PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the closing of Toronto 2015](/sites/default/files/images/150817113459689_DSC_9490.jpg)
Diverse interaction in #ProudParalympian at Toronto 2015
Athletes from different sports and backgrounds shared their thoughts on living the Paralympic values.
![Two men in wheelchairs playing table tennis](/sites/default/files/images/150828180405247_Smash%2BDown%2BBarriers.jpg)
‘Smash Down Barriers’ to open doors in Oceania
The programme was aimed to make table tennis an inclusive sport for both able-bodied and para-athletes, especially in Kiribati.
![Marcel Hug offered his knowledge and experience to aspiring wheelchair racers.](/sites/default/files/images/150828142737220_Marcel%2BHug%2Btraining%2Bcamp%2B2015.jpg)
Hug stages training camp in Switzerland
The Swiss world champion passed on his knowledge and experience to a group of enthusiastic wheelchair racers.
![Three women smiling.](/sites/default/files/images/150828175711331_GettyImages-123220354.jpg)
Israel’s Samuel aims for first world title
Moran Samuel is coming off a big World Cup win and hopes to ride that into a world title in the AS women's single sculls.
![Alberto Simonelli](/sites/default/files/images/150828112429808_Alberto%2BSimonelli2.jpg)
Donaueschingen 2015: Simonelli aims to end 17-year drought
The 1998 world champion will face South Korea’s Lee Ouk Soo for gold in the compound men’s open.
![Oz Sanchez competing](/sites/default/files/images/120118141305263_oz_beijing.jpg)
Handcyclist Sanchez set for first race in South Africa
The USA's five-time world champion hopes the Para-Cycling Road World Cup will plant a ‘seed’ in the region.
![Richard Davies of Great Britain competes in the Mixed R4-10m Air Rifle Standing Shooting - SH2 qualifying at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150828092807896_shooting1.jpg)
IPC Shooting begins rules and regulations consultation
Views are being sought from the shooting para-sport community in preparation for the 2017-2020 technical rules and regulations.
![Katja Karjalainen of Finland celebrating her silver medal in the Mixed Dressage - Freestyle grade Ib at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150330150508710_LON_0309_6543.jpg)
Finland, Russia name teams for Deauville 2015
London 2012 silver medallist Katja Karjalainen will lead Finland at the European Para-Equestrian Championships.
![Tickets prices for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games have been announced and are available for sale beginning 7 September for Brazilians.](/sites/default/files/images/150515111732174_rio%2B2016%2Bticket%2Bjourney.jpg)
Tickets for Rio 2016 Paralympics to go on sale
Brazilians can begin applying for tickets on official website starting 7 September, which marks ‘One Year to Go.’
![Spanish players celebrate a goal.](/sites/default/files/images/150827112012260_spanish%2Bplayers%2Bcelebrate%2Ba%2Bgoal.jpg)
Spain head to semis at blind football European Champs
Javier Munoz scored Spain’s ticket to the semi-finals with a 1-0 win over France, while Russia also secured their spot.
![Montage with two photos, one showing a woman playing wheelchair tennis, one a woman in a wheelchair in a dress, posing with a man](/sites/default/files/images/150826140920555_Esther%2BVergeer%2Btbt.jpg)
#ThrowbackThursday: Esther Vergeer
Already firmly etched in the wheelchair tennis record books, the Dutch sensation is now making a business career for herself.
![Rowing was introduced for the first time at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150827125002927_rowing.jpg)
World Para-Rowing Championships see record entries
The number of entries in the boat classes have progressively grown since the sport was added to the Paralympic programme.
![Man and woman congradulate each other.](/sites/default/files/images/150827170708406_WCP15_B15_6059_0.jpg)
Donaueschingen 2015: China, Turkey advance
China will play Great Britain for gold in the compound open mixed event, while Turkey will face the US for gold in the men’s equivalent.
![Two men playing football](/sites/default/files/images/150827172809106_1440688973892.jpg)
Football 7 first sport to complete Rio 2016 qualification
Argentina won the final place at next year’s Paralympics, joining Brazil, the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Russia and Ukraine.
![Yao Yongquan and Cai Changgu at Beijing](/sites/default/files/images/120117092815930_82810738_10.jpg)
IBSA Goalball extends search for 2016-18 hosts
The International Federation for the sport is seeking only letter of intent at this time.
![Three archers on the field of play](/sites/default/files/images/150826170037718_world%2Barchery%2Bchamps.jpg)
Donaueschingen 2015: Russian recurve open team sets WR
Three Russians finished in the top six of the qualifying round and combined to set a new world record by 92 points.
![Uppor body of a man in orange shirt](/sites/default/files/images/140710103500208_120907_204531_mh_8924.jpg)
#WorkoutWednesday: Kenny van Weeghel
The Dutch wheelchair racer gives an insight into his training regime.
![Sergey Malyshev of Russia, wearing glasses, a visor and ear protection shoots his Mixed P3-25m Pistol at an indoor range at The Royal Artillery Barracks](/sites/default/files/images/121114125237775_151193671_0.jpg)
Malyshev launches bid for Paralympic gold
The Russian pistol shooter is more determined than ever to end his silver streak at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![Logo Paralympics New Zealand](/sites/default/files/images/141007104952155_NZ_Paralympics_Corporate.jpg)
Paralympics New Zealand, ACC announce partnership
As their first official activity as partners, PNZ, ACC will launch an event to mark ‘1 Year to Go to Rio 2016.’
![A picture of a woman with a prosthesis wearing an American flag to celebrate her victory](/sites/default/files/images/121116173007472_melissa-stockwell-NZ-1.jpg)
USA Para-Triathlon to host summit during World Championships
The free summit will cover topics from how to start a para-triathlon programme to coaching the athletes.