Sir Philip Craven is confident of a successful Paralympic Games with exactly six months to go ©Rio 2016/Alex Ferro

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven has predicted an "unmissable Games" with exactly six-months-to-go until the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony.

Sir Philip, who claims the Brazilian city is "almost ready", highlighted the importance of the first South American edition 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 de Janeiro was historically elected to host Latin America’s first Paralympic Games in Copenhagen, Denmark," he said.

"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.

“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."

Flamboyant visually impaired sprinter Terezinha Guilhermina is one leading Brazilian athlete set to compete grab attention at the Rio 2016 Paralympics ©Getty Images
Flamboyant visually impaired sprinter Terezinha Guilhermina is one leading Brazilian athlete set to grab attention at the Rio 2016 Paralympics ©Getty Images

The Games will be a poignant event for Sir Philip as well as the Paralympic movement, with the event set to mark the final Paralympics before the Briton stands down next year after four terms and 16 years in the top job.

Four years ago, London 2012 sold a record 2.76 million tickets and attracted a cumulative global television audience of 3.8 billion people.

Despite ticket sales currently languishing between 12 and 15 per cent, Sir Philip claims to be optimistic that, with affordable 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 BRL10 (£2/$3/€2.50), 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,” he added.

“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.

“I can promise you a life-changing experience that will make you re-evaluate what you believe is humanly possible.

“You will see sport like never before and witness some of the best athletic performances ever delivered.”

Around 4,350 athletes from 170 countries are expected to compete in 22 sports between September 7 and 18.