Rio-2016 News

[danfla]

Sorry for google translator

IOC visit Maracanã

Commission inspection also checks other infrastructure stocks held in Rio de Janeiro, as the lines of the BRT Transcarioca

The coordination committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the Olympics, which is making an inspection trip to Rio de Janeiro, seen up close on Wednesday the progress of the reform of the Maracana stadium. The group also gave the start of construction for the establishment of BRT lines and other infrastructure activities in the city. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, is following the entire path of the visit, and at night, will offer a dinner for the delegation at his home.

By morning, the visit focused on the Barra da Tijuca and Jacarepagua. The first stop of the delegation was at the construction site of the loon Avenida Ayrton Senna, where will the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) from Transcarioca. The second stop was at Rio Treatment Unit (RTU) Creek Fund in the studied area. During the visit, the mayor announced that another four RTUs will be built in the region.

- By 2016, the major rivers entering the lakes Bar and Jacarepaguá will be treated to that for identical units. The UTR Creek Fund has been operational since December 2010 - said the mayor

Then the commission went to the Maracana stadium. There IOC members gave closely the work of reform of the stadium. Then went to the Operations Center of Rio de Janeiro.

Are still in the script visits a school and Sambadrome in Santa Teresa, which is being fully renovated to receive athletes. On Thursday at a news conference, the group released the ratings of what was observed.

After the tour of inspection by the city, which is scheduled to finish around 18h, the commission will be received by Eduardo Paes, at his home for dinner.

IOC praises commitment to athletes and social legacy for 2016

For three days, the group attended lectures and did surveys in Rio de Janeiro. College of Santa Teresa and housing program called the attention

In his second official visit to Rio de Janeiro, the coordination committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) liked what he saw. After a week of talks and inspections, they said they were especially pleased with the commitment to the athletes and the legacy the 2016 Games. A school in Santa Teresa, recently fully renovated to receive athletes, and the housing program were the ones that attracted the most attention.

- The work done regarding the legacy and athletes was very well received. The commitment from the athletes became clear in the presentations on the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The wish that the Games leave a lasting and positive legacy was obvious. The example was the new school opened in sport and the Olympic education program that will now be part of schools throughout the city. And also the program of social housing, where some units will be used for the Games before being passed to local residents. This will undoubtedly be an important element in the legacy of 2016 - says the entity, in a statement.

The commission also said he was impressed with the quality of labor hired to work on the project.

- A year ago we visited the river and are pleased with the amount of work has already begun. They have solid experience in all levels of government and played an important role, allowing the progress we have seen during this week and will be key elements for success in the future - said the president's entourage, Nawal El Moutawakel.

The group visits the host city once a year until four years prior to the event, in this case, London-2012. Thereafter, inspections are to occur once a semester. The meetings with the spheres of government are supplemented by project review by smaller teams, involving some members of the IOC selected and technicians, as happened in April.

[DannyelBrazil]

Transcription of Nawal El Moutawakel first words in the speech in Rio:

"Besides being a fantastic event, highlighting the famous Rio as a vibrant tourist destination and fun, I would also like to congratulate Mayor Paes and his team for their impressive logistical operation performed in the New Year party in terms of crowd control, security, cleaning and waste management.

Within hours, Copacabana was back to its original state."

[gotosy]

Head of Rio Olympic committee hospitalized

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The president of the Rio 2016 Olympic organizing committee has been hospitalized after suffering from heart problems.

Rio's Olympic committee said in a statement Wednesday that Carlos Arthur Nuzman checked himself into a hospital late Tuesday after a routine health exam showed an abnormal heart rhythm.

Detailed exams on Wednesday showed Nuzman's rhythm normalized and he was expected to leave the intensive care unit Thursday. He was likely to be released from the hospital on Friday.

