Rio Paralympics faces crisis amid 'major budget cuts'

The Paralympic Games will go ahead next month but faces major budget cuts, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced.

With just 19 days to go until the opening ceremony, delayed grants threaten the participation of around 10 countries, the IPC admitted.

Cuts will be made to transport, the workforce and venues, with some events forced to move.

“Never before in the 56-year history of the Paralympic Games have we faced circumstances like this,” said IPC President Sir Philip Craven.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson told ITV News the cuts make Paralympians feel like "second-class citizens".

The IPC said not enough money had been raised to fund the Games, saying the Rio 2016 Organising Committee's budget is "not at the level they originally committed to".

Poor ticket sales have compounded existing financial challenges in recession-battered Brazil.

But despite the cuts, the IPC insisted the Games will "act as a catalyst to positive social change in Brazil and Latin America".

The cost savings announced on Friday include:

  • Moving the wheelchair fencing competition from the Youth Arena in the Deodoro Park to Carioca Arena 3 in the Barra Olympic Park;

  • The closure and dismantling of the Deorodo Olympic Park, meaning that equestrian, football 7-a-side and shooting will now work as three standalone venues with dedicated transport hubs;

  • The closure of a number of venue media centres and a review of back-of-house spaces at all venues.

Solutions have included working with Rio’s Mayor Paes to secure an additional BRL 150 million (£35.5m) of funding and meeting with the Federal Government to bring in up to BRL 100 million (£23.7m) of sponsorship for the Games from state run companies.

Sir Philip said: “Mayor Paes has always been a huge advocate of the Paralympics and the seismic impact they can have in terms of driving social inclusion. He saw what the London 2012 Paralympics did for the British capital, and now he wants that same transformation to take place here in Rio."

Earlier this week, organisers admitted that only 12% of Paralympics tickets have been sold.

But Sir Philip said he is confident a new promotional campaign to "engage" the Brazilian public and lead to "strong crowds for all sports".

“At this point it is difficult for us to expect the full venues that we saw in Beijing or London, or expect to see in Tokyo in four years’ time," he said.

"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. People power could really determine the outcome of these Games", he added.