PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Michael Brannigan - Rio 2016](/sites/default/files/images/170109122051037_Michael%2BBrannigan_Athletics_GettyImages-604316190.jpg)
Para athletics record breakers – February
Find our who raised the bar in terms of performance this month in Para athletics
![Lisa Gjessing - Taekwondo](/sites/default/files/images/170118093909457_Lisa%2BGjessing%2B5.jpg)
Para taekwondo rankings updated following US Open
Ten athletes entered the world rankings for the first time.
![Collage with five sports pictures](/sites/default/files/images/170302142944557_Aotm-February.jpg)
Vote now for the Allianz Athlete of the Month – February 2017
The public has until 9 March to vote for their favourite among the five candidates.
![Pepo Puch - Rio 2016](/sites/default/files/images/170105143319916_Pepo%2BPuch_Equestrian_GettyImages-605698496.jpg)
Top riders in Doha for first major international
Competition is first to use the new names for the sport’s five grades.
![Men's -88 kg | FAZZA World Para Powerlifting World Cup](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/pkLvrHUe1fn2PSNfwEheGn5GDcJsG-lsuouNQNZYLCU.jpg?itok=H_kkoHFE)
Dankers beats powerlifting world champion Al Juneidi
China’s Miaoyu Han also had an exceptional international debut, winning the women’s up to 73kg at the World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
![Marjolein Buis of the Netherlands competes against Lucy Shuker of Great Britain in their Quarterfinal match during the Australian Open 2017 Wheelchair Championships.](/sites/default/files/images/170301112518788_buis.jpg)
Olsson, Buis and Schroder claim Bolton titles
The USN Bolton Arena Indoor came to a close on 25 February, with Olsson and Buis sealing their first wheelchair tennis titles and Schroder his second in 2017.
![Ivano and Lucca Pizzi of Italy celebrate winning the Men's Individual B Cycling Road Race at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/170301114017014_GettyImages-151508080.jpg)
Five reasons why Paralympians make great employees
If you are looking for exceptional employees who are able to inspire people around the globe and have the tenacity and drive for success, think of hiring a Paralympian!
Lignano Masters draws top international competition
Many Rio 2016 table tennis medallists will take on their first international event of 2017.
![Slovakia’s Jozef Metelka ensured himself of gold in the men’s 4,000m pursuit race final in the C4 class at Apeldoorn 2015.](/sites/default/files/images/150329075611629_Slovak.jpg)
Los Angeles ready to receive world’s best Para cyclists
The UCI Para cycling Track World Championships will kick off in the US coastal city on 2 March, with close to 80 athletes from 20 countries competing.
FISA Extraordinary Congress integrates Para rowing
Major foundations were laid for securing and building the sport’s future at the Paralympic Games following the federation’s meeting.
![Group picture](/sites/default/files/images/170301144406341_classification-meeting.jpg)
Classification meetings conclude in Bonn
Experts and heads were updated on the latest research findings and also discussed ways to improve their sport’s classification systems.
![A picture of a man with one arm cycling during pursuit race.](/sites/default/files/images/130111114034892_LON_3108_4199.jpg)
Monthly preview: March 2017
Check out all the events that will headline this month in Para sport.
![Portrait picture of woman](/sites/default/files/images/170301152055830_Miriam-Malone.jpg)
Miriam Malone new Paralympics Ireland CEO
“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO for Paralympics Ireland, I look forward to repaying the trust shown to me,” Malone said after the announcement.
![A general view of a street scene near the PyeongChang Mountain Cluster, host of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.](/sites/default/files/images/170301080950183_PyeongChang%2B2018.jpg)
Final PyeongChang 2018 Chef de Mission seminar begins
Nearly 100 delegates from around the world are in South Korea for final updates ahead of next year’s Paralympic Winter Games.
![Graphic with wheelchair racer](/sites/default/files/images/170303074218474_David-Weir.jpg)
London 2017 launches resale scheme for Worlds tickets
The aim is to safeguard tickets for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships and the IAAF World Championships.
World Shooting Para Sport agrees changes
The Sport Technical Committee was reappointed and discussed a variety of topics with the management team.
![Men's -80 kg | FAZZA World Para Powerlifting World Cup](/sites/default/files/styles/video_crop_16_9/public/oembed_thumbnails/mDL4agNexwL3kfCg4zK1lkum3ctXWOxMIfS1L3teCBg.jpg?itok=pWaR0F9v)
Khattab takes maiden powerlifting World Cup victory
Ukrainian, Syrian, Thai and Iraqi athletes also made it onto the podium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
![South Korea stunned Norway with an incredible comeback at the Torino Para Ice Hockey International](/sites/default/files/images/170301111148343_south%2Bkorea.jpg)
South Korea beat Norway in nine-goal thriller
Canada also claimed their second victory of the Torino Para Ice Hockey International with victory over hosts Italy on Tuesday (28 February).
![NPCs from around the world were officially invited to attend the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games by IPC President Sir Philip Craven at a special ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea.](/sites/default/files/images/170228113129748_pyeongchang.jpg)
Nations officially invited to PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games
Around 45 countries are expected to compete in the Games which will take place between 9-18 March 2018.
![The construction of the Pan Am and Parapan Am Village began on 24 February in the district of Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru.](/sites/default/files/images/170228111137134_lima.jpg)
Lima 2019 Athletes Village construction starts
The construction of the Pan Am and Parapan Am Village began on 24 February in the district of Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru.