PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Four Para athletes have been shortlisted for the Allianz Athlete of the Month poll for August 2016: Ekrem Gundogdu, Hannah Cockroft, Mehdi Jemali and Heinrich Popow.](/sites/default/files/images/160901070415215_AOTM.jpg)
Vote now for the Allianz Athlete of the Month – August 2016
The public has until 6 September to vote for their favourite from the four candidates.
![Aerial view on stadium](/sites/default/files/images/160603134409573_Maracana.jpg)
Ticket sales for Rio 2016 Paralympic Games pass one million mark
Surge in interest after success of Olympic Games continues, with nearly 100 sessions sold out.
![The USA's David Blair in action during the men's discus F44 final at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.](/sites/default/files/images/160515113008818_GettyImages-493754872.jpg)
Blair targets Paralympic gold after over a decade away from sport
The world record holder will make his Paralympic debut at the age of 41 years.
![Colombian Coach Jesus Kerguelen](/sites/default/files/images/160708104456304_Jesus%2B2.jpg)
#TeamAgitos: Kerguelen, a life devoted to Para sports
The Colombian aims to raise awareness of Para sports in his country and is hoping to see one of his pupils qualifying for the Paralympic Games one day.
![Cécile Hernandez-Cervellon, Marie Bochet, Thomas Clarion and guide Julien Bourla](/sites/default/files/images/160829093404379_FotorCreated.jpg)
French skiers, snowboarders prepare for new season
Athletes from all three sports have been completing summer training before getting back to the snow.
![Andre Brasil of Brazil competes at the 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships in Funchal, Portugal.](/sites/default/files/images/160505113754243_DSC_3136.jpg)
Brasil ready to excel in front of home crowd
Brazil’s multiple Paralympic champion swimmer Andre Brasil is looking to make a splash at September’s Paralympics in Rio.
![Woman riding a horse](/sites/default/files/images/160413084033079_Philippa%2BJOHNSON-DWYER%2B_Individual_Simon%2BPhoto.jpg)
Para equestrian: Q&A with Philippa Johnson-Dwyer
Get to know the South African rider ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![NPC Australia and NPC USA - logo](/sites/default/files/images/160829114507367_aus%2Busa2.jpg)
USA and Australia add athletes to Paralympic teams
Australia received nine extra spots, whilst 22 athletes were added to USA’s team at September’s Paralympic Games.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S5](/sites/default/files/images/160829151752496_SW%2BMens%2B200%2Bfree%2BS5.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s 200m freestyle S5
Home favourite Daniel Dias will go for his first gold medal at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
![Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 88kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826161120334_Powerlifting%2Bmen%2Bup%2Bto%2B88.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Men’s up to 88kg
This may be one of the tightest battles for gold.
![The Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar](/sites/default/files/images/170202105404905_Frank-Hosmar.jpg)
Para equestrian: Q&A with Frank Hosmar
Get to know Dutch rider Frank Hosmar ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
![R8 (women’s 50m rifle three positions SH1)](/sites/default/files/images/160825115050859_Shooting%2BR8.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: R8 (women’s 50m rifle three positions SH1)
Cuiping Zhang has plenty of momentum entering the Paralympics.
Ireland’s McKillop enjoys trouble-free build-up – for a change
Rio 2016 will be the middle distance runners third Games and so far he has won three Paralympic titles.
![Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 79kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826161152520_Powerlifting%2Bwomen%2Bup%2Bto%2B79.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 79kg
Expect Bose Omolayo and Lili Xu pushing each other to their very limits.
Draw made for 2016 IWRF European Championship Division B
The event will take place in Nottwil, Switzerland, from 3-10 October 2016.
![Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 73kg](/sites/default/files/images/160826162655465_Powerlifting%2Bwomen%2Bup%2Bto%2B73.jpg)
Rio 2016 preview: Women’s up to 73kg
There is a big wedge between world-record holder Souhad Ghazouani and the rest of the field.
IWBF launches new website heading into Rio 2016
The IWBF’s newly-structure website provides more user-friendly wheelchair basketball information ahead of the Paralympics.
![A Paralympian celebrates winning an award](/sites/default/files/images/160826140407433_Renato%2BOliveira%2BLeite.jpg)
Brazil’s Leite ready to be a #ProudParalympian
Reigning sitting volleyball Parapan Am champion Renato Oliveira Leite will help promote a new initiative.
![2015 IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships](/sites/default/files/images/160407112334553_powerlifting_eger%2B%25285%2529.jpg)
Para powerlifting calendar confirmed until 2020
Seven World Cups join the world and regional Championships already confirmed for 2017-2020.
![Man with amputated leg sitting close to swimming pool](/sites/default/files/images/160826115220046_Ibrahim%2BAl%2BHussein%2B2%2Bcredit%2BUNHCR%2BAchilleas%2BZavallis_1.jpg)
Ibrahim Al Hussein spreads message of hope
Syrian refugee who lost his leg will compete as part of Independent Paralympic Athletes Team at Rio 2016.