Organisers of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games have reportedly been forced to make significant financial cutbacks in order to avoid going over budget.

Rio 2016 officials are having to reel in their spending by up to 30 per cent, with the opening ceremony, infrastructure and volunteering among the projects set to be scaled back, according to reports.

The cost of bringing the World Cup to Brazil in 2014 prompted protests in the South American nation and Games bosses are keen to avoid similar negativity in the lead-up to the Olympics.

"The days of lavish spending are over," Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrada told the BBC. "We need to be creative in the way we find these savings.

"People get upset about luxury and excess. We have to tighten our belts."