Press Release: Rio 2016 Presents To European Olympic Committees – Team Highlights It Is Time For A Change

Istanbul, 21 November, 17.00hrs - The Rio 2016 delegation of Carlos Nuzman (President), Sergio Cabral (State Governor), Carlos Osório (Secretary General) and Janeth Arcain (Olympian and World Champion) supported by Mayor Elect of Rio, Eduardo Paes, today presented their case to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to this major gathering of the Olympic Family;

Carlos Nuzman, also President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said:

“Rio is a passionate city. Its natural beauty, diversity and energy will provide an incredible stage for the Games. The venues will be full and the celebration will flow into the streets. The excitement will be contagious—whether you are at an event or watching on television. And the world will unite to celebrate a shared humanity.

“To have the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil in 2016 would be the greatest honour, not just for us, but for all in South America, and would send a signal about the possibility and the power of the Games for all the regions of the world.

“Many countries and continents have had the privilege of hosting the Olympic Games, and in South America, this is an honour that we want to share for the first time. We are not only passionate about hosting the Olympic Games, but also committed to excellence and making our country, our continent, and the Olympic Family proud.

“A Brazilian Games will drive the continuing social transformation of Rio and our nation, but it will also open up new markets to the Olympic Movement. We want a Rio Games to serve as a bridge from London 2012 to Rio 2016, from Europe to South America, passing the baton to pursue the mission of inspiring young people all around the world.

“2016 can be an historic decision for the IOC to embrace a new part of the world to inspire the youth of a passionate region and to bring change that will strengthen our beloved Olympic Movement.”

Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, said:

“Last year, all levels of our government and the Brazilian Olympic Committee worked together to deliver the greatest Pan American Games in history. We built the foundation of intergovernmental cooperation that has changed our system forever. We united the city, state and federal governments as never before. We built joint structures, unified commands, and we learned. Now we know even more about where to allocate our resources, what are the special little things that can make a difference, to create truly great Games.

“Together, we delivered a safe, secure, and successful continental Games. We established a legacy of Olympic level venues, a workforce with the knowledge, ability, and a desire to host an amazing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I stand here today on behalf of President Lula of Brazil. He has charged me with uniting all three levels of government. In these challenging times, Brazil’s economy is among the strongest in the world, and we will deliver the Games and all of the guarantees required without qualification.

“It is the right time for Rio, for Brazil, and for South America. We are ready. We are committed. And, I hope that you will make the historic choice in Copenhagen. Yes we can”.

Carlos Osório, Secretary General of the Rio 2016 bid and the Brazilian Olympic Committee, said:

“Our plan for 2016 builds upon the work already done for the Pan Am Games. We invested almost 2 billion US dollars for these games. With the new venues and our current plans for the Olympic Training Centre we will only have to build our X-Park for a Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Brazil is the 10th largest economy in the world and the World Bank predicts that we will be the 5th largest by 2016.

“Brazil is the world’s 7th largest entrepreneur market, 6th in cell phones, 5th in PCs, 3rd producer of commercial jets, and we are also the 3rd largest market for Coca-Cola and very important to every TOP sponsor.

“We have the largest urban forest in the world and it is only a couple of kilometers from our main venue cluster.

“Brazil has the most biodiversity on the planet and we harness water to deliver 75% of all energy used in our country.

“We are also a young and sporting nation. Brazil is home to 65 million people under the age of 18. Add this to the 180 million young people living throughout South America, and we can assure you that a Games in Rio would connect with youth in our country and across our continent and bring their enthusiasm to Olympic sports for decades to come”.

Janeth Arcain, Basketball Olympic medalist and World Champion, said:

“As an athlete and founder of an organization that helps young people into sport I think Brazil would be the best place for the 2016 Games.

“The athletes will live in a central location and will be able to support each other without sacrifice to training time because all events will take place in the city.

“During my career, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in four Olympic Games — in North America, Oceania and twice in Europe and I would not trade those experiences for anything — except to be able to do it all again in Rio de Janeiro.

“You have heard that we Brazilians are a passionate people and it is true. We are also diverse made up of many communities from all over the world.

“We will give every athlete a special welcome and make all the world’s athletes hometown favourites”.

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