RIO 2016 PARALYMPICS NEWS
![Rio 2016 Paralympic Torch design is white with red, orange circles.](/sites/default/files/images/151211155123932_torch.jpg)
Paralympic Torch to be lit up by internet users
Hashtags related to the Paralympic and Rio 2016 values and sent by social media users around the world will be used to 'light' the flame virtually.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S5](/sites/default/files/images/160829151752496_SW%2BMens%2B200%2Bfree%2BS5.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S5
Home favourite Daniel Dias will go for his first gold medal at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 88kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826161120334_Powerlifting%2Bmen%2Bup%2Bto%2B88.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 88kg
This may be one of the tightest battles for gold.
![Aerial view on stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160603134409573_Maracana.jpg)
Ticket sales for Rio 2016 Paralympic Games pass one million mark
Surge in interest after success of Olympic Games continues, with nearly 100 sessions sold out.
![Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 79kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826161152520_Powerlifting%2Bwomen%2Bup%2Bto%2B79.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 79kg
Expect Bose Omolayo and Lili Xu pushing each other to their very limits.
![Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 73kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826162655465_Powerlifting%2Bwomen%2Bup%2Bto%2B73.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 73kg
There is a big wedge between world-record holder Souhad Ghazouani and the rest of the field.
![A Paralympian celebrates winning an award](/sites/default/files/images/160826140407433_Renato%2BOliveira%2BLeite.jpg)
Brazil’s Leite ready to be a #ProudParalympian
Reigning sitting volleyball Parapan Am champion Renato Oliveira Leite will help promote a new initiative.
![Tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/160523070757927_Rio%2Btickets_0.jpg)
Latest Rio 2016 record: 145,000 tickets sold on one day
So far, about 800,000 tickets have been sold of the total 2.5 million tickets available.
![Rio 2016 Paralympic Torch design is white with red, orange circles.](/sites/default/files/images/151211155123932_torch.jpg)
Rio 2016 Paralympic torch lit in Brasilia
The Paralympic torch relay will begin on 1 September and will visit five cities around Brazil on its way to Rio de Janeiro.
![Woman in wheelchair doing archery](/sites/default/files/images/160826115944666_Neroli%2BSusan%2BFairhall_0.jpg)
IPC announces 2016 Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame inductees
Five individuals will join the list of Paralympic legends during the Rio 2016 Games.
![Man with amputated leg sitting close to swimming pool](/sites/default/files/images/160826115220046_Ibrahim%2BAl%2BHussein%2B2%2Bcredit%2BUNHCR%2BAchilleas%2BZavallis_1.jpg)
Ibrahim Al Hussein spreads message of hope
Syrian refugee who lost his leg will compete as part of Independent Paralympic Athletes Team at Rio 2016.
![Ibrahim Al Hussein](/sites/default/files/images/160826093021838_Ibrahim%2BAl%2BHussein%2B7%2Bcredit%2BUNHCR%2BAchilleas%2BZavallis.jpg)
Two to form Independent Paralympic Athletes Team
The full team, including Chef de Mission, coaching and support staff, will travel to Rio 2016 under the Paralympic flag.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 80kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826162622859_Powerlifting%2Bmen%2Bup%2Bto%2B80.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 80kg
World champion Xiao Fei Gu has a chance to upgrade his Paralympic silver to gold.
![Shingo Kunieda of Japan](/sites/default/files/images/160602111451059_Shingo%2BKunieda.jpg)
Wheelchair tennis entry list announced for Rio 2016
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed the full list of singles and doubles entries for the Rio 2016 Paralympic tennis events.
![Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 67kg](/sites/default/files/images/160823125214230_Powerlifting%2Bwomen%2Bup%2Bto%2B67.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 67kg
After bursting onto the scene at London 2012, Yujiao Tan appears primed for gold at Rio.
![Pope Francis wishes athletes good luck for the Rio 2016 Paralympics](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/ZPTgnQZqgS-OlUpvg922RyCEzudegFlOR7cOzp5-My8.jpg?itok=RoH5iYZH)
Pope Francis wishes athletes good luck for the Rio 2016 Paralympics
Four athletes on Wednesday had the opportunity to discuss with the Holy Father the impact the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will have around the world.