By Duncan Mackay

Delegates from 18 countries, including France, heard about the preparations for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro ©FacebookA total of 39 representatives from 18 countries have taken part in the second Rio 2016 National Paralympic Committees Open Day, with most having left seemingly quite impressed.


Delegates from Austria, Brazil, Bahrain, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, The Gambia, Israel, Jordan, Namibia, New Zealand, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay visited the Brazilian city to inspect the facilities and to receive an update on preparations. 

It followed an earlier NPC Dopen Day in May, which was attended by 17 countries.

During this latest two-event they visited all four Games zones - Barra, Copacabana, Deodoro, Maracana - to see first-hand the progress being made in venue construction and were given updates from Rio 2016 on functional areas, including sport, venues, transport, accommodation and accreditation.

Among those who took part in the Open Day was International Paralympic Committee vice-president Andrew Parsons, head of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.

Representatives from 18 countries visited Brazil to attend the second National Paralympic Committees Open Day ©Alex Ferro/Rio 2016Representatives from 18 countries visited Brazil to attend the second National Paralympic Committees Open Day ©Alex Ferro/Rio 2016

Others that took part included 21-times Paralympic medallist Chantal Petitclerc, Canada's Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, who was particularly impressed with the Athletes' Village.

"Things are going very well on their way," said Petitclerc, who had also been Canada's Chef de Mission at this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"We´re very happy about the compact training and competitions hubs here.

"The athletes will be able to go from the Village to compete locally and come back very quickly.

"The Village is very important, and thisVillage is great.

"It has nice buildings a really pleasant environment, it is like magic happening.

"Changes in accessibility before and after the Games will be the best legacy.

"Rio is okay when comparing with cities in all the counties that I've been, but I think because of the Games everything will get better."

New Zealand's Chef de Mission Ben Lucas also praised the transformation in Rio de Janeiro.

"I have to say that I am very impressed with the progress that has been made since I visited back in May this year," he said.

"It seems that there is a genuine drive to get all venues finished on time for the Games in 2016 with all venues being a hive of activity with some serious work being done."

Canada's Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc praised Rio 2016 for its preparations but warned selling tickets for the Paralympics would be tough ©TwitterCanada's Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc praised Rio 2016 for its preparations but warned selling tickets for the Paralympics would be tough ©Twitter

But Petitclerc warned Brazilian officials would have to work hard if it was to ensure that it was as successful as London 2012 in selling tickets for the Paralympics. 

"I think it will be very interesting to see what the support of the city will be for the athletes, it is always a challenge to Paralympic sport to have to sell tickets and have people in the  stadium," she said.

"It´s  changing a lot, as we saw in London, every venue was full.

"It's a great sign.

"It´s not like the Olympics, but it´s getting better.

"But it´s not very easy.

"People always know about Usain Bolt, but people don't always know who is  the faster wheelchair racer.

"That´s a great challenge."

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