Eight sports have been confirmed for the fifth edition of the European Para Youth Games, set to take place in Pajulahti, Finland, between 25 and 30 June 2019. Athletics, boccia, goalball, judo, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair basketball make up the programme. Showdown, which is sport for vision impaired athletes similar to table tennis, will also be contested as a demonstration sport.

The Games are organised by the European Paralympic Committee and will be hosted on this occasion by the Finnish Paralympic Committee at the Pajulahti Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre.

Around 600 athletes aged 13-23 are expected to compete.

The event’s goal is to create a high-level competition stressing the values of equitability, inclusivity and fairness in Para sports. It also looks to encourage young athletes to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Entry will be free.

Liguria, Italy, staged the last edition of the European Para Youth Games in 2017, with more than 600 athletes from 26 countries competing across eight sports: athletics, boccia, football 7-a-side, goalball, judo, sailing, swimming and table tennis.

Germany finished top of the medals table with 37 golds, 27 silvers and 12 bronze. The hosts dominated the athletics events to finish the Games second with 29 golds, 30 silvers and 15 bronze, followed by Finland (nine golds, eight silvers).

The first and second edition of the European Para Youth Games took place in Brno, Czech Republic, in 2011 and 2012. Varazdin, Croatia hosted the 2015 Games with 223 athletes from 22 countries competing in four sports. Spain topped the medals table with 61 overall.