Rio 2016 Sailing Venue Environmental Project Begins

An event marking the start of another environmental project for Rio de Janeiro's 2016 Summer Olympic Games bid was held Monday, attended by the Minister of the Environment Carlos Minc, the Governor of Rio Sergio Cabral, Rio's Mayor Eduardo Paes, and the State of Rio's Environment Secretary Marilene Ramos.

The project involves recovering and revitalizing the Canal do Fundao, a part of Guanabara Bay, one of the first sights those arriving in Rio via Tom Jobim International Airport will see.

The two-year project involves dredging 6.5 km of channels to facilitate the circulation of water, sanitation works, bridge strengthening and other improvements to urban infrastructure.

According to a Rio de Janeiro press release, it's one of the most important projects within the Guanabara Bay Clean-up Program. The bay is the venue for the sailing competitions if Rio is chosen the host of the 2016 Summer Games.

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