It is expected that around 1,100 athletes will be in attendance at what is expected to be the biggest Paralympic Games in history across 177 medal events, 96 for men and 81 for women.

There are no changes to the men’s programme although there are minor alterations to the classes which can compete in the women’s events.

The 100 metres T33 has been replaced by the T34 400m, and the T54 women’s 100m will make way for the F54 shot put competition.

Elsewhere, the T45/46 1500m has been axed in favour of 200m T45/46/47, while there will be no T45/46/47 marathon as that has been dropped from the programme, and that will be replaced by the men’s 800m T36.

“We believe the Rio 2016 athletics programme gives more athletes an opportunity to compete at a Paralympic Games by providing a greater balance of events for all classes," head of IPC Athletics Ryan Montogomery said.

“When we announced the Rio 2016 programme in July 2013 we did so with a long term aspiration to develop the sport so that it catered for and developed more athletes across more classes, and in turn create greater competitive fields for each class.

“I am pleased that since we announced the original programme nearly two years ago we have started to see the desired outcomes.

"Participation across the board is up 12.5 per cent whilst the number of athletes with high support needs competing has increased by 24.7 per cent.

“We are well aware that there will be some athletes whose event may have taken place in London 2012 but will not feature in Rio.

“We can fully understand their disappointment but in finalising the 2016 programme we needed to make the long term interests of the sport our priority as in future years this will benefit a far greater number of athletes.”

Around 4,350 athletes from 175 countries will compete in Rio, where canoe and triathlon will make their debuts on the Paralympic programme.

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