IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez warned Tokyo they must realise the Paralympic potential sooner ©Getty Images

Tokyo 2020 have been warned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to avoid repeating mistakes made by Rio 2016 in "not realising the full potential" of the event until it was underway.

Speaking at the end of the Rio 2016 debrief here, IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez described September's Games as a "great success" which "did much to progress and grow the Paralympic Movement around the world".

But he warned Tokyo to avoid mistakes made during a tumultuous build-up in Brazil during which, at one stage, the entire staging of the event appeared at risk.

"The success of the event surprised us all bearing in mind what we faced in Rio, especially in the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony," he said.

"Thanks must go to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the City of Rio and the Federal Government for stepping in to support the Games when we needed them most.

"There are many things that worked well in Rio and it’s important that these things are taken forward into the organisation of future Games.

"As with all Games, there are also a number of things that did not work so well and it is absolutely vital that we work together with Organising Committees to ensure these issues are never ever repeated.

"I think it is fair to say that the Rio organisers only realised the full potential of the Paralympics when the event was underway."

Good crowds were eventually seen at the Paralympics but the IPC believe they could have been better if promotional work had started sooner ©Getty Images
Good crowds were eventually seen at the Paralympics but the IPC believe they could have been better if promotional work had started sooner ©Getty Images

Ticket sales remained at just 12 per cent with four weeks to go until the Rio Opening Ceremony.

Organisers also missed deadlines for paying "vital" grants to National Paralympic Committees as they ran out of money.

This was only alleviated by Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes committing an additional BRL150 million (£40 million/$55 million/€47 million) of state funding. 

Venues were also moved amid other funding cuts as IPC President Sir Philip Craven admitted how "never before in the 56 year history of the Paralympic Games have we faced circumstances like this".

But a marked improvement took place in the final weeks as ticket sales soared.

The event ultimately passed all expectations and Sir Philip even called it the "best Paralympics ever in terms of athletic performance". 

IPC President Sir Philip Craven praises the success of Rio 2016 during the Closing Ceremony ©Getty Images
IPC President Sir Philip Craven praises the success of Rio 2016 during the Closing Ceremony ©Getty Images

"The Games will be remembered as the People’s Games, an event which was hugely embraced by the Cariocas - the residents of Rio - who turned out in force to enjoy an experience that has changed them forever," Gonzalez added today.

"With outstanding crowds and wonderful support from volunteers and staff, athletes delivered the best performances ever seen at a Paralympic Games. 

"I think the Games underlined the growing maturity of the Paralympic Movement across all stakeholders. 

"Faced with unprecedented circumstances it rose to the challenge and made the Games an unforgettable experience for all involved."

The Spaniard optimistically concluded that Tokyo 2020 has the potential to stage "the best Paralympics ever" in four years' time.

“We are confident that the leadership of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Tokyo Metropolitan Government realise the true potential of the Paralympics and the impact they can have on social inclusion," he said.