International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven has said that with six months to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympics, the city is almost ready to stage an “unmissable Games“ that will transform South America forever.
Monday 7 March marks six months to go mark until the Opening Ceremony of Latin America’s first Paralympics in Rio’s iconic Maracana Stadium. To mark the occasion the IPC President has stressed the importance of the Rio 2016 Paralympics building on the success of previous Games in order to continue the Paralympic Movement’s growth.
“It has been just over seven years since Rio was historically elected to host Latin America’s first Paralympic Games in Copenhagen, Denmark. A lot of hard work has been undertaken since that decision, but now Rio is almost ready to stage what will be an unmissable Games,“ said Sir Philip.
“The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all those who attend and a chance for the whole of South America to unite and celebrate a sporting festival that will transform the continent forever.
“Rio 2016 must show to the world that Beijing 2008 and London 2012 were not exceptions, but the norm.
“We must build on this momentum with Rio 2016 and aim to set new records in terms of spectator attendance, TV audiences, athletic performance and social legacy,“ he added.
Four years ago, London 2012 sold a record 2.76 million tickets and attracted a cumulative global TV audience of 3.8 billion people. Sir Philip is optimistic that with affordable tickets prices and the host country targeting a top five finish in the medals table, the Brazilian public will turn out in force at the Games.
“With two million tickets for Rio 2016 costing just BRL 10, we are confident that the late buying Brazilian public will turn out in force and throw their full support behind the Brazilian team and the other 170 plus competing countries,“ Sir Philip said.
“In 2014, the Brazilian public suffered heartbreak when their national football side lost in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup but this September I think they will feel the opposite emotion. They will feel great pride and joy as Brazilian Paralympic athletes chase medals every single day.
“Even with six months to go, we know Rio 2016 will be the most widely broadcast Paralympics in history. More countries and territories than ever before have signed up to show the Games and we fully expect to reach a record cumulative TV audience of more than four billion people.“
Around 4,350 athletes from 170 countries will compete in 22 sports between 7-18 September.
British-born Sir Philip believes the growing interest in Paralympic sport is down to ever improving performances of the para-athletes which, in-turn, is also having a direct effect on the social impact of the Games.
“Many of the best athletes are now full-time and benefit from high performance training programmes on a par with their Olympic counterparts. This has resulted in an improvement in standards across all sports,“ said the five-time Paralympian.
“Improved performances and greater media coverage have led the Paralympic Games to develop a strong track record for changing and challenging deep-rooted views in society regarding disability.
Today, the Paralympic Games are the world’s number one sporting event for driving social inclusion, a position we want to cement further in Rio.“
Expectations and growing excitement
Although a number of Brazilian athletes such as swimmer Daniel Dias, sprinter Terezinha Guilhermina and blind footballer Jefinho enjoy a strong profile, Sir Philip appreciates that for much of the Brazilian public Rio 2016 will be their first experience of Paralympic sport. He is confident they will like what they see come September.
“I can promise you a life-changing experience that will make you re-evaluate what you believe is humanly possible,“ Sir Philip said. “You will see sport like never before and witness some of the best athletic performances ever delivered.“
“Over the next six months the excitement for the Paralympic Games will continue to build. The Olympic Park which is 95 per cent ready will transition from construction site to a giant theme park for sport. The newly erected venues will transform from empty shells to wonderful theatres where sporting memories that will be cherished forever will be created.“
Tickets are now available from www.rio2016.com
