PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Ottobock in London](/sites/default/files/images/120823003137652_Ottobock%2B-%2BParalympic%2BWorkshop_HR2_0.jpg)
Ottobock Team Spurs Into Action in London
IPC Worldwide Paralympic Partner Ottobock will operate 13 workshops for the Paralympic Games to provide technical service to the more than 4,200 athletes competing.
![Greg Smith](/sites/default/files/images/120821162857181_2012-Flag-Bearer_Greg_Smith_01_0.jpg)
Greg Smith Named Australian Flag Bearer
Four-time Paralympian and Wheelchair Rugby Player Greg Smith was chosen to carry Australia's flag at the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.
![London 2012 Paralympic Torch](/sites/default/files/images/120229105134651_London_2012_Para_Torch_Edit_Credit%2BGetty.jpg)
Four Paralympic Flames Lit
Paralympic Flames were lit on the highest peaks of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and will soon come together to form the Paralympic Torch.
![Olympic Stadium](/sites/default/files/images/120822114610688_Stadium_1.jpg)
Transformation From Olympics to Paralympics Nearly Complete
LOCOG is transitioning the look of London and the Olympic Park to reflect the Paralympic Games, now just a week away.
![A picture of man fixing up a wheelchair](/sites/default/files/images/120504131918325_Ottobock%2BTechnical%2BService%2BTeam%2Bin%2BAction_0.jpg)
Ottobock Crew Sets Up in London
There will be a team of 80 prosthetists, orthotists and wheelchair technicians from the IPC's worldwide partner helping 4,200 athletes at the Paralympic Games.
![Haiti athletes](/sites/default/files/images/120821230831335_2012-08-15%2B001%2B010_0.jpg)
Haitian Athletes Arrive in UK for Training
The two athletes representing Haiti at London 2012 hope to help their country’s Paralympic programme grow for future Games.
![Jon Snow](/sites/default/files/images/120820133427906_145214787_0.jpg)
Jon Snow to Host Inaugural Paralympic Ball
Journalist and TV presenter Jon Snow will host the Paralympic Ball on 5 September, which will help raise funds for the IPC's Agitos Foundation.
![London 2012 begins 'bedding in' at Olympic Village 6 months ahead of the Games](/sites/default/files/images/120127102204638_IMG_1545.jpg)
Eva Loeffler Appointed Mayor of Paralympic Village
The daughter of Ludwig Guttmann, the founder of the Paralympic Games, has been named the Mayor of the London 2012 Paralympic Village.
![Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe](/sites/default/files/images/120214132607576_Raphael%2BBotsyo%2BNkegbe.jpg)
Ghanaian team hope to reap rewards of longer prep times
For the first time ever the Ghanaian team has qualified athletes to participate in the Paralympic Games and they have high hopes for a top performance.
![German Sitting Volleyball team](/sites/default/files/images/120807120239885_GermanSittingVolleyballTeamCREDITMikaVolkmann_0.jpg)
Discipline to Give German Sitting Volleyballers Winning Edge
The German team hope their discipline and passion will get them to the podium at the London 2012 Sitting Volleyball competition.
![Beijing 2008](/sites/default/files/images/120123104154298_82785875_10.jpg)
USA Sitting Volleyball Aims to be World's Best
With Katie Holloway and Kendra Lancaster leading the team, the Americans hope to best China for gold at London 2012.
![A picture of a stadium](/sites/default/files/images/120504133339353_143671813.jpg)
Athletes With Intellectual Impairment Return to Paralympics
At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, athletes with an intellectual impairment will take part for the first time in 12 years.
![Agitos in Cardiff](/sites/default/files/images/120817135727398_Cardiff.jpg)
Giant Agitos Launched at Cardiff City Hall
With less than two weeks until the Paralympics, the first of five sets of giant Agitos launched in the UK.
Kurt Fearnley: Olympics Boost Paralympic Expectations
Australian wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley is training in Switzerland and more excited than ever for London 2012.
![Cindy Ouellet](/sites/default/files/images/120615185746676_couellet4_wb_gold_guadalajara_mm_0.jpg)
Canada Announces 145 Athletes for London 2012
The Canadian Paralympic Committee revealed their delegation for the London 2012 Paralympic Games this week.
![London's Olympic Park](/sites/default/files/images/120730144549432_120416_LOCOG_AC_043%2BCREDIT%2BLOCOG%2BGETTY.jpg)
More Paralympic Tickets Now On Sale
A record 2.2 million tickets have been sold for the London 2012 Paralympic Games to date, with 2.5 million expected to be made available in total.
![Mihovil Spanja competing](/sites/default/files/images/120117173046164_Spanja_Credit%2BNPC%2BCroatia_0.jpg)
IPC Announce London 2012 Livestream Commentators
The IPC revealed nine names with more than 100 years of sport commentary experience between them that will talk viewers through more than 780 hours of its live sport coverage.