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
- Introduction to Paralympic Rowing: One of the New Adaptive Sports
- Introduction to and History of Paralympic Powerlifting
Sources:
- “ 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.
Kristen Nichols - Kristen is a freelance reporter and copywriter covering Olympic and Paralympic sport for Suite101.com. Kristen's love of sport developed ...
