Paralympics supporters join crowdfunding campaign to fill empty seats
Paralympics supporters have set up a crowdfunding page in a last ditch attempt to ensure a respectable turnout at the Rio Games, after athletes faced the prospect of competing within near empty stadiums.
‘Save the 2016 Paralympics’ aims to raise £7m to purchase remaining tickets for people wishing to attend, after it emerged that just 12 per cent of the ticket allocation for next month’s event had been bought.
Amongst those backing the ticket drive is Paralympic runner Noel Thatcher who has called for spare funds arising from a ban on Russian competitors to be reallocated to nations hit by low ticket sales.
A scaled back Paralympics will take place in Rio from 7 September after Brazil was forced to scale back its transport and workforce for the event owing to a lack of funds.