The 2016 Summer Paralympics are almost here, and they will be played in Rio de Janeiro.
Much like the regular Olympics, the Paralympics will feature the world’s most talented athletes competing for gold, silver and bronze medals. Here are seven things to know about the event, which sees handicapped warriors do incredible things:
- The opening ceremony will feature three hours of the arts in a diverse and intriguing manner, with more than 500 staff and 2,000 volunteers taking place.
- The 2016 Summer Paralympics will take place in the Maracana stadium in Brazil, where 4,300 athletes will compete for glory.
- 50,000 tickets were initially available for the opening ceremony, but only 1,000 are still available.Funding has been a big problem for the event due to cheap ticket prices.
- The city’s mayor Eduardo Paes has had to raise more than an additional $70 million in funding, part of which stem from companies run by the state.1.6 million of the 2.5 million available tickets have been sold.
- 2012’s Summer Paralympics in London sold 2.7 million tickets.
- Prince Harry has made a donation to the #FillTheSeats movement, which helps organizers buy 10,000 tickets for local children.
- The favorites for the event are China, who won 95 gold medals in 2012, with Russia following with 36 golds, and Great Britain tailing closely behind with 34 golds.
The exciting event runs from September 7 through September 19.
