RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Crucial payments to fund the travel of Paralympic teams to Brazil have not been transferred, threatening the participation of some nations, the chief executive of the Paralympic movement said on Saturday.
The International Paralympic Committee said the payments, which are vital for funding travel and logistics, must be sent to its members next week. The IPC is expecting around 160 countries to participate in the Paralympics but fears withdrawals if the cash isn't received.
"Our number one priority is that the first instalment of support grants which the organizing committee should have paid to all participating National Paralympic Committees at the end of July, are paid in the coming week," IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez said in a statement.