As the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth celebrate Commonwealth Day today, Gold Coast, Australia has announced the para-sports programme for the next Games to be held there in 2018.

Following on from the innovation of Glasgow 2014, which staged the biggest and most successful para-sports programme in Commonwealth Games history, the programme is set to grow even further when the Games takes place in Gold Coast in just over two years’ time.

In Gold Coast 2018, up to 300 para-athletes are expected to compete in 38 medal events across seven sports (four core sports and three optional sports selected by the host city) , representing an increase of 45% more athletes and 73% more medals. Sports include: Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics, Cycling (Track), Lawn Bowls and Powerlifting, all previously held in Glasgow, although some of the events and athlete classifications have been changed. Specific events are decided by the host city in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games Federation and the International Paralympic Committee.

In addition, the sports of Triathlon and Table Tennis have been added, with Triathlon making its debut, building on the enormous success and profile of the Triathlon competition at Glasgow 2014 and internationally.

There will be an equal number of men’s and women’s events across all seven para-sports, further demonstrating the Commonwealth sports movement’s commitment to equality and inclusion.

Since the last Games, both the Swimming and Athletics para-sport programme has doubled (from 6 to 12 medal eventseach), including the first ever wheelchair Marathon (T54) at a Commonw ealth Games, which will take the inspirational thrill of para-sport competition to the streets and communities of the Gold Coast.

Welcoming the news Jon Doig OBE, Commonwealth Games Chief Executive said: “Glasgow 2014 moved the Para-Sport programme on to a new level and it is great to see Gold Coast’s commitment to inclusion go even further, with the introduction of two news sports and even more medal opportunities.

“Team Scotland had great success in para-sports in Glasgow winning seven medals (3 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze) in four out of the five sports on the programme. They provided some of Scotland’s most memorable moments with double gold for Neil Fachie and Craig MacLean in cycling, gold for sprinter Libby Clegg and guide Mikhail Huggins on the Hampden track and our youngest team member Erraid Davies from Shetland became darling of the pool, winning bronze in the 100m Breaststroke at just 13 years of age.

“We have already started working with the relevant sports governing bodies and Scottish Disability Sport to identify the talent pool for Gold Coast, particularly in the two new sports of Triathlon and Table Tennis and we are confident that we have the potential to be well represented once again.

“It is fantastic that a number of para-sport athletes who competed in Glasgow will get another opportunity to be selected for Team Scotland, but it is particularly unfortunate that Libby Clegg’s event is no longer on the programme.”

Please see below for the full event and classification list.

Athletics – Women

1 T53/T54 Marathon

2 T53/T54 1500m

3 T37/T38 Long Jump

4 T37/T38 100m

5 T35 100m

6 F45/F46 Javelin

Athletics – Men

7 T53/T54 Marathon

8 T53/T54 1500m

9 T11/T12 100m

10 T37/T38 100m

11 T45/T46/T47 100m

12 F37/F38 Shot Put

Swimming – Women

13 S7/S8 50m Freestyle

14 S8/S9 100m Freestyle

15 SB8/SB9 100m Breaststroke

16 SM9/SM10 200m Individual Medley

17 S6/S7 50m Butterfly

18 S8/S9 100m Backstroke

Swimming – Men

19 S8/S9 100m Freestyle

20 S8/S9 100m Backstroke

21 S6/S7 50m Freestyle

22 SB7/SB8 100m Breaststroke

23 SM7/SM8 200m Individual Medley

24 S14 200m Freestyle

Powerlifting – Women

25 Lightweight

26 Heavyweight

Powerlifting – Men

27 Lightweight

28 Heavyweight

Triathlon

29. Women PT1

30. Men PT1

Table Tennis

31. Women TT8–TT10

32. Men TT8–TT10

Cycling (Track)

33. Women B & VI Sprint

34. Women B & VI 1000m Time Trial

35. Men B & VI Sprint

36. Men B & VI 1000m Time Trial

Lawn Bowls

37. B2/B3 Mixed Pairs

38. B6/B7/B8 Open Triples