Nuzman led Brazil's bid to host the 2016 Olympics, which will be held in South America for the first time.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2011-06-15-961081757_x.htm

[Golan Trevize]

Too much picanha, fried bananas and caipirinhas are bad to your heart

[danfla]

Google Translator

Henrique Meirelles is as official government representative in the APO (Public Olympic Authority)

Former president of the Central Bank had accepted the invitation in March

After the publication of the decree in the Official Gazette on Friday, Henrique Meirelles, former president of the Central Bank was chartered as the representative of the federal government in the Political Council of Olympic Public Authority (PDB), which govern the actions related to Olympic Games Rio-2016. He had accepted the invitation in March, shortly after the Senate approval of the APO. The information is the newspaper "O Estado de Sao Paulo."

The appointment of Meirelles's participation depended on the consent of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in the APO consortium, comprised of federal, state and municipal levels. The City Council voted to approve in early June. The APO will be responsible for coordinating the government bodies involved in organizing the Games, conduct technical studies, implement and manage the works, sign contracts, acquire property and equipment and care for the protection of image rights and related marks the event.

The installation of the consortium now depends on the regulations. The government is considering to set assignments for an interim measure or bill.

[gotosy]

Former Brazilian Minister of Cities to head Olympic Public Authority

11:03, July 06, 2011

The former Brazilian Minister of Cities Marcio Fortes was named on Tuesday the head of the Olympic Public Authority for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, after participating in a debate with the Senate's Economic Affairs Committee.

Fortes was nominated on June 21 by president Dilma Rousseff, since the former Central Bank president Henrique Meirelles, who had been nominated previously, will head the Superior Council of the Olympic Public Authority. 'In the debate with Brazilian senators on Tuesday morning, Fortes said errors and delays in the preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2016 are "unacceptable".

Fortes also said his experience in the Ministry of Cities would help a lot in the new mission.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7431042.html

[TorchbearerAA]

Today, during the report of Rio de Janeiro 2016, to the IOC session, one of the IOC Members asked about the seating capacity of the Joao Havelange stadium.

The IOC Member was concerned by the seating capacity of 65,000 because now for the London Olympics there were 1 million requests for the 100 meters athletics and many for the ceremonies. He asked if the stadium could be increased.

Guzman answerred that first the plan was from 41,000 to 60,000 temporary. But now they want 60,000 permanent and they are going to research a possible increase to 80,000 temporary for the Games. That's no guarantee for the final number of seats however, only guarantee for a research.

[danfla]

Google translator

Works for the 2016 Games are ahead of schedule established by the IOC

More than $ 10 billion are invested in interventions that will be the legacy for the state's population

The Rio de Janeiro prepares to host the 2016 Games, and the State Government is working to deliver improvements in transport infrastructure integration and mobility within the deadline. The expansion of the subway to Barra da Tijuca, with Line 4, the modernization and construction of corridors metroferroviário expressed are some that are ahead of schedule established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and will be the legacy for population. In the field, will invest more than $ 10 billion.

The construction of Line 4, one of the most important projects for the locals, were approved by members of the Olympic Committee, who visited in April and gave the line the drilling of almost 900 meters in the rock towards the South Zone the next two months will be initiated the massive explosions in the Barra de São Conrado. The interventions of the line 14 kilometers long, which follow at a rapid pace, will be delivered on December 15, 2015.

- We are ahead of schedule for the Olympics and also for the World Cup. Line 4 - the intervention more complex and demand more resources and executive - is ahead in thirty days. The goal of the governor, Sergio Cabral is to keep the pace until the end of all the works, said Transportation Secretary Julio Lopes.

With the new line, the locals and spectators of the Olympics will take 35 minutes from downtown Rio to the bar to watch the games of most disputes. Line 4 will have six stations, passing through the neighborhoods of São Conrado, Gávea, Leblon and Ipanema. Through this expansion, the subway of Rio 230 000 can carry more passengers per day. The works and purchase of equipment will cost $ 5 billion.

In Ipanema, in the south, the stations are Canterbury and General Osório some major improvements in the subway system for the games that benefit the population. Another important work was the link-Pavuna Botafogo. The lines will facilitate the shift to local competitions where some of the 2016 Games will be held, such as Copacabana, Maracana and Diodorus.

