Para-Badminton Is To Make Its Paralympic Games Debut At Tokyo 2020

At a meeting in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday (7 October), para badminton was among sixteen sports approved for inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games sports programme.

The sixteen sports approved so far are athletics, archery, badminton, boccia, equestrian, goalball, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

Up to eight further sports may be added to the programme next January. "Our aim is to ensure that the final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme is fresh and features the best para-sports possible," said Sir Philip Craven, IPC President.

"I would like to congratulate the sixteen sports that we have already confirmed, in particular badminton which, after missing out four years ago, submitted a very strong application. The IPC looks forward to working with the Badminton World Federation over the coming years." At London 2012, a record 4,237 athletes from 164 countries took part in 20 sports.

Kicking off there Rio 2016 preparation, Team Ireland will compete in the 2014 European mixed team championship qualifiers. Taking on Norway, Slovakia and Bulgaria. Ireland hope to qualify for the first time