Paralympic Games to feature in global Snapchat Live Story

“This partnership gives us a fantastic opportunity to reach new audiences with content that was previously not available for fans. We will allow them to be part of history and gain an insight into the lives of Paralympic athletes.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will partner with Snapchat for the world’s first global Paralympic Live Story on 15 September.

Fans, athletes, and behind-the-scenes reporters will be able to contribute their unique experiences of the action from the Paralympic Games.

Live Stories allow Snapchatters in and around Paralympic venues the option to contribute their Snaps to one collective Story, capturing hundreds of perspectives from the people at the event.

A team at Snapchat curates the thousands of submitted Snaps and packages them into a brief video that can be broadcast globally to millions on their mobile phone.

IPC Director of Communications Craig Spence said: “This partnership gives us a fantastic opportunity to reach new audiences with content that was previously not available for fans. We will allow them to be part of history and gain an insight into the lives of Paralympic athletes.”

Snapchat’s Director of Partnerships Ben Schwerin said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with the International Paralympic Committee to bring hundreds of unique perspectives from the Paralympic Games right to your phone. Snapchat’s Live Stories will capture what it feels like to experience the Games - from the triumphant wins of athletes to the atmosphere in the crowd.”

The IPC will give exclusive access to sporting events on 15 September, which include marquee events in athletics, canoe, road cycling and equestrian.

Dutch Paralympic champion Marlou van Rhijn will go head-to-head with London 2012 silver medallist France’s Marie Amelie Le Fur in the women’s 200m T44.

German London 2012 gold medallist Heinrich Popow will face Australia’s Scott Reardon in the race for gold in the men’s 100m T42.

Canoe will make its Paralympic Games debut on the 15 September, offering fans the chance to be part of a moment in history.

Former Formula One supremo Alex Zanardi will represent Italy once again in the men’s road race H5, hoping to follow on from his title from four years ago.

Over in equestrian, returning British Paralympic champion Natasha Baker heads out in the individual championships Grade II.

Rio 2016 runs from 7-18 September and will feature 4,350 athletes from more than 160 countries competing in 22 sports.