Paralympics ticket sales could hit 2 million

Rio de Janeiro, Sep 5: More than 80 percent of the 2.4 million tickets made available for the Rio Paralympics could be sold amid a late surge in demand, according to the head of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB).

After months of tepid interest, ticket sales for the September 7-18 event have spiked since the end of the Olympic Games on August 21.

"We have 2.4 million tickets on sale, but the goal is to sell 2 million," CPB President Andrew Parsons was quoted as saying by the Globo newspaper on Sunday.

"I can guarantee that there will be Brazilians on the medal podium nearly every day. And having (local) fans there will be important. I am certain that those who attend will see that Paralympic sport is incredible."

Concerns about Paralympics funding amid Brazil's worst recession in decades have also been allayed in recent days, according to Parsons.

He said the federal government was in the process of disbursing 250 million reais ($77) requested by organisers, reports Xinhua.

Parsons did not reveal a specific medals target for Brazil but said the hosts aimed to finish among the top five in the standings.