BPC President and International Paralympic Committee Governing Board member Andrew Parsons and Rio 2016 chief executive Leonardo Gryner were on hand as Parsons presented Gryner with a commemorative plaque.

Gryner then took the opportunity to give an update on the latest developments in the planning for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

"We are now beginning the development of the Paralympic Games logo and hope to unveil it by the second half of the year," he said.

Parsons added he was delighted that the Rio 2016 Paralympics were being organised with the same high standard of planning involved for the Olympics.

"I would like to express my happiness to have a single Organising Committee for both events," said the BPC President.

"This partnership began in 2001 when we launched a joint bid for the Pan American and Parapan American Games Rio 2007 and it was an absolute success.

"This was one of the legacies of the event, to have the same city staging both competitions.

"From the outset the aim of this committee was to bring Brazilian sports together in the same organisation," said Parsons.

Carlos Nuzman, President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, could not attend the ceremony in person but sent a video message in which he highlighted the commitment of all involved in the making of the Paralympic Games.

"Today is a very happy day," he said.

"The day we celebrate progress in the organisation and preparation for the Paralympic Games, and especially in the will, spirits and conviction that we will stage in 2016 the most successful Paralympic Games ever held.

"We will keep on working very hard; strive as if it was already the Opening Ceremony day.

"Together we will build this great legacy for the Paralympic Games and for Paralympic sports in Brazil."

In November 2010, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) chief executive Xavier Gonzalez stated he was "excited and pleased" to see how Rio de Janeiro is preparing to hold the 2016 Paralympic Games on a visit to the city.

The visit was part of the first meeting between the IPC and the Rio 2016 Committee to review the project of the Paralympic Games in the city.

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