By Duncan Mackay at the Windsor Barra Hotel in Rio de Janeiro

London 2012 debrief Rio de Janeiro November 22 2012November 23 - Rio 2016 have been warned that they face tough challenges ahead in the next four years following the conclusion of the latest project review carried out by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). 


The review followed the two-day London 2012 debriefing, which finished yesterday. 

The IPC team of 10 was led by Xavier Gonzalez, the chief executive, and Thanos Kostopoulos, the Paralympic Games Integration Director, while the Rio 2016 delegation was headed by Leonardo Gryner, their chief executive.

The day long review, the fourth since Rio was awarded the Games by the International Olympic Committee at its Session in Copenhagen in October 2009, covered a number of subjects, including transport, venues, village, accommodation, broadcast integration, commercial, spectator experience and communications.

"This has been a very productive week," said Gonzalez.

"Following the London 2012 debrief, Rio 2016 now fully understands the full scope of the Paralympic Games and the challenges they face.

"They are under no illusions of the hard work that lies ahead.

"Now that London is consigned to the history books as the best ever Paralympic Games, the focus is now fully on Rio.

"We have challenged them to 'bring the world to Rio' in four years time and deliver an even better Games than London."

Alan Oliveria interviewed by Craig Spence Rio de Janeiro November 22 2012Alan Oliveira (right), the winner of the T44 200 metres at London 2012, is set to be one of the Brazilian stars of Rio 2016

Gryner promised that the first time Paralympics to be held in South America would be a memorable occasion.

"The International Paralympic Committee's London 2012 debriefing, held here on Wednesday and Thursday, and the specific side meetings between Rio 2016 and the IPC were enormously helpful in feeding new information into our planning," he said.

"This project review was as much about giving updates on our progress as it was about fine tuning our plans and agreeing on directions.

"We end this week even more energised and enthusiastic about putting our learnings into practice."

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