PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Women in canoe during a race](/sites/default/files/images/150318095341586_blunk_megan_1_800x375.jpg)
Pan American countries see increase in para-canoe participation
According to COPAC’s Leonardo Maiola the sport is enjoying growth ahead of its debut at Rio 2016.
![Goalkeeper Corbin Watson of Canada looks dejected after the Ice Sledge Hockey Play-off semi final between Canada and the United States of America at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150413101722326_478435197.jpg)
Corbin Watson’s three hockey heroes
Find out who Canada’s ice sledge hockey goaltender is modelling his game on ahead of the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool.
![Ka Man Wong of Hong Kong serves during her Women's singles Gold medal match against Chi Ka Yeung of Hong Kong at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150413103112495_151137635.jpg)
First INAS Awards presented
The Ceremony took place in Sheffield, Great Britain, with athletes from Hong Kong scooping two major awards.
![Preview of a magazine Paralympian pages 30 and 31 with the interviews of Jose Luis Campo, president Americas Paralympic Committee and Andrew Parsons, president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and IPC Vice President](/sites/default/files/images/150409093239565_p%2B30-31.jpg)
New edition of The Paralympian out now!
How the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics sports were chosen is the main feature of the first edition of 2015.
IPC Swimming Media Advisory
Media accreditation for the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships now open
![Liberty Seguros team of Para-Athletics Promises during a reception held at the company’s headquarters in Madrid, Spain.](/sites/default/files/images/150414083521186_Liberty%2Bseguros_1.jpg)
Liberty Seguros presents the new Team Promises Paralympic Athletics
Sixteen athletes will receive support as they prepare for Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
![A picture of a woman underwater](/sites/default/files/images/130124152932236_151240243.jpg)
Australia name 30 athletes for Glasgow 2015
The IPC Swimming World Championships will take place between 13-19 July in Glasgow, Great Britain.
![Chris Williamson of Canada competes in the Men's Giant Slalom Visually Impaired at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.](/sites/default/files/images/150413093401040_chris%2Bwilliamson.jpg)
Canadian alpine skiing duo announce retirements
Chris Williamson and Matt Hallat have brought to an end their competitive skiing careers
![Two young boys and an adult woman pose in front of a swimming pool](/sites/default/files/images/150410153854070_German%2Byoungsters.jpg)
Four German youngsters set their sights on Glasgow 2015
Four young German talents want to qualify for Glasgow 2015 on their road to the Rio 2016 Paralympics
![Amalia Perez Ones to Watch main picture](/sites/default/files/images/130402114151884_Amalia-Perez.jpg)
Strongest Americas lifters at Mexico 2015
Around 120 athletes from 25 countries will compete at the 2015 IPC Powerlifting Americas Open Championships from 26-29 April.
![Women with short black hair poses with a medal](/sites/default/files/images/150409145400282_12%2Bapril%2B2015.jpg)
#SuperheroSunday: Liwan Yang
The double London 2012 Paralympic champion gives an insight into her three heroes
![At the London 2012 Paralympic Games Deborah Font won seven Paralympic medals – one gold, two silvers and four bronze](/sites/default/files/images/140728130354097_LON_3008_1590.jpg)
Spanish swimmer Deborah Font retires
The 29-year-old will now focus on her studies after a glittering career spanning four Paralympic Games.
![Evan O'Hanlon and Scott Reardon](/sites/default/files/images/130410092717346_Aussie%2Bsprinters.jpg)
O’Hanlon and Reardon set for Doha 2015
The two Australian world champions have been automatically selected to compete at October’s IPC Athletics World Championships.
![Konstantin Shikhov of Russia (L) is pressured by Gianluigi Rosa of Italy](/sites/default/files/images/140310080135973_477427625_0.jpg)
Italy’s sledge hockey team are ‘at tactical forefront’
Coach Massimo Da Rin has confidence in his team’s ability to impress at the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool from 26 April.
![Maskim Sedakov](/sites/default/files/images/150402135119340_DSC_8128.jpg)
Maksim Sedakov: My top five dances and moves
From Paso Doble to breakdancing, Russia’s Europeans silver medallist is passionate about wheelchair dancing.
![Panorama shot of the stadium during the Sochi Closing Ceremony](/sites/default/files/images/140702142640690_IMPossiblePanorama_WEB.jpg)
PyeongChang 2018 Ceremonies will use world's best directors
Experts have a vast experience of Ceremonies from a number of spectacular sporting events.
![Anna Schaffelhuber, Germany celebrates her gold medal in the women's super-G](/sites/default/files/images/140617091043634_SOC_MH_140310_122151_6718.jpg)
Schaffelhuber aims to compete in PyeongChang 2018
The five-time Paralympic champion sets her sight on the next Paralympic Winter Games.
![Maksym Nikolenko](/sites/default/files/images/150401094221489_nikolenko_23_03_14.jpg)
World No.1 Nikolenko named March’s Allianz Athlete of the Month
The Ukrainian para-table tennis star was in great form at the first major tournament of the year winning two gold medals.
![Lucas Sithole](/sites/default/files/images/130413052437116_sithole45.jpg)
Sithole aiming to do better at BNP Paribas Open de France
After losing in the semi-finals in both the singles and doubles in 2014, the South African wheelchair tennis ace is hoping for better this time round.
![Dave Malone at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/images/140113174941350_Malone_0.jpg)
Malone appointed Paralympics Ireland Performance Director
The former swimmer takes over from Nancy Chillingworth