Para-Triathlon and Para-Canoe Added to 2016 Rio

Paralympic Games

Para-triathlon and para-canoe have been added to the competition schedule for the 2016 Rio de
Janiero Paralympic Games, according to the International Paralympic Committee.
With the addition of the two sports, a total of 22 sports will be contested at the 2016 Paralympic
Games.
The selection process to add sports to the Paralympic Games began in 2009. In total, seven sport
submitted applications for addition to the 2016 Paralympic Games, according to the IPC.
For Marisol Casado, the International Triathlon Union president and International Olympic
Committee member, the addition of triathlon is a great honor true.
"ITU is deeply honoured to join the Paralympic Family and have our inspirational paratriathletes
compete alongside the remarkable Paralympians from around the world," Cadado said in a written
statement. "I am confident Paratriathlon will contribute to the Paralympic Movement and inspire
people and youth worldwide. It has been a long road to reach this milestone but we know the real
work begins now as we dedicate our efforts to delivering spectacular Paratriathlon competitions in
Rio 2016."
How Does the IPC Add Paralympic Sports?
To be considered for addition, international governing bodies must submit an application that
includes a questionnaire and a proposal that includes rules and regulations, world championship

results, demographics in regards to how many athletes compete in the sport, and other information.
The seven governing bodies that submitted applications included para-badminton, intellectual
disability basketball, ara-canoe, para-golf, powerchair football, para-taekwondo and para-triathlon.
Growth of the Paralympic Movement
The addition of two new sports, and the submission of so many others, demonstrates how quickly the
Paralympic movement is growing according to the David Legg, the president of the Canadian
Paralympic Committee.
"By adding para-canoe and para-triathlon, the IPC has made it possible for more athletes with a
disability to compete at a high-performance level and represent their country. It also illustrates that
the Paralympic Games continues to grow in size and popularity," Legg said in a written statement,
"As we work to become the world's leading Paralympic nation, the CPC will be working with these
sports and supporting their development in order to field a winning Canadian Paralympic Team at
the Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games."
The decision to add the two sports was put to a vote in Guangzhou, China, just before the opening of
the 2010 Asian Paralympic Games.
Articles by this author about other Paralympic sports:
Wheelchair Fencing: And Adaptive Sport A Paralympic Sport, A Paralympic Sport Introduction to
Paralympic Rowing: One of the New Adaptive Sports Introduction to and History of Paralympic
PowerliftingSources:" IPC Governing Board Vote to Increase Rio 2016 Sports Programme to 22
Sports." International Paralympic Committee, Dec. 11, 2010."Paratriathlon added to the Rio 2016
Paralympic Games." International Triathlon Union, Dec. 11, 2010." The Canadian Paralympic
Committee welcomes para-canoe and para-triathlon onto the Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games
programme." Canadian Paralympic Committee, Dec. 14, 2010.