PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Swansea 2014 Volunteer Programme](/sites/default/files/images/140130162804419_swansea.jpg)
IPC Athletics Euros name first 'Swansea Champions'
With 102 days to go, the volunteering programme for the 2014 IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea is picking up pace.
![A group of people pose for a photo in front of the IPC headquarters building.](/sites/default/files/images/140507115029415_Copy%2Bof%2BPicture%2B015_0.jpg)
IPC hosts Paralympic legacy forum in Bonn
Leaders, researchers and professors discussed the long-term legacies of the Paralympic Games together this week in Germany.
Para-Cycling Road World Cup to begin in Italy
Nineteen World Cup winners and 21 world champions will take part in the first stage of the 2014 season’s World Cup.
Lithuania finish first at Parantee Championships
Six men’s goalball teams had a chance to meet in Europe ahead of this summer’s World Championships.
Nikelis-Davies rivalry to highlight Slovenian Open
Forty top para-table tennis players will compete this week in Lasko, Slovenia.
![Marco Dispaltro](/sites/default/files/images/120227110029053_Marco%2BCREDIT%2BMarco%2BDispaltro_0.jpg)
Marco Dispaltro wins in Montreal, moves to world No. 1
Canada, Brazil and Argentina all put on impressive boccia performances at the World Open.
![Aniek van Koot](/sites/default/files/images/140214163341570_160020962_0.jpg)
Aniek van Koot stumps Sabine Ellerbrock in South Africa
Aniek van Koot, David Wagner and Stephane Houdet all triumphed at the Airports Company South Africa SA Open.
![Sophie Pascoe Day 3 London](/sites/default/files/images/120901140832111_Pascoe_0.jpg)
New Zealand name team for Pan-Pacific Championships
Multi-Paralympic medal winners Sophie Pascoe and Mary Fisher headline the squad for the Pan-Pacific Para-Swimming Championships.
Elisabeth Walker-Young named Toronto 2015 Chef de Mission
The three-time Paralympic champion swimmer will be Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.
![Richard Osvath](/sites/default/files/images/130806091208926_151230584.jpg)
What to watch: May 2014
Top events will take place this month in boccia, wheelchair fencing, shooting, cycling and athletics.
![Leo Rupp at London 2012](/sites/default/files/images/131122115058925_London%2B2012.jpg)
Leo Rupp: I’ll be back
The German shooter has recently announced his temporary retirement from the sport which comes as a shock ahead of the World Championships in his home country this July.
![A wheelchair tennis player hits a forehand with his right hand.](/sites/default/files/images/140502084216226_137824500_0.jpg)
France’s Peifer, Famin chosen as Roland Garros wild cards
The 16-player field for the wheelchair tennis Roland Garros is now complete.
![Leo Rupp at London 2012](/sites/default/files/images/131122115058925_London%2B2012.jpg)
Leo Rupp: Ich komme wieder
Der deutsche Schütze hat vor kurzem eine temporäre Auszeit angekündigt. Dies ist überraschend steht doch die Heim-Weltmeisterschaft im Juli an.
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ITTF to transition to new leadership
Adham Sharara will become Chairman and Thomas Weikert will take over as President for the sport governing body of table tennis.
![An athlete shows off his medal to a crowd, holding up a stuffed animal mascot with the other hand.](/sites/default/files/images/140502143632948_13687179303_f7efcef013_b.jpg)
Vote now for April’s IPC Athlete of the Month
Nominees include: Ali Jawad, Tatyana McFadden, Sherif Othman, Sarah Storey and Ingrid Thunem.
![David Weir](/sites/default/files/images/140401155757549_174709776_0.jpg)
The ‘Weir Wolf’ has his hunger back
Following a year out Britain's David Weir is looking forward to renewing his rivalray with Marcel Hug
![The entire Russian ice sledge hockey team poses with their medals on the ice facing the camera.](/sites/default/files/images/140430095659193_478911009_0.jpg)
Russia’s ice sledge hockey squad voted Sochi 2014’s Best Team
The host nation won ice sledge hockey silver in their Paralympic Winter Games debut.
![Bibian Mentel-Spee](/sites/default/files/images/130122172140085_2%2BCREDIT%2BBibian%2BMentel.jpg)
Para-snowboard video wins major award
Video produced by RTV for Allianz recognised at WorldMediaFestival
![Nigel Murray](/sites/default/files/images/120906205108537_Nigel%2BMurray%2BBoccia_0.jpg)
Boccia’s elite head to Montreal for World Open
The top boccia athletes in the world will compete in Canada this week in the first international tournament of 2014.
![A visually impaired women and her guide running on the track of a stadium](/sites/default/files/images/140430171859800_174177137_0.jpg)
Italian teenagers to get to meet para-stars
With one month to go until the Italian leg of the 2014 IPC Athletics Grand Prix, organisers have announced that students will get to meet their national heroes.