RIO PARALYMPIC GAMES
When: Wednesday-Sept. 18
Where: Rio de Janeiro
Who: More than 4,350 athletes, the most in Paralympics history, from 176 countries
Sports: 22, with 528 medal events. Canoe and triathlon make their Paralympic debuts in Rio.
TV: More than 70 hours of Paralympics coverage — the most in history — will be broadcast on NBC, NBCSN and the NBC Sports app. Coverage begins with Wednesday's opening ceremony (6 p.m., NBCSN). NBCSN will show blocks of Paralympics programming during most days of the Games from 1-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m. and midnight-4 a.m. For a full schedule, go to www.nbc.com. The U.S. Olympic Committee also will provide live online coverage at www.teamusa.org.
THE MINNESOTANS
The U.S. will send its largest-ever Paralympic delegation — 289, including nine guides for visually impaired competitors — to the Rio Games. The roster includes a dozen athletes with Minnesota ties.
Chuck Aoki, Minneapolis, wheelchair rugby: A two-time Paralympian and longtime member of the U.S. national team, Aoki won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Paralympics and was also part of U.S. teams that won gold and bronze medals at the world championships.
Sean Boyle, Minneapolis, soccer: Boyle, a Minneapolis native who attends San Jose State, is one of two goalkeepers for the U.S. team and will participate in his first Paralympics.