Rio mayor Eduardo Paes also had a go at the sport alongside the Paralympics' mascot Tom, while watching on in the audience were International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Phillip Craven, IPC Vice President and Brazilian Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons and Rio 2016 Organising Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Brazil also won the gold at the Parapan American Games in Toronto last month and gave a brief demonstration of the sport for visually impaired athletes, while a presenter explained the rules to the crowd.

The Future Arena is set to host goalball competition next summer.

“When I first got here, I had goosebumps,” said Leomon Silva of the Brazil team.

“Imagine in 2016, this arena filled with 12,000 hearts beating for us.

"Everyone knows that Brazilians are very emotional, full of positive vibes."

Craven added: “This is a fantastic arena, but it is made of steel and concrete.

"Until the moment that people walk in here and use the arena, you cannot really feel the passion.

"But we felt it.  

"We saw the world champions play and we also saw some new enthusiasts who walked into the arena with eyeshades on to play goalball.”

With the court and grandstands now complete, the Future Arena is on track to be officially unveiled by the end of 2015, with a capacity of 12,000.

It is one of nine competition venues within Barra Olympic Park, and will host handball matches during the Olympics as well as goalball at the Paralympics.

The arena, which has a design incorporating nomadic architecture, will be dismantled after the Games and transformed into four public schools, each large enough for 500 students.