“At this point, it is hard for us to expect the full venues that we saw in Beijing or London, or expect to see in Tokyo in four years’ time”, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Philip Craven said on Friday.
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The Paralympic Games are facing the biggest budget cuts seen in its 56 year history.
The British Paralympic Association said the cuts to the Rio 2016 budget were “worrying” but supported the efforts being made to resolve the difficulties.
Reports earlier this week revealed that the September 7-18 event was suffering from major cash shortfalls due to woeful ticket sales and lack of sponsors.
Rio, Brazil, Olympics and financial trouble are not new terms. However sales for the Paralympics have been even worse.
Craven also warned the crowds that flocked to stadiums in Beijing in 2008 or London four years later won’t rock up to Rio, with only 12 per cent of tickets sold.
It is a damper on an unbelievable unparalleled sports event that soared in London 2012 and the IPC has been working hard to maintain the momentum of growth and interest in the Paralympics.
Rio de Janeiro city government has promised 150 million reais ($46 million) to boost the Games budget, while Craven said the federal government had offered another 100 million reais in sponsorship from state companies.
Organisers were meant to pay travel grants to all 165 participating countries by the end of July. “The IPC is working with them to find solutions and ensure their participation”.
So to all the athletes who do make it to Rio, good luck!
Organizers also revealed this week that they were trying to secure last-minute financing to ensure the Games could go ahead as planned.
But the workforce for the Paralympics will still be reduced, transport services cut and media centers closed.
Wheelchair fencing has now been switched to the Barra Olympic Park while equestrian, seven-a-side football and shooting will work as standalone venues.
He said the extra cuts “are likely to impact every stakeholder attending the Paralympic Games”. They have dedicated their lives to reaching these Games and we will do our utmost to try and maintain the service levels and scope that they expect.
‘We want all eligible countries to send their athletes to the Games. It’s what the athletes deserve’. When Brazil was awarded the games in 2009, the economy was booming.
Speaking to ITV News, Colbourne, who retired in 2013 after winning a gold and two silvers at London 2012, said: “We’re trying to promote the paralympic movement here, we’re trying to up-skill and upscale what we do as athletes”.
‘The IPC’s announcement makes clear that there is major risk to that.
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In a statement it said: “Our Paralympics GB athletes have been training hard for at least four years for this moment to compete and deliver their personal best amongst their global competitors”.
