The confirmation of the funds follows an agreement signed with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) last year, with the aim of giving the country's Paralympians the best conditions and training opportunities for the two Games.

It is particularly important for Brazil, one of the world's leading Paralympic nations, as the Games visits its country, and specifically Rio de Janeiro, in 2016.

The funding covers training, travel, accommodation and fees among other expenses along with R$1.8 million (£600,000/$1 million/€750,000) will be for acquiring sports equipment.

The agreement covers 16 sports: athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, cycling, fencing, blind five-a-side football (pictured top), seven-a-side football, goalball, weightlifting, equestrian, judo, adaptive rowing, wheelchair tennis, archery, shooting and sitting volleyball.

Arguably Brazil's strongest Paralympic sport, swimming, is not included, however.

"The Sports Ministry and the Federal Government as a whole are major partners of Brazilian Paralympic sport," said the CPB President Andrew Parsons.

"This support will be essential to [help] achieve our goals in London.

"Brazil already fights among the great powers of International Paralympic sport, and with this investment by the Ministry of Sports for the Paralympic Games in London we can offer our athletes the best preparation of all time."


Parsons also thanked Brazil's Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo and Brazilian former World Cup-winning footballer Romário (pictured above), who has advanced the cause of Paralympic sport in his role as a Congressman.

"I thank the Federal Government, represented by Aldo Rebelo, who has increasingly invested in sport for people with disabilities," said Parsons.

"I also want to commend Congressman Romário for his performance in Congress who, with his effort, has emerged as a strong advocate of the interests of the national Paralympic Movement.

"With support and encouragement, and the talent and tenacity of the Brazilian athletes, certainly we will fill our country with pride for a victorious campaign in London."

The Ministry of Sport has already agreed to fund the CPB with R$3.5 million (£1.2 million/$1.9 million/€1.4 million) for the training and acclimatisation of Brazil's 127 Paralympians who will be based in Manchester, England, from August 12 to 25, ahead of this summer's Games.

The CPB also has a partnership with Manchester City Council to provide appropriate facilities for its athletes.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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