PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![IPC Top moment 44 Wheelchair Dance Sport – Continents Cup](/sites/default/files/images/131118101957624_44%2B2013%2BCREDIT%2BAnton%2BGalitskiy2_0.jpg)
IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport updates 2014-17 rulebook
Changes made to athlete eligibility at major Championships and rules and judging criteria for freestyle/showdance events.
![Group of young girls in Rio 2016 shirts](/sites/default/files/images/160229144214196_150804120515689_school_kids_at_maracanazinho.jpg)
Rio 2016 to launch education programme online
Initiative to promote Olympic, Paralympic sports expected to reach seven million Brazilian kids and be available in English and Spanish.
![Powerlifting at the Parapans](/sites/default/files/2019-10/weightlifting1.jpg)
Toronto 2015 preview: Powerlifting
Brazil led the medals table in 2011, but the competition is far more open in 2015.
Toronto 2015 preview: Wheelchair rugby
On home territory, Canada, the world’s second best side will be aiming to win gold, but the USA will have something to say about that.
![Katie Holloway](/sites/default/files/images/140103035400774_151470317_0.jpg)
Toronto 2015 preview: Sitting volleyball
Brazil’s men and the USA’s women will start as favourites for gold in the sitting volleyball competition.
![Woman sitting on a bench, preparing for her competition](/sites/default/files/images/150804143549150__MG_8687small.jpg)
Interview with a champion: Mexico’s Perla Barcenas
The Parapan American powerlifting gold medallist is on the way back from injury hoping to top the podium once again between 7-15 August.
![Brent Lakatos at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships Lyon](/sites/default/files/images/130726192200768_Lakatos_cropped.jpg)
Brent Lakatos hopes Toronto 2015 can have huge impact
The Canadian world champion wheelchair sprinter believes the upcoming Parapan American Games can deliver a “London 2012 legacy” for his home country.
![Dwight Drummond, CBC News Toronto co-host, carries the Parapan Am flame on board a helicopter in Niagara Falls, Ontario.](/sites/default/files/images/150804023730070_19646602914_49fef5293c_o.jpg)
Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games Torch Relay gets underway
The relay started with two separate flames, one lit in Ottawa and the other lit at the spectacular Niagara Falls.
![Collage of five athletes photos](/sites/default/files/images/150804092602014_Aotm%2BJuly.jpg)
Vote now for the Allianz Athlete of the Month – July 2015
The public has until Tuesday 11 August to vote for their favourite from the five candidates.
![Three men on a podium](/sites/default/files/images/150715095319943_2015%2BIPC%2BSwimming%2BWorld%2BChampionships_20150714_Luc%2BPercival_1715_HD.jpg)
Huot: Three athletes to look out for at Toronto 2015
In between the recent World Championships and the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, Canadian favourite Benoit Huot offered his picks of the best swimmers to look out for.
![Agitos in Rio](/sites/default/files/images/121125163351502_Agitos%2BRio%2Balexferro.jpg)
IPC launches call for Rio 2016 research applications
Proposals are invited in the areas of athlete health, classification, sport counselling, assistive technology, athlete identity, marketing and branding, development and public awareness, as well as other relevant subject areas.
![Three women on the podium](/sites/default/files/images/150803115243837_150802_WM2015_AndreaEskau_Gold_.jpg)
Para-cycling: Mazzone sweeps H2 class, Eskau tops H5
Italy’s Mazzone dominated his class with gold in all three events; Germany’s Eskau rebounded from a tough season with gold in the road race.
![Jan Francisco BRITO da COSTA, Ukraine, Brazil, football, seven-a-side, Ukraine vs Brazil, london 2012](/sites/default/files/images/140721095846499_LON_0509_5905.jpg)
Toronto 2015 preview: Football 7-a-side
World’s best player Jan Francisco aims to light up Toronto 2015 and win gold for Brazil.
![Man with an arm amputation crossing a finish line](/sites/default/files/images/150803143301202_Martin%2BSchulz.jpg)
Schulz overcomes close start in para-triathlon test event
The German trailed Great Britain’s Peasgood in the first two legs but came back in the running portion for the gold.
![Graphic with a photo of a wheelchair rugby scene](/sites/default/files/images/150803141626997_Multi%2Bfeed.jpg)
IPC to livestream four sports from Toronto 2015
From 8 August, viewers will be able to choose from athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and a mixed channel.
Recapping the month in para-sport: July 2015
The IPC Swimming World Championships were not the only major event that wrapped up last month.
![A picture of 2 men in a canoe shaking their hands celebrating a victory](/sites/default/files/images/120516115112987_20100820-01844_Poznan%2BCredit%2BBalint%2BVekassy.jpg)
What to watch: August 2015
It will be a big month for many athletes, with Toronto 2015 and World Championships in canoe and archery on the agenda.
![Multiple world and Paralympic champion, Yunidis Castillo, gives an insight into her three heroes.](/sites/default/files/images/150720092915706_26%2BJuly%2B2015.jpg)
#SuperheroSunday: Yunidis Castillo
The Cuban sprinter is preparing for a busy summer preparing to defend her titles at August’s Parapan American Games and October’s World Championships.
![This iconic Toronto sign in Nathan Philiips Square has become a hit during Toronto 2015.](/sites/default/files/images/150802122930948_Toronto%2Bsign.jpg)
Big interview: Kristina Molloy of Toronto 2015
Q&A with the Director of Planning and Integration of the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, which run from 7-15 August.
![Emmy Kaiser](/sites/default/files/images/150116112353920_Emmy%2BKaiser%2Bby%2BSteve%2BWylie.jpg)
USA’s Kaiser aims for gold at Toronto 2015
In her second Parapan Am Games, the wheelchair tennis player hopes to triumph this time around.