"Although we are disappointed, we respect the decision of the two National Paralympic Committees."

The World Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting Championships, which were postponed due to the Mexico earthquake, have been rearranged.

Ireland’s Paralympic team has been set a target of eight medals from this year’s Games in Brazil.

Simon Cowell has claimed Cheryl Fernandez-Versini appeared “crazy” on the US X Factor and described their fallout as a “nightmare”.