The IPC outlined several reasons why the Rio 2016 Paralympics were their top moment of the year, including "people power", world-class performances and global reach.

"Few will forget the Rio 2016 Paralympics," the IPC said in announcing the event had finished at the summit of their poll.

"Despite a number of issues in the lead-up, Latin America’s first Paralympics will be remembered as the People’s Games, a sporting festival that arguably did more for the Paralympic Movement than any previous edition."

Serious concerns over the state of preparations for this year’s Paralympic Games were raised by the IPC, with growing speculation that the event may not even take place as planned due to financial issues in Brazil just weeks before the Opening Ceremony in September.

insidethegames understands that Rio 2016 chief executive Sidney Levy called IPC counterpart Xavier Gonzalez four weeks before the Opening Ceremony in order to tell them they had no money to organise the Games.

At this stage, they had already missed a deadline to pay the first installment of $4.3 million (£3.5 million/€4.1 million).

The IPC appealed directly to Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and organisers were eventually granted an extra R$150 million (£36 million/$46 million/€42 million) in Municipal Government funding.

"Drastic" cuts including the closure of the Deodoro venue hub were then introduced to ensure the Games could go ahead.

The IPC claim the fact that the Cariocas - the people of Rio de Janeiro - got behind the Paralympics by snapping up tickets ensured they could stage an "extra special" Games.

More than 2.15 million tickets were sold, the IPC said.

This had been another major fear for organisers as ticket sales were initially low before they began to pick up in the lead-up to the Games.

The IPC also pointed to the achievements of some of the stars of the Paralympics, such as Britain’s cyclist Sarah Storey, Belarusian swimmer Ihar Boki and American track sensation Tatyana McFadden.

Global reach was outlined by the governing body as the third reason why Rio 2016 topped the list as 154 countries screened coverage of the Games, reaching a cumulative audience of four billion people.

"The Rio 2016 Games showed that no matter where the Paralympics are held they can be a great success," said Sir Philip.

"Many said Beijing 2008 was always going to be a success because they were in China; people said the same about London 2012 as Great Britain is the Paralympic Movement’s birthplace.

"But few thought Rio would be the huge success it turned out to be.

"Everyone came together to deliver a tremendous and memorable Games that did so much for propelling the Paralympic Movement forward to new levels."