International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach will not attend any of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Bach had already said he would miss Wednesday's opening ceremony to remain in Germany for the funeral of his friend Walter Scheel, the former West German foreign minister and deputy chancellor who died last month aged 97.
But the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) officials said he was now unable to reschedule other commitments and will be unable to travel to Brazil after the funeral.
"President Bach was planning to attend the Opening Ceremony and first day of competition but can no longer attend due to a State funeral in Germany," said Craig Spence, the IPC's Director of media and communications.
"We fully understand that he cannot reschedule other long standing engagements to attend the Games here at a later date.
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"The IOC is the IPC's number one strategic partner and we thank them, and President Bach, for their continued support."
The IPC did not say what the long-standing engagements were.
"The fact that he can't come is unfortunately a fact of life and shows how busy these presidents and officials are," Spence said.
"We don't see it as a snub at all."
Rio was awarded the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympics in 2009.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday night and the Games run from September 7-18.
