With its para-athletes banned from Rio 2016, Russia is hosting its own sporting event. The "All Russian Open Paralympic Competition" took place Thursday just outside Moscow.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Federal Training Centre in Novogorsk served as host for the event, which comprised of competitions and master classes. The crowd for the event was modest and largely comprised of students from the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Wheelchair racing, the 100-meter sprints and sitting volleyball were the competitive disciplines being contested.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Sitting volleyball is an adaptation of the able-bodied sport, with a much smaller court and a lower net.
Sebastian Shukla
Some indoor events were billed as "master classes" with althetes offering tips and also talking with journalists.