Amid celebrations marking the IPC's first half century last Monday (September 22), Craven told insidethegames: "At the London 2012 Paralympics, there were 46 competing countries out of 165 that only had one athlete competing.

"You can see that these are not the sort of team numbers we would want.

"We have got a lot of work to do.

"What is exciting, however, is that we have a positive message about the transformational social power of sport - and this really does ring bells with national Governments."

Asked about the potential threat to some track and field events at the Rio 2016 Paralympics because of a lack of registered athletes - the IPC announced that 27 of the 177 scheduled events are currently not meeting the minimum eligibility criteria as of June - Sir Philip responded: "For the Rio 2016 Games we are trying to retain and re-install events for athletes with higher support needs, including athletes who may require someone to accompany them to the Games.

"We've changed the athletic programme at Rio in comparison to the London 2012 Games, and specifically there are two areas that will increase - events for athletes with high support needs and events for women.

"It may turn out as we get nearer to Rio 2016 that there is a difficulty in that the odd event may be insufficient numbers to justify its inclusion.

"If that's the case, when we get nearer the Games we may add substitute events.

"But I'm confident the vast majority of categories will be filled.

"What's needed now is a big effort to encourage athletes and officials to embrace the Paralympics."

Sir Philip Craven is keeping his fingers crossed that the Rio 2016 Olympic Park (pictured) will be completed in time for the Games - and that there will be sufficient quotas of Paralympic athletes to justify all proposed events ©Getty Images

Accordingly, the IPC has urged national federations to ensure that all athletes are registered and licensed in order to provide an accurate data reflection for each proposed event.

Any events which continue not to meet the criteria can be removed and replaced by a substitute in line with the Rio 2016 Event Replacement Policy.

As he looks ahead to those imminent Games in Brazil, which have received fierce criticism within the last year for the slow pace of preparations - and at which the venues have had to be altered for a number of Paralympic events including sitting volleyball - Sir Philip remains sanguine.

"I'm feeling very good about Rio 2016," he insisted.

"These are not the only Games where changes have had to take place.

"It was the same in Beijing and London."

In May this year, an IPC spokesman made it clear that the organisation was maintaining a positive approach to the Rio 2016 state of readiness, although he added the rider that, if promised changes had not occurred by the end of this year, that attitude might change.

Sir Philip also maintained a positive take on the Rio 2016 readiness.

"I will be in Rio in person in March next year for the Chef de Mission meeting," he said.

"But I don't need to wait until next year to know about the progress that is being made.

"We have got people out there on a regular basis.

"And I am confident that if any catch-up has been needed, it has been achieved."

Read the full and exclusive interview with Sir Philip Craven here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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