Rio 2016 Thankful for Former APO Chief

(ATR) Leaders at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 organizing committee tell Around the Rings they "have a lot [for which] to thank" General Fernando Azevedo e Silva.

A Rio 2016spokesperson toldATR thatwhile Azevedo e Silva was in charge of the Olympic Public Authority (APO), it created "a strong [partnership] that has helped the preparation for the Rio 2016 Games in many ways."

"We congratulate him and wish him the best on his new assignment with the East Military Command, one of the most prestigious positions in the Brazilian military structure," the statement said.

"As we move from planning to execution phase, we look forward to continuing to work closely with the APO."

The general had been promoted to a four-star ranking earlier in 2014 and, according to Rio 2016, helped develop the matrix of responsibilities that help coordinate the efforts between federal, state and city government.

Paralympic Committee Birthday

The Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) celebrated its 20th birthday on Feb. 10.

"I want to share this moment of celebration with so many people that it would be impossible to mention everyone,"Andrew Parsons, Brazilian Paralympic Committee president, said in a statement to the International Paralympic Committee.

"We made it from a room that we rented, without recognition, without sources of funding, to become the seventh power of the world in Paralympic sport."

For the anniversary the CPB released an anniversary logo to be used during the year.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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