Paralympics

Tupou Neiufi wins gold in Tokyo

The 20-year-old Auckland student from the Pukekohe swimming club was joined on the podium by Ukraine's Kateryna Denysenko in second and America's Jessica Long took the bronze medal.

Neiufi won silver in the event at Rio Paralympics in 2016 and also silver at the world champs in London two years ago.

Neiufi displayed plenty of emotion in her win.

"As soon as I touched the wall, I'm not going to lie - I was a bit confused," she said.

Paralympics get underway with powerful opening ceremony

The words of Tokyo 2020 organisers, as the Paralympic Games finally opened, 364 days later than planned and after a year of the utmost difficulties.

The Games began with an opening ceremony full of colour and celebration interjected with a touch of poignancy, a concept of 'We Have Wings' which organisers said was intended to raise awareness of the courage of Paralympians.

"I cannot believe we are finally here," said Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, in his opening speech.

Australian sports programme boosts Pacific athletes preparation for Olympic and Paralympics

This unites over 170 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from 11 Pacific nations to prepare for Tokyo 2020. Pita Taufatofua was invited to represent Tonga at the event.

With support from the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports programme, Pacific teams and athletes will be able to train and compete in qualification events, giving them the greatest opportunity to realise their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

Rio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had opened suspension proceedings following the McLaren report, and has now confirmed the ban.

The report, published last month, claimed Russia had operated a state-sponsored doping programme.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose not to give Russia a blanket ban from the Olympic Games.

"The anti-doping system in Russia is broken, corrupted and entirely compromised," said IPC president Sir Philip Craven at a news conference on Sunday.