As well as celebrating the achievements of the Brazilians in Lyon, which saw them finish third on the overall medal table with 16 gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze medals, the ceremony in the capital Brasília saw the announcement of the first 44 athletes to receive funding under the Government Assistance for Athletes programme - Bolsa Atleta.

Alan Oliveira, Terezinha Guilhermina and Lorena Spoladore were among the athletes present and they engaged in an impromptu hug with Rousseff, to portray "the gratefulness of the Paralympic Movement" in Brazil, according to Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) President Andrew Parsons.

Paralympic champion Oliveira won three golds in Lyon in the men's T43 100 metres, 200m and T44 400m, while Guilhermina claimed gold in the women's T11 100m, 200m and 400m, with Spoladore being crowned world champion in the women's T11 long jump.

"With that hug you transmitted the joy of winning," Rousseff said.

"I would like to thank you for the best present I have ever received.

"It shares some very special moments."


Bolsa Atleta, which was launched in 2005, is part of the Brazil Medal Plan which will see a further R$1 billion (£280 million/$435 million/€327 million) invested in sports in the build up to Rio 2016, part of which goes to funding elite athletes and Para-athletes' training costs.

The host nation has set a target of a top ten finish at the 2016 Olympic Games and a top five finish at the Paralympic Games.

Brazil's Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo praised the dedication of the athletes and their success at the World Championships.

"I am not surprised by the results in Lyon," he said.

"You have shown that you are dedicated and committed to winning those medals.

"We are doing our part by offering Government assistance, but most of the work is done by you, the athletes.

"You have conquered more than medals; you have also shown that with great effort everybody can overcome challenges."

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