Gold could come from a wide range of sports, including para-triathlon and para-canoe, which will be contested for the first time.
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While many commentators and spectators are quick to heap pressure or expectations on athletes at the Olympics, Elgin said many people felt unnecessarily shy about doing the same for competitors at the Paralympics.
Flag bearer Brad Ness and his world champion men’s wheelchair basketball team are out to exact revenge for a near miss at gold in London. The decorated swimmer has a greater appreciation for everything that goes on at an event with the magnitude of the Paralympics.
With the Paralympic budget way below what was originally promised, the International Paralympic Committee announced the Games would go ahead but with major cuts. Now it’s time for the Summer Paralympics 2016 which will also be held in Rio and will begin today with the opening ceremony scheduled for 2AM IST.
Serial gold medal-winning equestrian rider Lee Pearson has revealed his pride at being nominated as Great Britain’s flagbearer for Wednesday’s opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
The photo he tweeted did indeed show a respectable queue for tickets to the Paralympics which start on 7 September.
“I feel so privileged and humbled to be named as the flagbearer for the New Zealand Paralympic team”, said the 21-year-old, who is now ranked number one in the world in the women’s javelin F46.
In comparison, their Olympic compatriots only came 13th in the Rio Olympics. “When you actually see it, you see how intense these athletes are”. The Games are being broadcast on Channel Seven for the first time, on the 7TWO channel and through the 7Live app.
Russian para-athletes, who finished second behind China in the London 2012 medals table, were last month barred from 12-day Games by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) following a World Anti-Doping Agency report which alleged a vast state-sponsored doping program. There are more than 500 medal events across the 23 sports.
Paralympics boss Sir Philip Craven has defended the system that classifies disabled athletes after claims it is being manipulated to boost medals. I’m still getting congratulated on the streets of London and that was four years ago. China led the way with 231 medals, ahead of Russian Federation and the host nation.
Despite Fearnley’s relaxed attitude, he and the athletics team will play a big part in Australia’s bold bid for 40 gold medals.
Wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley will be one to watch. Sprinter Evan O’Hanlon (100m, 400m T38 classification) is another to keep an eye on.
“I really hope the goodwill we saw at the Olympics continues”, said the 21-year-old.
“I think it’s OK to ask any question on the planet, and if you offend somebody in asking that, then apologise, but get the answer”. Ellie Cole is expected to be a force in the pool once again.
At 14, Turner is the youngest member of the Irish team, but you shouldn’t underestimate her ability because of her age. Shooter Libby Kosmala, of South Australia, is a Paralympics veteran at 74.
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There he was discovered by Greek sporting officials who gave him a chance to train and eventually compete as a disabled athlete.
