Britain's Ellie Simmonds claims she is confident the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be a success ©Getty Images

Britain's Ellie Simmonds has claimed she is confident the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month will be a success even after series of drastic cuts were made to the event due to financial problems.

The four-time Paralympic gold medallist, who competes in the S6 classification, will be targeting more success in the pool during next month's Games, scheduled to take place from September 7 to 18.

There had been fears the event could be cancelled, with 10 nations already set to miss the Games, according to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Organisers are already three weeks late with paying "vital" grants to National Paralympic Committees, as insidethegames revealed last week.

If unresolved, this is likely to mean around 50 to 60 nations are unable to compete. 

Venue capacity is also expected to be cut, with only 12 per cent of tickets sold so far.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are incredible competitions and equally fantastic opportunities for athletes and it'd be remiss of us as competitors not to take in as much as we possibly can. I also want to win, of course," Simmonds said.

"I feel good and really excited. London 2012 was simply amazing, so if Rio comes even half as close as that, I'll be over the moon. 

"And I'm sure it will!”

The 21-year-old claims that the standard in the sport has "never been higher" and insists she is looking forward to taking part in the Brazilian city.

A number of cuts have had to be made to the Rio 2016 Paralympics ©Getty Images
A number of cuts have had to be made to the Rio 2016 Paralympics ©Getty Images

"As a Movement, Paralympic sport is growing and improving year on year and I can confidently say, the talent in swimming has never been so high," Simmonds said.

"I can't wait. 

"The Paralympics is the reason we get up and train every day. 

"Four years – well, more really – of incredibly tough training come down to these moments.”

Simmonds is likely to come up against arch nemesis Yelyzaveta Mereshko of the Ukraine, who beat her to the gold medal in the 400m freestyle at last year's IPC Swimming World Championships, at Rio 2016.

Before the loss, the Briton had held all world and Paralympic titles since Beijing 2008 in the event and she says she is determined to avenge the World Championships defeat at the Games.

"While Yelyzaveta Mereshko will no doubt be highlighted as someone I'll be competing closely against, I know there'll be plenty of others as well," said Simmonds. 

"It's going to be incredibly tough.

“I love having the competition."