(ATR) Rio de Janeiro 2016 chiefs say London is their inspiration as they set out to prepare security and infrastructure for the first Olympics to be held in South America.
“London was our inspiration during the bid and will continue to be our inspiration as organizers of the Olympic Games,” said Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman in London Friday after meeting with 2012 chair Sebastian Coe. Nuzman was joined on the fact-finding mission by Brazil Minister of Sport Orlando Silva and Rio de Janeiro State Governor Sergio Cabral.
They toured the Olympic Park and will also compare notes with Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, in power when London won the Games in 2005.
Speaking to Around the Rings, Cabral and Silva both delivered assurances that crime will not be an issue for the Olympics, despite the city’s reputation and an estimated one million inhabitants living in shanty towns.
Cabral says the visit two weeks ago by the IOC Coordination Commission encountered no evidence of crime or violence.
“This will be a legacy for us. Two weeks ago I put forward a $50m infrastructure package for Rio,” said Cabral.
Through an interpreter Silva added: “The government has a $300minfrastructure acceleration program to improve the energy supply and the roads. In March, President Lula will announce a second phase of this, concentrated on the larger cities.
“Rio is being dealt with in a more delicate way, with a special project of improvements for the favelas,” said Silva.
Nuzman will head to Vancouver for the Olympic Winter Games next month, where he will gather more information and advice. He said he has learned from Coe that teamwork is key.
“It’s clear that sport is leading the organizing committee in London,” Nuzman said.
“It’s so important to have integration between the organizing committee and the government. This develops a legacy. We want to create a good Olympic Games and then the legacy can be felt by our people.”
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Written by Adrian Hill.
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