Athletes in seven sports will go into battle to earn places at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in January, as qualification for the first edition of the events in South America hots up. By the end of the year, more than 40% of the total of nearly 15,000 berths will have been allocated.

While qualification began in some of the sports last year, the following sports are entering the fray for the first time: athletics (Olympic and Paralympic), road cycling and beach volleyball

Among the highlights this month is the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship in Qatar, the winners of which will confirm their spot in Rio 2016. Football places will also be decided, while a host of sports will begin counting ranking points and qualification marks.

Olympic sports

Athletics: As of 1 January, athletes in the following events have been able to record qualification marks for the Rio 2016 Games: marathon, racewalking, 10000m, heptathlon, decathlon and relays. The qualification period closes on 11 July 2016.

Road cycling: The world rankings, based on points obtained between 1 January and 31 December 2015, will determine who gets the 142 men’s road race places and 30 men’s time trial berths.

Football:  The winner of the South American under-20 championship in Uruguay, from 14 January to 7 February, will guarantee their place at the Rio 2016 Games. The runner-up will compete with the third-placed team in the North and Central Americas qualifier.

Handball: The men’s world championship will bring together 24 teams in Doha from 15 January to 1 February, with the winner booking their place in Brazil.

Equestrian jumping: Eight individual places will be allocated according to world rankings based on scores obtained between 1 January 2015 and 6 March 2016.

Beach volleyball: Olympic ranking points have been up for grabs since 1 January and the count will close on 13 June 2016, when 15 men’s and 15 women’s teams will be confirmed for Copacabana beach.

Paralympic sports

Athletics:  From 1 January to 20 June 2016, relay teams will be able to build up their world ranking points with an eye on Rio – the top eight teams in each event (men’s and women’s) will win spots at Rio 2016.

Qualification for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is an ongoing process and final entries will only be officially confirmed in July 2016 (for the Olympic Games) and August 2016 (for the Paralympic Games). Entries are recommended by national federations or sport organisations to their respective National Olympic Committees or National Paralympic Committees, who decide on final selections.