Cape Verde's first appearance in the Paralympic movement was at the 2004 Athens Summer Paralympics. The country has participated in every Summer Paralympic Games since, making Rio de Janeiro the fourth time they have taken part in a Summer Paralympiad. Entering the Rio Summer Games, Cape Verde had not won its first medal at the Paralympics. The 2016 Summer Paralympics were held from 7–18 September 2016 with a total of 4,328 athletes representing 159 National Paralympic Committees taking part. Cape Verde sent two athletes to Rio de Janeiro: sprinter Gracelino Barbosa and javelin thrower Márcio Fernandes. The two athletes were joined by chef de mission and president of the Comité Caboverdeano Desp. Para Deficientes Rodrigo Bejarano, coaches Carlos Fernandes and Serafim Gadelho and an unnamed physiotherapist. The delegation left Cape Verde for Rio de Janeiro on 28 August. Fernandes was selected as the flag bearer for the parade of nations during the opening ceremony.