By Nick Butler

The IPC insist Rio 2016 can still be as successful as London 2012, 20 months after the Paralympic Flag was passed from one to the other at the Closing Ceremony ©Getty ImagesAlthough it is tempting to "jump on the bandwagon" and criticise preparations for Rio 2016, it is better to offer support and praise the positive aspects, an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) official has told insidethegames.


Over recent weeks there has been huge criticism of multiple aspects of preparations from figures within the Olympic Movement, on issues ranging from construction to legacy, and from security to pollution.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president John Coates claimed preparations are "the worst he had experienced" in his long association with the Games, before IOC executive director Gilbert Felli admitted construction work at the Deodoro Complex, where three Paralympic and seven Olympic disciplines will be held, is two years behind schedule.

But following a visit to the host city by members of the IPC management team this week, director of media and communications Craig Spence justified their more conciliatory approach, as he expressed confidence the plans now in place will be fulfilled.

"Construction problems in the Deodoro Cluster have been very well documented, but the IOC have a firm plan in place to ensure they are all ready in time," he told insidethegames. 

"They are confident that will occur, and if venues are ready in time for the Olympics then they will be ready for the Paralympics. 

"It is very easy to jump on the bandwagon, but it is also important to publicise the positive aspects, and the many other areas where progress is being made." 

The IPC visit followed a first ever "Open Day" for National Paralympic Committees last week ©Rio2016The IPC visit followed a first ever "Open Day" for National Paralympic Committees last week ©Rio2016





Spence also praised Rio for their "transparency and how open they were about what stage they are at", a quality which has certainly not always been highlighted by Olympic officials.

He admitted there were organisational differences from London 2012, but claimed this was natural because no two Organising Committees will ever be the same, and he remains confident the Games in Rio will ultimately be just as successful as the ones in London.

"We were also impressed with the specific preparation required for the Paralympic Games, including the work to improve accessibility, not just for disabled people, but also for those with pushchairs," he said.

"None of this would have taken place without the Games."

One other indication of how seriously the Organising Committee are taking the Paralympic Games, Spence claims, is by their appointment of IPC vice-president Andrew Parsons this week as chairman of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Integration Committee.

With Parsons also President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Spence sees this as a "really positive step" because there "is no better person to act as a link between Rio and the Paralympic Movement".

But he did offer a note of warning for Games organisers by insisting that, while the IPC is confident the plans now in place will be achieved, if they are not being implemented by the time of their next visit later this year, they will altar their positive approach.