Nepal made its first appearance in the Paralympic Games at the 2004 Summer Paralympics. They have entered every Summer Paralympic Games since, making Rio de Janeiro its fourth appearance at a Summer Paralympiad. At the close of the Rio Games, Nepal had yet to win its first Paralympic medal. 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. Nepal sent two athletes to Rio de Janeiro: sprinter Bikram Rana and short-distance swimmer Laxmi Kunwar. They were accompanied by chef de mission and president of the National Para-Athletics Association Om Nath Shiwakoti. Kedar Babu Shiwakoti, acting president of the National Para Sports Association, and the President of National Para-Swimming Association Saroj Shrestha were the other two officials in the delegation. Rana was chosen to be the flag bearer for the parade of nations during the opening ceremony.