by International Paralympic Committee
However, after raising over US$ 20,000 in just one week, the IPC and Rio 2016 have asked that the campaign stay open so that more tickets can be donated to local Brazilians as a gift from the world.
Confirmed number
The IPC and Rio 2016 have confirmed that up to 10,000 tickets can be purchased by the campaign at price of US$ 30 each to include transport, food and unforgettable sport.
All funds are being donated to the Paralympic Movement’s global governing body and the Agitos Foundation. The money raised will pay for Brazilian children and people with an impairment to attend the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games which open on Wednesday 7th September.
“We’d like to thank Greg for coming up with the campaign and for Tatyana and Hannah for being the first to back it. This campaign proves the Paralympic spirit is global and the idea of Brazilian youngsters and people with an impairment going to the Paralympic Games is inspiring.
We have decided to support #FillTheSeats because all money raised will be spent on taking people who maybe cannot afford a ticket to the Games. We want them to be part of history and part of Latin America’s first Paralympic Games.
Having full stadia at the Paralympics is hugely important for the athletes and we encourage the whole Paralympic Movement and the world to get behind and support this campaign.” Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer
Amazing idea
Rock band Coldplay who performed at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony have thrown their support behind the campaign via Twitter describing it as an “amazing idea”, as have a number of the world’s leading Paralympians.
“As physiotherapists we see first-hand just how inspiring the Games can be to people with all levels of disability who feel unnerved by the thought of sport and exercise. We started our crowd-fund to help the Games fill the seats and have so far raised GBP 3,000. Today we are teaming up with #filltheseats as we cannot think of a better way of spending that money than filling the seats with the next generation.” Jack Chew, who started the #savetheparalympics campaign:
In a further move, the United Kingdom campaign to #savetheparalympics have now backed #filltheseats and donated all of their funds raised to the campaign. It means that so far over US$25,000 has been raised for Rio.
“The Paralympics is uniquely able to change attitudes to disability the world over. We saw this in London and I am sure it will happen again in Brazil. But that means making sure the Paralympians compete in full stadia to help celebrate their achievements. Support this campaign – and the world can invite thousands of Brazilian children to marvel at these amazing athletes and experience the power of Paralympic sport.” Greg Nugent, London 2012 Marketing Director
Transforma Educacao
The programme will be managed as part of Transforma Educacao, the Rio 2016 official education programme and will target children from across the State of Rio de Janeiro; their journeys will be co-ordinated and facilitated by a team of trained staff who have been working on the overall programme.
“Our job is to organise great Paralympic Games in Rio but also to ensure all people have access to attending the Games; this initiative will certainly help us achieve that aim.” Carlos Nuzman, President of Rio 2016
Confirmation
The IPC and Rio 2016 have confirmed that 100 per cent of all raised money will be donated to filling the seats. The IPC has also announced that any surplus or unspent funds will be donated to legacy projects in Brazil and South America focused on sport for people with an impairment.
“The world is preparing once again to marvel at the great sporting talent at the Paralympics. We all want as many people as possible to witness the chance to witness the power of Paralympic sport at first hand – and these athletes deserve packed stadia.” Sir David Brailsford, Team Principal of Team Sky, who is personally supporting the campaign.
Ticket sales
Ticket sales for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are now over the one million mark.
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will take place between Wednesday 7th and Sunday 18th September.
Further information
Full details #FillTheSeats campaign