(ATR) For the first time in recent Games, a head of state takes part in the traditional invitation ceremony held on the one year mark to the Summer Olympics.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff joined IOC President Thomas Bach, Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes, Rio 2016 Coordination Commission chair Nawal El Mouwatakel, and Brazilian sports minister George Hilton in the August 5 ceremony in Rio de Janeiro inviting athletes from a record number of NOCs to the Games.
Since 2012, Kosovo and South Sudan have been accepted as full members of the IOC. Both countries expect to send athletes to Rio, meaning all 206 NOCs will participate in the 2016 Olympics.
Rousseff welcomed the world to the first South American Olympics, and praised the efforts of the organizing committee and the city government.
Thomas Bach echoed the sentiments of Rousseff saying "there is no doubt the world will see a great Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro."
"The athletes will be enchanted by the warmth of the people, and vibrant, diverse moments," Bach said.
"This will be Brazil’s Olympic Games in the Cidade Maravilhosa. The eyes of the entire world will be on Brazil. Rio will seem like the center of the universe.
"These Games will leave a legacy that generations to come will use. You, the people and leaders of Brazil must determine the legacy you want to live."
Leaders from the Brazil, China, Greece, Korea Republic, Japan, and Russian NOCs received invitations from Bach and El Moutawakel to represent sending out the invitations to all NOCs.
The NOCs were chosen because of their part in the 2014-2022 Olympic Games, with Greece representing the birthplace of the ancient and modern Olympic Games.
During the ceremony, Rousseff correctly pointed out that there are 366 days until the Games, given that 2016 is a leap year containing an extra day. Bach said that the ceremony should be used as a day of rest, and that everyone will go back to working hard the next day to finish necessary preparations.
Rio 2016 will continue one year to go celebrations through Aug. 9, with test events in rowing and equestrian and the first phase of the cultural marathon.
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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