AKIPRESS.COM - The international games featuring more than 4,300 disabled athletes from 161 countries opened in Rio de Janeiro amid reports that costs could outpace ticket sales and sponsorships, jeopardizing some aspects of the games, NPR reports.

But organizers say a last-minute push has boosted ticket sales and a bailout by the Brazilian government has helped save the event.

International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven said he was notified just five weeks ago that funding for the games was tight.

"This is the worst situation that we've ever found ourselves in at Paralympic movement," Craven told The Associated Press. "We were aware of difficulties, but we weren't aware it was as critical as this."

The AP reports that the city of Rio contributed more than $46 million and the Brazilian federal government chipped in another $30.7 million funneled through three state-run entities.