However, despite news that the budget for the Rio 2016 Paralympic games is not at the needed level, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is determined that the games will go ahead as planned.
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The IPC confirmed organisers have slashed the original planned budget for the Games, which start on September 7.
It’s resulted in things like downsizing of the workforce, closing of venues and even cuts in transportation.
IPC president Philip Craven admits the current issues surrounding the Games are the most hard in its history, but vowed to find solutions. “Since becoming aware of the full scale of the problem, we have focused all of our efforts on finding solutions to the problems”.
“At the IPC we are a relatively small but united organisation”.
“None of the problems we’ve had in the Olympics were serious enough to produce a negative impact on the Paralympics”, Andrada said.
Additional funds have been secured following work with Rio’s mayor Eduardo Paes and thanks to a number of state-run companies signing contracts to sponsor the Games.
“We want full participation here”. We want all eligible countries to send their athletes to the Games.
On the flip side, the athletes who can find a way to actually get to this year’s Paralympics will be comforted to know that the security now in place for Olympics will remain unaffected.
Baroness Grey-Thompson, who has won 11 Paralympic golds, said Paralympians had hoped the Rio Games would be “another step up” from the “amazing” London Games.
“I believe the performances of the Para athletes will act a a catalyst for social change”.
A statement by the Canadian Paralympic Committee says it was glad the events would be proceeding, even with some changes.
Rio, Brazil, Olympics and financial trouble are not new terms.
Just 12 per cent of the tickets on offer have been sold so far, with Brazilians seemingly not interested in virtually any aspect of the event.
“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 wheelchair fencing competition will move to a new venue, allowing Deorodo Olympic Park to be closed and dismantled.
Last night the British Paralympic Association said: ‘London 2012 proudly showed the world what was possible and we want Rio to be the next stage of that positive journey.
Craven added the cuts were “likely to impact almost every stakeholder at the Games” admitting that, at present, there at 10 countries who, even if funding comes through, “may struggle to cover the cost of theta travels to the Games”.
“You only have to look at some of the achievements from Para athletes over the last two years to realize that we will witness some truly spectacular sport”, he added.
Amid Brazil’s crisis, Temer, who assumed power in May, visited the Olympic Park on Thursday and met with organizers of the Games.
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It is a damper on an wonderful 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.
