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| The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics will begin on Sept. 7 / Courtesy of Twitter |
By Lee Han-soo
Although the closing ceremony for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics was held on Monday, the global event is far from over.
The Paralympics, the major international multi-sport event involving people with a range of physical disabilities, will start on Sept. 7.
However, whether the Paralympics will go off as planned remains unclear, as obstacles that jeopardize the event's opening still linger.
Just 19 days before the Paralympic Games' opening, Brazil announced major budget cuts to the event. The cuts come as the nation's economy is currently in a bind and only 12 percent of the tickets to the Paralympics have been sold so far.
The budget cuts have led to changes around transport and venues, downsizing of staff and possible dismantling of Deodoro Olympic Park, one of the venues.
With uncertainty in the air, Brazilian authorities have recently put together funding from private and state sources for the Paralympics. The fund has calmed some nerves as it has resolved some of the most pressing problems by allowing travel grants to more than 165 countries participating in the event.
"Ten countries may still have trouble funding the trip," said Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympics Committee (IPC), according to the BBC. "But most should make it."
"If need be, we will purchase their air tickets in advance and then receive the grant money on their behalf," said IPC media and communications director Craig Spence, "so we are confident we will have everyone there."
Although the Olympics may eclipse the Paralympics, the determination and strength of para-athletes may be as breathtaking and fiercely competitive as any athletic displays in the Summer Games.
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