With impressive world championships wins from the women's goalball team, historic victories from men's 7-a-side soccer and sitting volleyball, Team USA is well on the way to Rio with seven teams already secure in their spots. Take a closer look at the seven teams who have already qualified for the Rio 2016 ParalympicGames.
Women’s Sitting Volleyball| QUALIFIED
The women’s sitting volleyball team qualified for Rio by winning silver at the 2014 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships. The team carries momentum into Rio after winning gold at the Parapan American Games in undefeated fashion.
Men’s Sitting Volleyball | QUALIFIED
The men’s sitting volleyball team won a silver medal at the Parapan American Games to earn their first Paralympic Games berth after failing to qualify in 2008 or 2012; the team was last seen at the Athens Paralympic Games in 2004.
Women’s Goalball | QUALIFIED
The women’s goalball team punched their ticket to Rio by winning gold at the 2014 world championships. After placing eighth at the 2012 Paralympic Games, the women’s team is poised for a strong comeback with the world title and Parapan American Games silver propelling them towards Rio.
Men’s Goalball | QUALIFIED
After sitting out of the 2012 Games, the men’s goalball team qualified for Rio by beating Lithuania 4-2 for the bronze medal at the 2014 world championships.
Women’s Wheelchair Basketball | QUALIFIED
An outstanding run at the Parapan Am Games not only lead Team USA to the gold medal, but also qualified them for Rio. After winning their first four games in dominant fashion, the Americans went on to defeat the reigning world champions from Canada 80-72 in the gold-medal game.
Men’s Wheelchair Basketball | QUALIFIED
With a win against Argentina at the Parapan Am Games, the men’s basketball team qualified for a spot in Rio with a 59-36 finish in the semifinal game. The team went on to take gold in the final round, defeating Canada 62-39.
Men’s 7-A-Side Soccer | QUALIFIED
For the first time in its history, the U.S. Paralympic 7-a-side soccer team defeated Argentina to seal their qualification to the Rio Games. The two nations faced off at at the 2015 Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships, with Team USA winning 4-1 to finish seventh.
Wheelchair Rugby | STILL TO QUALIFY
The wheelchair rugby team could still qualify for Rio at an international qualification event in 2016 or by their world ranking position. If the wheelchair ruby team qualifies, it will be the first time since 2004 that all U.S. team sports will compete at the Paralympic Games.