The International Paralympic Committee has announced that the Paralympic Games will go ahead next month in Rio de Janeiro, but will face major budget cuts.
With 19 days to go until the opening ceremony, the IPC admitted that Rio's organising committee had not raised enough money to fund the Paralympics, meaning that £7m worth of travel grants to help athletes get to Brazil were delayed.
However, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes has secured an additional £36m of funding and £24m in sponsorship from state-run companies after an injunction was lifted that had blocked further state aid for the Games.
"Never before in the 56-year history of the Paralympic Games have we faced circumstances like this," IPC president Sir Philip Craven told reporters on Friday.
Cuts will be made to transport, the workforce and venues, with some events forced to move, and 10 countries may struggle to get teams to Rio due to the grant delays.
Giuseppe Labellarte
