One Year to go Until Rio 2016 Paralympics; IPC President Expects Record TV Figures

Rio got in the party mood on Monday with various festivities marking the one year to go milestone until the very first South American Paralympics.

A total of 4,350 athletes from 178 countries will embark on Rio de Janeiro in a quest for gold medals.

A special two-day Paralympic Festival got underway in Rio yesterday, with today (7 September) marking independence day in the country, giving the natives a double celebration.

Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman said: “One year from now, at the Maracanã Stadium, we will celebrate the opening of the first Paralympic Games to be staged in South America.

“We are making the final preparations to host the best Paralympic athletes on the planet. They will produce unforgettable moments of sporting excellence in Rio and I am certain that all Brazilians will welcome them with the warmth and hospitality that we are famous for around the world.”

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven is currently out in Rio enjoying the festivities and expects next year’s Paralympics to break several records, particularly with TV viewing figures.

“You could not ask for a more vibrant host city,” said Sir Philip.

“Brazilians are huge lovers of sport, and at the festival they will get a flavour of the tremendous sporting action they can expect next year.

“Our aim is to build on the success of London 2012 and Sochi 2014, and so far the signs look extremely good. We have more broadcasters than ever before signed up to cover the Games and we are fully confident we will break the four billion cumulative TV audience figure for the first time.”

Tickets for the Paralympics were officially made available for local residents today, with a total of 3.3 million tickets available, which is half a million more than London 2012.

{jcomments on}