PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Kirsten Bruhn](/sites/default/files/images/121128103308407_151278400_0.jpg)
Top German athletes scoop up awards
Kirsten Bruhn won a BAMBI award, and Birgit Kober, Jochen Wollmert and Germany’s women’s wheelchair basketball team were also honoured.
![Rob Richardson](/sites/default/files/images/121127105110750_131955805_0.jpg)
Rob Richardson: Funding, football and media bingo
Great Britain’s sitting volleyball captain discusses the future of his programme, his work with Arsenal's football club and games he plays with the media.
![Fatma Omar](/sites/default/files/images/120902202451391_Fatma%2BOmar.jpg)
No. 35: Egyptian powerlifter wins battle of giants
When Egypt’s Fatma Omar won the -56kg powerlifting competition in London, she stole the hearts of the crowd and earned herself spot No. 35 in the top 50 moments of 2012.
IPC Swimming calls for bids for 2014 European Championships
IPC Swimming has announced the opening of the bidding process for the 2014 IPC Swimming European Championships
![Ellie Simmonds](/sites/default/files/images/120903221341147_Simmonds_0.jpg)
3 Paralympians up for BBC’s SPOTY
London 2012 Paralympic gold medallists Sarah Storey, Ellie Simmonds and David Weir have all been nominated for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
Rwanda hosts leadership training for East African NPCs
East African Paralympic committees in Rwanda last week to discuss how to further develop disability sport in their region.
![Gideon Sam](/sites/default/files/images/121127111845351_Gideon_0.jpg)
Sam re-elected to lead SASOC
Gideon Sam will lead the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in South Africa for another four years.
![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 awarded $50,000 grant
US Paralympics have given USA Para-Triathlon monies to help fuel growth in the sport among American military veterans.
![Sochi 2014 Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing Centre](/sites/default/files/images/120926101719958_6885525101_af8ac98817_b.jpg)
Sochi’s Accessibility Map project wins Runet Award
The Sochi 2014 organising committee’s online Accessibility Map was awarded for its advancement in technology and social purpose.
![Oscar Pistorius and Esther Vergeer](/sites/default/files/images/121126153708484_Pistorius_0388_0.jpg)
Vergeer, Pistorius discuss future of Paralympic Games
Wheelchair tennis gold medallist Esther Vergeer and blade runner Oscar Pistorius shared their views last week on what’s next for the Paralympic Movement.
![A picture of a man pushing a smal ball with a metal arm hooked to his head](/sites/default/files/images/121126144243663_151227999_0.jpg)
No. 36: Perfect shot with moments to spare
With seconds left on the clock, Greece’s Greg Polychronidis was just one ball away from his dream of Paralympic gold. His winning shot, when the pressure was on, is the No. 36 moment of 2012.
![Stefan Olsson and Peter Vikstrom](/sites/default/files/images/121126141800709_151447957_0.jpg)
Swedish Paralympic champions nominated for Jerringpriset
Peter Vikström and Stefan Olsson, Anna-Carin Ahlquist, Maja Reichard and Jonas Jacobsson are up for one of Sweden’s most prestigious sport awards.
No. 37: Argentina’s rising wheelchair tennis star
Gustavo Fernandez, 18, beat three of the world’s top four players at the Japan Open in May, making for the No. 37 moment of 2012.
![Michele George](/sites/default/files/images/121124175848793_george2.jpg)
No. 38: Belgium’s George pulls in double surprise
Equestrian rider Michèle George won two surprise golds at London 2012, making for the No. 38 moment of the year in Paralympic sport.
![Sylwester Flis](/sites/default/files/images/121123163950157_18_0.jpg)
Ice sledge hockey growing triple-fold
In the last 16 years eight countries have been added to the ice sledge hockey World Championship programme.
![Irek Zaripov](/sites/default/files/images/120130115345014_James%2BNetz%2B-4002_0.jpg)
No. 39: Russia dominate IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup
Last season, Russia dominated the World Cup rankings to come in as the No. 39 moment of 2012 after taking seven of 12 trophies in biathlon and cross-country.