher registers first downhill win in three years
France’s Hyacinthe Deleplace grabs the leader’s bib in men’s vision impaired class
![Tokyo 2020 Playbook cover](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-02/Tokyo%202020%20playbook%20cover%202_1.jpg?h=c197480a&itok=bEGhblb3)
Playbooks published to deliver safe and successful Tokyo 2020
The Playbooks are the official, centralised source of information for the Olympic and Paralympic Games stakeholders, and the first versions will be updated with more details over the coming months
Kiara Rodriguez seeks to win Ecuador's first Paralympic medal
The 18-year-old long jumper targets Tokyo success following world and Parapan titles
![Male sailor with his wife and two kids](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-02/damien-seguin-credit%20Olivier%20Blanchet%20-%20Alea.jpg?h=b547de13&itok=eAfJJsYy)
Para sailor Seguin makes history at Vendée Globe
Two-time Paralympic champion puts up a telling show in the testing solo race, known as the Mt. Everest of the seas
![A men with a prosthetic leg skiing under heavy snow](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-02/Manoel-Bourdenx.jpg?itok=KqsQ5Xxz)
Bourdenx savours return to speed races at Saalbach World Cup
Austria host first downhill and super-G events of the 2020-2021 World Cup season until Sunday
![man in bobsleigh goes round bend](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/170621131008046_para%2Bbobsleigh.jpg?itok=iw-v-jxB)
Para bobsleigh left out of Milano Cortina 2026
The sport did not meet the minimum criteria for the number of nations and regions regularly participating
![Female taekwondo athlete hold Mongolian flag with friend and her medal](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-01/Enkhtuya-Khurelbaatar.jpeg?h=94dd5759&itok=oHTvqumU)
Khurelbaatar on a mission to inspire
The single mother may be a favourite for Para taekwondo gold at Tokyo 2020 but the Mongolian has something bigger in on her mind
![An armless woman competing in Para cross-country in a snowy course](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-01/Danielle%20Aravich-Nordic.jpg?h=bae48e20&itok=cnnwVRO2)
Aravich's mission: make dual Games debuts six months apart
US athlete and one hand photographer targets qualification for Tokyo 2020 in Para athletics and in Para Nordic skiing at Beijing 2022
![British female swimmer smiling with gold medal](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2021-01/ellie-robinson.jpg?h=53c07955&itok=MUcvA5LX)
Robinson believes in power of Paralympic role models
Para swimmer is part of ParalympicsGB’s 'Impossible to Ignore' campaign