Andrada declined to answer questions about Paralympic funding for several days, after event organizers – who in the lead-up to the Games emphasized their reliance on private financing – had requested hundreds of millions in Brazilian government money. “The IPC is working with them to find solutions and ensure their participation here in Rio”.
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Countries have yet to receive travel grants from Brazilian organisers and Craven said the payments needed to be done as soon as possible.
Now it has been confirmed that the Deodoro venue – which has hosted the rugby sevens, equestrian and part of the modern pentathlon during this month’s Rio 2016 Olympics – will be dismantled and Paralympic events due to be held there moved.
But Craven said the extra revenues “will not plug the Rio 2016 deficit”.
Despite the fact that Rio says the budget is net there, the governing body of Paralympic Sports is confident that the games will go on as planned and be a success.
“However, we hope the passion of the Brazilian people and their desire to support and see Brazilian athletes win medals will see them turn out en-masse”.
“We know the money is there now – whether it is in Rio 2016’s bank account today or Monday, I don’t know – but it has to be paid pronto. The organisers must get cracking – it’s already an amazingly late date”.
The bailout could also increase frustration with the Games, with public services under severe pressure.
He said organisers were hoping to sell two million tickets by the time the Games start.
“Our commitment to the IPC is a sold out Games and that is a commitment we are pursuing”, said the spokesman.
“Paralympians overcome barriers every day and delight us when they reach the podium, so let’s rise to the occasion and meet the challenge”.
Craven also said he had met with Brazil’s interim president Michel Temer and the country’s minister for justice and defense minister, who promised that security forces in place for the Olympics will remain for the Paralympics.
“At this point it is hard for us to expect the full venues we saw in Beijing or London, or expect to see in Tokyo in four years’ time”. “The IPC’s announcement makes clear that there is major risk to that”.
“To go to Rio and not have a 100% of the ticket sales sold out, not have the staff that we had in London, like the Games makers, who nearly made the paralympics for us, would be very, very disappointing”.
Russia were always likely to contest the decision of the IPC, which has been criticised in the country and by various organisations and International Federations, including the Association of National Olympic Committees and World Archery among others.
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“There has been much progress made in disability sport in recent years and it is crucial that Rio and Brazil keep up that momentum”.
