RIO 2016 PARALYMPICS NEWS
![Alessandro Zanardi](/sites/default/files/images/130906100945525_Alessandro%2BZanardi.jpg)
Top 10 para-athletes to follow on Twitter ahead of Rio 2016
With three years to go until Rio 2016, we have drawn up a list of 10 para-athletes you should follow, including some heavyweights and some not-so-obvious choices.
![Beatrice Vio](/sites/default/files/images/130830144619238_DSC_1618.jpg)
Top 10 para-athletes you should like on Facebook ahead of Rio 2016
With social media becoming more and more important, we have made a list of the top 10 athletes to like on Facebook ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
![Carlos Nuzman](/sites/default/files/images/130906103738690_Nuzman.jpg)
Carlos Nuzman: Three Years to the Rio 2016 Paralympics
The President of the Rio 2016 Games outlines his vision to improve on London 2012.
![Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre](/sites/default/files/images/130904175042262_Brazilian%2Btraining%2Bcentre.jpg)
Contract signed for Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre
Construction to begin on the countries' first ever dedicated training centre next week.
![Lucas Prado](/sites/default/files/images/130730093003167_9373542390_094a27e083_c_0.jpg)
IPC Athletics announces Rio 2016 medal events
Rio 2016 will feature 177 athletics events, seven more than London 2012, and there will be a 22 per cent increase in the number of track and field medal events for women.
![Empty image](/themes/custom/theme_builder/master_page_rio_2016/images/empty.png)
IPC announce medal event and athlete quotas for Rio 2016 Paralympics
• Games to feature 526 medal events across 22 sports• Women and athletes with high support needs main beneficiaries of additional events
![Amanda Drennan trains in the canoe](/sites/default/files/images/130612145831776_Canoe.jpg)
Swapping goggles for a paddle
Australian Paralympic swimmer has switched her focus to canoe for the Rio 2016 Games.
![Ilham Zakiyev](/sites/default/files/images/130510152146531_151113204_0.jpg)
Azerbaijan judokas target further success in Rio
With support from the president and government Azerbaijan is targeting more medals in 2016
![Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell GB Skud Steam at the 2012 IFDS World Championships](/sites/default/files/images/120302111535996_12_IFDSWC_GBRSKUD%2BCredit%2BIFDS.jpg)
Sailing duo ready for Europeans challenge
Paralympic bronze medallists to return to action for first time since London 2012
![Kids from social programmes invited by Brazil’s sponsor to cheer for athletes](/sites/default/files/images/120425154640469_0111%2Bcredit%2BBrazil%2BNPC.jpg)
Brazilian Paralympic Committee and Caixa sign unprecedented deal
The deal worth 120 million Brazilian real (EUR 46.15 million) until 2016 will be invested in Paralympic sport and athletes.
![A picture of a person visiting a building](/sites/default/files/images/130404145713610_892028_10151526487789111_418816834_o.jpg)
Rio 2016 assess airport accessibility
Members of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee went through the local airport in wheelchairs to determine what improvements must be made prior to the Games.
![A picture of a woman and a man on a podium with medals around their neck](/sites/default/files/images/130206151203656_151291883.jpg)
EBU and IPC team up for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
Already 27 EBU Members have committed to showing the Rio 2016 Paralympics in an extensive new agreement.
![Channel 4 presenters](/sites/default/files/images/120228144726963_Channel4_story_1.jpg)
Channel 4 secures 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games rights
IPC awards broadcaster rights following highly competitive tender process
![A picture of a woman running with a Namibian flag on her shoulder](/sites/default/files/images/170403142045980_170303080553190_Johanna-Benson.jpg)
IPC launches NPC Namibia website
Just six months since winning their first Paralympic gold, a new website has been launched for the National Paralympic Committee of Namibia.
![A picture of a group dancing](/sites/default/files/images/121112150600084_151655502.jpg)
Rio 2016 begins mascot creation process
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee held a briefing with 15 potential companies who could design their Games mascots.