In numbers: Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

The Paralympic symbol, Agitos, on Copacabana Beach. Credit: Reuters

With the Paralympic Games set to begin in Brazil, here are some facts and stats about Rio 2016.

  • It is the 15th modern Summer Paralympics and it will be the time that Latin America has staged the Paralympics.

  • Around 4,350 athletes from more than 160 countries will take part, more than at any previous Games.

More athletes are set to compete in Rio than at London 2012. Credit: PA

  • The newcomers to the Paralympic Games are: Aruba, Congo, Malawi, Somalia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Togo.

  • A small team of eight independent Paralympics athletes with refugee or asylum status will also be competing for the first time.

Many athletes will be hoping to replicate the gold medal success at the London 2012 games Credit: PA
Emma Wiggs will be competing for Great Britain the new para-canoe event. Credit: PA

  • The Paralympics GB team will compete in 19 of the 22 sports, including athletics, rowing, wheelchair basketball, swimming and table tennis.

The Paralympics GB team at the Welcome Ceremony in Rio. Credit: Reuters

  • ParalympicsGB has finished in the top three on the medal table at the last four Games.

Ticket sales have picked up after recent fears about the impact of budget cuts. Credit: Reuters