PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Aerial view on stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160603134409573_Maracana.jpg)
MEP calls on European media for Games to be an event without communication barriers
Silvia Costa MEP, the Chair of the Committee on Culture, Education and Sport at the European Parliament, has called for media to give equal prominence to the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Yes I Can!” Channel 4 create “best Paralympic TV commercial ever!”
IPC President Sir Philip Craven gives his glowing reaction to the British broadcaster’s new Rio 2016 Paralympic Games TV commercial.
![Sir Philip Craven](/sites/default/files/images/160531064953039_Sir%2BPhilip.jpg)
Speakers announced for the Inclusion Summit at the IPC Academy Campus
The event will take place between 15-16 September in Rio to coincide with the Paralympic Games.
![Marcelo Rubens Paiva](/sites/default/files/images/160714082705391_paiva.jpg)
Rio 2016 creative director : ‘You’ll cry tears of emotion’
With two months until the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony, Marcelo Paiva speaks about his sports experience and inspirations for the celebration.
![Heinrich Popow of Germany](/sites/default/files/images/160715080828812_Heinrich%2BPopow.jpg)
Preview: IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Berlin
The penultimate Grand Prix of 2016 will bring together many stars names, including a number of newly crowned European champions.
![Adrian Castro](/sites/default/files/images/160715084043631_Adrian%2BCastro.jpg)
Castro takes ‘last exam’ before Rio
Wheelchair fencing world champion Adrian Castro will compete in his final major competition before the Paralympics.
![Benoit Huot of Canada](/sites/default/files/images/150929120351213_GettyImages-481323252.jpg)
Canada’s Huot nominated for fifth Paralympic Games
Other big medals hopes in swimming include Aurelie Rivard who sits alongside a team of 22 athletes heading to Rio 2016.
![Heiko Kroger](/sites/default/files/images/130426202737900_Heiko-Kroger-ISAF-World-Cup-Hyeres.jpg)
Sport week: Kroeger targets Paralympic medal
Germany’s Sydney 2000 sailing gold medallist is hoping to climb onto the podium at September’s Games.
![A female swimmer doing breaststroke](/sites/default/files/images/160118121816232_Marks_Elizabeth_1_800_375.jpg)
Marks, McFadden and Browne receive ESPY awards
All three US Para athletes were recognised for their 2015 sporting performances during a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles.
![It’s #1YeartoGo until the start of the World Para Athletics Championships in London, UK.](/sites/default/files/images/160714110849534_1yeartogo_0.jpg)
London 2017 makes two board appointments
To coincide with one year to go, British athletes Stef Reid and Vanessa Daobry have taken up key positions with the Organising Committee.
![Jeff Sauer, coach of Team USA, in the preliminary game against Germany at the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool in Buffalo, USA.](/sites/default/files/images/150428043349769_20150427_USA%2Bv%2BDEU_0097.jpg)
Sauer to continue as head US ice sledge hockey coach
USA Hockey also confirmed the support staff and the dates of the national team try-outs.
![Group of people](/sites/default/files/images/160714134905325_Paralympic%2Bpresenters%2B2016.jpg)
Channel 4 unveils Rio Paralympics team
The broadcaster has continued its commitment to on and off screen diversity by recruiting the largest number of presenters with an impairment ever seen on British television.
![The IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil will feature 350 athletes from 39 countries between 29-31 May](/sites/default/files/images/150528110826679_nottwil.jpg)
Para athletics explained: how to organise a Grand Prix
Roger Getzmann, Competition Director of the Nottwil Grand Prix explains how to organise a major Para athletics event.
![Woman in sailing boat.](/sites/default/files/images/160131092127780_160126_jr_2690_SWCMiami_small.jpg)
Sport week: History of sailing
Sailing has been contested at every Paralympic Games since its introduction as a demonstration event at Atlanta 1996.
![Sprinting woman](/sites/default/files/images/150814164109013_GettyImages-477869570.jpg)
Hayes prepares for 400m challenge at Berlin Grand Prix
The T13 South African will be aiming for consistency over one lap this weekend as she targets double Paralympic gold this September.
![Jouko Grip](/sites/default/files/images/160714073654679_Jouko%2BGrip.jpg)
Throwback Thursday: Finland’s Jouko Grip
1984 was a great year for the Finnish athlete, who won five golds between the Summer and Winter Paralympics.
![Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina](/sites/default/files/images/150721092308354_12.jpg)
Argentina announce Rio 2016 delegation
Wheelchair tennis player Gustavo Fernandez, the football 5 team and swimmer Nadia Baez spearhead the 82-strong delegation for September’s Paralympics.
![Yannick Bourseaux](/sites/default/files/images/121102113257363_Yannick_Bourseaux_20-10-12.jpg)
Canada and France name athletes for Rio 2016
Canada announced their Paralympic triathlon and table tennis teams, whilst France nominated five triathletes for September’s Paralympic Games.
![Blindfolded man on a field of play throwing a ball](/sites/default/files/images/150716164114914_11072365_603617883113300_1511308978130660417_o.jpg)
Lithuania to host International Goalball Tournament
10 men´s teams will face-off in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 14-17 July, as they enter the final stage of preparations for Rio 2016.
![Two men sprinting on a track](/sites/default/files/images/160713120955299_David%2BBrown.jpg)
My best and worst moments with the USA’s David Brown
The US T11 sprinter reflects on career highs and lows.