On the Scene - IOC Opens Rio Olympics Preparation

(ATR) Organizers of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics meet with key staff from the IOC today in aCopacabana hotel ballroom, an early step on the road to 2016.

An eight member delegation from the IOC, headed by Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli is meeting with some 300 representatives from all levels of Brazilian government, the Rio 2016 organizing committee, and Brazilian Olympic and Paralympic Committees.

Felli is joined by Timo Lumme, director of television and marketing services; Christophe Dubi, director of sports; Anthony Scanlon, head of Olympic Games coordination, services and operations; Jennifer O’Brien, Olympic Games coordination project manager; Robert Roxburgh, head of communications; and Toshio Tsurunaga, manager of IOC services for National Olympic Committees.

The two-day meeting, taking place at the Copacabana Palace hotel, is supposed to initiate the working relationship between the IOC and new Olympic host city. The meeting comes less than a month after Rio de Janeiro won the 2016 Games at the IOC Session in Copenhagen.

At the IOC’s request, the meetings take place behind closed doors.

According to a Rio 2016 representative, Friday’s agenda focused on the two sides getting to know each other, with more specific issues set for Saturday.

Joao Havelange, the most senior IOC member, will join Rio organizing chiefs Carlos Nuzman and Carlos Osorio at the meeting. Brazilian sports minister, Orlando Silva, Rio Governor Sérgio Cabral and Mayor Eduardo Paes lead the governmental delegation.

A press conference is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Written by Ed Hula III.