Andrew Parsons, pictured with a child and a mascot in Rio last year, has spoken positively about his meeting with the Brazilian President ©AFP/Getty Images

Brazilian Paralympic Committee head Andrew Parsons has praised recent discussions with the country's President Dilma Rousseff for being as "good as possible", claiming it bodes well both for next year's Games in Rio as well as the more general future of Para-sport in the South American nation.

During a meeting between the two which followed similar talks between Rousseff and officials, including Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman and the city's Mayor Eduardo Paes, the duo discussed preparations for the Games, as well as what the envisaged legacy would bring.

This included updates regarding construction progress at the Brazilian Paralympic Centre, currently being built in São Paulo, while the ticket sales process was another item on the agenda.

It follows an announcement last week that tickets will made available on September 7 following special International Paralympic Day celebrations on Copacabana Beach.

Dilma Rousseff pictured arriving for her meetings with Rio 2016 officials this week ©AFP/Getty Images
Dilma Rousseff pictured arriving for her meetings with Rio 2016 officials this week ©AFP/Getty Images

"It is always a pleasure when we have a meeting with President Dilma Rousseff," said Parsons, the vice-president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"Every time we meet with her, we can notice how important Brazilian Paralympic sport is for the Federal Government and for Dilma herself."

"She showed a great knowledge of the subjects we went over.

"The feedback we got from her regarding our discussions was as good as possible.

"One thing that particularly excited the President, for example, was our goal to break the record of 2.8 million tickets sold at London 2012."

While various figures from within the Olympic Movement were critical of the slow progress of preparations last year, Paralympic officials have generally given only positive feedback, with IPC President Sir Philip Craven repeatedly hailing how the Games will break all viewing records and follow on from recent successes seen at London 2012 and Sochi 2014.

One concern that must remain regards measures to reduce pollution levels on Guanabara Bay, where both Olympic and Paralympic sailing will take place, with the State Government having so far failed to purchase boats to collect rubbish still littering the Bay.



Related stories:
May 2015: Brazilian President vows to "integrate more deeply" with Rio 2016 preparations
May 2015: International Paralympic Day planned on Copacabana Beach to launch Rio 2016 ticket sales
April 2015: Rio 2016 Paralympic Torch Relay to cover all five regions of Brazil and Stoke Mandeville
April 2015: Rio 2016 celebrates 500 days to go to Paralympic Games with Copacabana flash mob
April 2015: Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will break all viewing records, IPC claim