The Olympics is followed by the Paralympic games every four years but the sad part is we often forget to watch the games for the gifted athletes with that much interest as we do for the Olympics. Nevertheless, making a fresh start and slowly catching up with the sporting event is not that difficult as we presume it to be.
Here comes a major positive ahead of the Rio Paralympics: The games will be broadcast in a record 154 countries this time around, as compared to the London 2012 Paralympics, which was broadcast in around 115 countries. The message is clear: the organisers are keeping no stones unturned to make the oft-forgotten event reach everyone around the world.
List of Indian athletes | All you need to know about Paralympics 2016
"We are excited to be able to build on the success of 2012, where we reached a cumulative 3.8 billion viewers, with a number of new broadcasters coming on board. Existing partners have also recognised the demand and potential of para sport by boosting their coverage, utilising new technologies and spreading it across platforms," mentioned Alexis Schaefer, the IPC's (International Paralympic Committee) Marketing and Commercial Director, in a statement.
"We are in a fantastic position across the world, including growth in the Americas which will make a huge contribution to the legacy of Rio 2016. I am delighted that we are enjoying great relationships with our largest ever group of broadcasters, who are essential and committed to building the profile and reach of the Paralympic Movement around the world," he added.
A total of 23 sports disciplines will be at display this time and approximately 4,300 impaired athletes will be plying their trade and gunning for glory. India, whose tally includes a total of eight medals (two golds, three silvers and three bronzes) over 12 Paralympic games, will have high hopes from Rio 2016 as it sends as many as 19 athletes for the event.
We have put out the schedule of events and where to watch on TV, so that it gets a little difficult for you to miss the Paralympics 2016:
Opening Ceremony: Sept. 7 @ the Maracana Stadium.
| Sports Disciplines | Dates | Venue |
| Archery | Sept. 10-17 | Sambódromo |
| Athletics | Sept. 8-18 | Fort Copacabana, Olympic Stadium |
| Boccia | Sept. 10-16 | Carioca Arena 2 |
| Paracanoe | Sept.14, Sept. 15 | Lagoa Stadium |
| Cycling (Road) | Sept. 14-17 | Pontal |
| Cycling (Track) | Sept. 8-11 | Rio Olympic Velodrome |
| Equestrian | Sept. 11-16 | Olympic Equestrian Centre |
| Football (five-a-side) | Sept. 9-17 | Olympic Tennis Centre |
| Football (seven-a-side) | Sept. 8-16 | Deodoro Stadium |
| Goalball | Sept. 8-16 | Future Arena |
| Judo | Sept. 8-10 | Carioca Arena 3 |
| Powerlifting | Sept. 8-14 | Riocentro - Pavilion 2 |
| Rowing | Sept. 9-11 | Lagoa Stadium |
| Sailing | Sept. 12-17 | Marina da Gloria |
| Shooting | Sept. 8-14 | Olympic Shooting Centre |
| Sitting volleyball | Sept. 9-18 | Riocentro - Pavilion 6 |
| Swimming | Sept. 8-17 | Olympic Aquatics Stadium |
| Table tennis | Sept. 8-17 | Riocentro - Pavilion 6 |
| Para-triathlon | Sept. 10, Sept. 11 | Fort Copacabana |
| Wheelchair basketball | Sept. 8-17 | Carioca Arena 1 |
| Wheelchair fencing | Sept. 12-16 | Carioca Arena 3 |
| Wheelchair rugby | Sept. 14-18 | Carioca Arena 1 |
| Wheelchair tennis | Sept. 9-16 | Olympic Tennis Centre |
Closing Ceremony: Sept. 18 @ the Maracana Stadium.
TV listings - American Movil (Latin America), Globo Sport TV (Brazil), NBC, NBCSN (USA), CBC (Canada), NHK (Japan), France 2, France 4 (France), Channel 4 (UK), SuperSport (Sub-Saharan African countries).
