(ATR) A source close to the situation tells Around the Rings that any shakeup in the Brazilian sports ministry will not affect Olympics preparations.
On March 18, the Brazilian Republican Party released a statement saying that Sports Minister George Hilton had tendered his resignation. The previous day the PRB voted to break away from the ruling coalition government in Brazil.
Shortly after the announcement, George Hilton said he had switched parties in an effort to continue his work as minister. Hilton joined the newly formed Republican Party of Social Order (PROS) to keep his ministerial position.
"I understand that at this time, we, who work in public life, must strive towards undoing conflicts, prevent injustice and work hard for democratic normality and the soundness of national institutions," Hilton said in his statement. "I understand that the mission in these dark days involves supporting the government of President Dilma Rousseff, elected by the majority of the Brazilian people in a clean and regular election.
The source confirmed to ATR that Hilton is still minister, although they could not speculate how long Hilton would remain in his position given the fluidity of the political situation in Brazil.
"The minister is a political position," the source said. "There are no changes in technical bodies. Everybody involved in Olympic preparations will remain in the same position."
Replacing a sports minister ahead of the Games is not unprecedented. After the 2010 national British elections, Hugh Robertson assumed the role of Minister for Sport and Olympics with two years remaining until the Games.
They added that if Hilton were to be replaced before the 2016 Games, it would not change the continuing efforts in Rio de Janeiro. Hilton assumed the role of Brazilian Sports Minister in December 2014 with less than two years to go until the Olympic Games.
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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