PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Ice Sledge Hockey - Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games](/sites/default/files/images/140617105027043_SOC_20140313_LP_0254_WEB_0.jpg)
IPC Ice Sledge Hockey unveils plans for World Series
Huge news for ice sledge hockey fans as they will be able to follow their national teams from the A and B-Pools in a global league from 2014-15.
Favourites Russia and Ukraine through to quarterfinals at football 7-a-side Europeans
Ireland and the Netherlands put on strong performances on their way to the quarterfinals.
![Allianz - Fact of the week - goalball](/sites/default/files/images/140730132201421_Fact-of-the-Week_4_Goalball_0.jpg)
How fast do goalball players throw the ball?
Goalball is a very physical sport. Players throw the ball with speeds up to 60km/h.
![Allianz - Fact of the week - long jump](/sites/default/files/images/140730131535891_Fact-of-the-Week_0_Long-Jump%2B3_0.jpg)
Which leg are long jumpers with a prosthesis allowed to use at take off?
Athletes with leg or foot prosthesis are allowed to choose the leg they take off with.
![Allianz - Fact of the week - Murderball](/sites/default/files/images/140730132048796_Fact-of-the-Week_2_Murderball_0.jpg)
Which sport is also called murderball and why?
Due to its aggressive and full-contact character, wheelchair rugby was originally called murderball.
![Allianz - Fact of the week - Rio](/sites/default/files/images/140730132030791_Fact-of-the-Week_1_Rio2016_0.jpg)
How many different sports will be part of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games programme?
For the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the total number of sports will be 22. Para-canoe and para-triathlon will be added to the medals programme.
![Walid Ktila](/sites/default/files/images/130801135913000_174411150.jpg)
Finland’s Henry Manni targets four golds at Swansea 2014
The T34 world record holder aims to land his first gold medals at August’s IPC Athletics European Championships.
![Anti-Doping London image](/sites/default/files/images/120202164707910_137327773.jpg)
IPC considering taking action against countries over doping
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is considering a range of actions to reduce the number of anti-doping violations in para-sport, particularly in powerlifting.
![Allianz - Fact of the week - symbol](/sites/default/files/images/140730132231804_Fact-of-the-Week_5_Symbol_0.jpg)
What are the elements building the Paralympic symbol?
The Paralympic symbols are three “agitos” (Latin for “I move”) colored red, blue and green, being the colors most widely included in national flags.
![Allianz - Fact of the week - Values](/sites/default/files/images/140730132122883_Fact-of-the-Week_3_Values_0.jpg)
What are the Paralympic values?
The core Paralympic values are at the heart of the Paralympic Movement. The values are determination, equality, inspiration and courage.
![The 2013 IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport World Championships were held in Tokyo, Japan.](/sites/default/files/images/150323092147309_dance.jpg)
Lomianki, Poland, to host 2014 Wheelchair Dance Euros
Around 150 athletes from 20 countries will take part in the first IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships since 2009.
![A man waves the Paralympic flag on stage](/sites/default/files/images/140508101220346_SOC_20140316_LP_1154_WEB_0.jpg)
PyeongChang 2018 launches ‘Actualising the Dream’ project
Project which is a bid commitment will help raise the profile of the Paralympic Movement
![Allianz - Fact of the week - wheelchair racing](/sites/default/files/images/140730132015582_Fact-of-the-Week_0_Wheelchair-Racing_0.jpg)
How much does a professional racing wheelchair weigh?
With their individual, light-weight racing wheelchairs, athletes are able to compete with speeds up to 36km/h. The weight of such a wheelchair is only 8-10kg, the length is around 170-185cm.
![IPC Powerlifting anti-doping education](/sites/default/files/images/130605182332783_946885_663815643645026_452106169_n.jpg)
Two powerlifters suspended for Anti-Doping Rule violations
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that two powerlifters – United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Rashed Hassan Ahmed and Kazakhstan’s Oleg Gridassov - have been suspended and fined for separate Anti-Doping Rule violations committed at the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai, UAE.
![A female German shooter preparing for the next shot.](/sites/default/files/images/140727163614752_14700845156_45453b40a2_o_0.jpg)
IPC Shooting World Championships closed
After an incredible eight days of action, the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships were officially closed.
![Poland Shooting World Cup](/sites/default/files/images/130409124403023_big_dsc_0192_20121023082928.jpg)
Gold for Sweden, Slovenia and Iran in exhibition events on final day of Shooting World Champs
Sweden’s Martin Hall claimed gold, as well as Slovenia’s Veselka Pevec and Iran’s Mahdi Zamanishurabi as the falling target events conclude the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships.
![Three wheelchair athletes pose with their medals in front of a Lyon branded background](/sites/default/files/images/140725103210641_tahit_0.jpg)
Van Weeghel thrilled by Swansea 2014 rivalries
Dutch Paralympic champion is looking forward to facing some of the world’s best wheelchair racers at August’s European Championships.
![Jonas Jacobsson](/sites/default/files/images/120125095633471_82785404_0.jpg)
Preview: What to follow on day eight
Two unofficial events conclude the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships.
![Mac and B.J. Marcoux](/sites/default/files/images/140224221122403_4BF1F28.jpg)
Marcoux brothers looking to be reunited for home Worlds
BJ Marcoux had to make the agonising decision to hand over the reins of being his brother Mac’s guide at Sochi 2014 to Robin Femy, but the pair are working towards being back together at the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships.
Dutch delight as Visker nets seven at European Championships
The Netherlands got off to a flying start beating Denmark 14-0 in their first group game of the 2014 CPISRA Football 7-a-side European Championships.