Taking place a year after Brazil stages the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, around 1,000 athletes ranging from 14 to 19-years-old are expected to take part in the Youth Games which will feature 12 different sports and is due to take place between March 20 to 25. 

"The Brazilian Paralympic Committee is delighted to have won the right to stage the 2017 Parapan American Youth Games in Sao Paulo," Andrew Parsons, President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) vice-president, said.

"Following the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games awareness of Paralympic sport will be at an all-time high in the Americas and what can be more motivating for young athletes than to go compete in the nation that has just staged the Paralympics."

The CPB are also set to organise the Americas Paralympic Committee General Assembly, which will precede the Youth Games Opening Ceremony, while a Youth Games Education Programme will be implemented, targeting athletes, coaches and team officials.

Twenty countries are set to take part in the 2017 edition of the event, double the number that were present at the inaugural Youth Games in 2005 Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

With 1,000 athletes anticipated to be heading to São Paulo, it would also mark an increase from the 600 who competed at the 2013 event in Buenos Aires, which saw Brazil topping the medals table with 209 medals, including 102 golds.

Many of the athletes will attempt to graduate from the Parapan American Youth Games, to the Parapan Am Games which will be held in Peru's capital Lima in 2019.

Brazil topped the medals table at the 2013 Youth Parapan American Games in Buenos Aires ©Brazilian Paralympic Committee





"Since the first edition of the Parapan American Youth Games in 2005 in Venezuela, they have grown in size and stature each time and I am confident the 2017 event will be the best ever," said Jose Luis Campo, APC President.

"It is important for their development as athletes that youngsters get the opportunity to experience competition at the highest level and this event does just that.

"We have already seen graduates from previous Games go on to compete at the Paralympic Games and I am sure those who compete in São Paulo will do the same."

The 2015 edition of the Parapan Am Games is due to be held in Toronto, with 1,608 athletes set to feature in 15 sports from August 7 to 15.