Nuzman Defends Rio Budget as 'Balanced'

(ATR) Carlos Nuzman guarantees that the Rio 2016 budget will be balanced at the end of the Paralympics.

Speaking to international reporters for the first time during the Olympics and Paralympics, Nuzman downplayed the money Rio 2016 received from the city government and state-run corporations. Nuzman said Rio 2016 is ready and willing to accept all kinds of sponsorships from the public or private sectors.

"It is the same because the money in the end comes to work and to help the organizing committee and the Games and that’s how we work," Nuzman said. "The city they give advanced word of funding. What we talk about [with the $2.8 billion budget] and then your questions brought up here are about around $20 million, that’s a huge difference."

International Paralympic Committee officials came to Rio during the Olympic Games to discuss a budget shortfall that was threatening the staging of the Paralympics. Eventually, state-run corporations delivered $31.1 million in sponsorships and the city of Rio promised $46.7 million to fund the Games.

When pressed, Nuzman said that "you cannot compare" the sponsorship money from state-run companies to the scope of the full budget. He added that concerns over funding take away from the entire event.

"This is a balanced budget," Nuzman said.

Nuzman downplayed the fact that he has not held a press conference with reporters until now at the Olympic Park. The Rio 2016 president was supposed to hold a press conference the day after the Olympic Closing Ceremony but cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.

"With the success of the Olympic Games that happened here to today, and all you mention in the media I didn’t think I needed to come," Nuzman said. "At the end I will make an evaluation of everything."

Carioca Arena 3 Fire

Organizers say a fire on the roof of Carioca Arena 3 almost disrupted the beginning of wheelchair fencing competition.

A balloon, released by a nearby community, crashed on top of the arena starting the fire. The balloons are traditionally launched as part of celebrations during the Brazilian winters. A small fire is used to make the balloons float, making them illegal.

Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrada confirmed the incident, and said that firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, but water seeped into the venue damaging some of the carpet. Rio 2016 then worked to replace the carpet and get necessary inspections to clear the venue. The checks were done quickly and competition began on time this morning.

"They checked in the morning and did a report, and said the arena is okay," Andrada added. "When we were called we thought the firefighters would take longer to do their report so we were prepared to postpone the competition.

"[The balloons], they always catch fire which is why they are illegal and dangerous."

Craven Says Momentum Will Continue

Lesser crowds after a record breaking weekend will not dampen the Paralympics.

IPC President Philip Craven says that attendance for the Paralympics will "crescendo" going into the closing ceremony. That buildup will keep the excitement generated from this past weekend ongoing long past the Games.

On Sept. 10, the Paralympic Park saw a record 170,000 people come out to watch Paralympic sport. It was the single most attended day of either the Paralympics or Olympics. The day after 162,000 spectators came to the Park. With school and work returning for many Cariocas, the crowds are expected to be smaller in the beginning of the week.

"I believe the momentum that’s here is so powerful and so strong that a drop in numbers is not going to affect the manner in which the Brasileiros and Cariocas feel about the Paralympics," Craven said. "That will continue throughout the week and will come again to a crescendo during the final weekend."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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