New trains

The restructuring of the subway and rail systems are also among the main actions of the Department of Transportation. To offer more comfort and flexibility to over 600,000 daily users of the subway, the state bought 114 modern cars. The equipment, which total 19 trains, increase the fleet by 63% by 2012 and meet the demands of another major sporting event happening in the city, the 2014 World Cup. The Rio Metro will invest $ 1.15 billion in improvements.

- By 2016, the railway system in the metropolitan area, which has 98 stations in 11 municipalities, will be expanded through funds in the amount of $ 2.4 billion. Thirty-four new trains are being manufactured in China. The first composition should arrive in Rio in September. A new bid has also secured the purchase of another 60 cars, with a loan of $ 600 million. 191 trains will be operational by the World Cup - said Lopes.

Transit faster

The works are also accessibility to the schedule on time. In partnership with the city of Rio de Janeiro, four lanes will be constructed of cast buses, BRT: Avenida Brazil, which will connect downtown Rio to the Baixada Fluminense TransCarioca corridor between the bar, and Peña Madureira; Transoeste, shortening the path Barra da Tijuca to Campo Grande, and TransOlímpica connected Barra, Curicica and Diodorus.

Reformation Station

Besides the purchase of new vehicles, the State in the upgrading and modernization of subway and train stations. Work on the new station on Line 1, the Uruguayan, are in full swing and should be completed within thirty months. The fourth stop of the subway in Tijuca and the 36th season of the system will be 1.100 meters of Saens Peña and be the first to have central air conditioning. About 20 000 users will model the station daily.

Department of Transportation will also invest in sustainability

The works of equipment that will support the Olympic Games are not the only government priorities. The entire bus fleet of the state system will be adapted to an eco-friendly by 2016. Sustainability goals are being studied by the Department of Transportation, which created the Rio Sustainable Transportation Program, responsible for testing of green fuels such as biodiesel, and the state of cycling, which encourages transit use as a means of locomotion.

[Rafa]

Today, during the report of Rio de Janeiro 2016, to the IOC session, one of the IOC Members asked about the seating capacity of the Joao Havelange stadium.

The IOC Member was concerned by the seating capacity of 65,000 because now for the London Olympics there were 1 million requests for the 100 meters athletics and many for the ceremonies. He asked if the stadium could be increased.

Guzman answerred that first the plan was from 41,000 to 60,000 temporary. But now they want 60,000 permanent and they are going to research a possible increase to 80,000 temporary for the Games. That's no guarantee for the final number of seats however, only guarantee for a research.

It is possible.

[Rob2012]

Today, during the report of Rio de Janeiro 2016, to the IOC session, one of the IOC Members asked about the seating capacity of the Joao Havelange stadium.

The IOC Member was concerned by the seating capacity of 65,000 because now for the London Olympics there were 1 million requests for the 100 meters athletics and many for the ceremonies. He asked if the stadium could be increased.

Guzman answerred that first the plan was from 41,000 to 60,000 temporary. But now they want 60,000 permanent and they are going to research a possible increase to 80,000 temporary for the Games. That's no guarantee for the final number of seats however, only guarantee for a research.

If they can do it, that's great, but they shouldn't be forced into making the increase, with all te extra costs and potential legacy problems that go with that. This wasn't a problem for the IOC last October when Rio was chosen, so it oughtn't be now.

If we are going up to 80k though, why not then have the ceremonies there as well?

[danfla]

This pictures of the stadium is not real, if im not mistaken the expansion for 80k includes temporary seats, and a roof on the North and South seats.

[DannyelBrazil]

If they can do it, that's great, but they shouldn't be forced into making the increase, with all te extra costs and potential legacy problems that go with that. This wasn't a problem for the IOC last October when Rio was chosen, so it oughtn't be now.

If we are going up to 80k though, why not then have the ceremonies there as well?

Maracana is expected to be somewhere between 84,000 and 90,000 after World Cup ends... It's still bigger than Joao Havelange and also have the "sentimental"-media thing.

And for broadcast Maracana brings more appeal (Christ near, famous name, etc, etc, etc).

But no doubts, Joao Havelange got great with all those light in World Military Games opening! =]

[danfla]

Google translator

Close to reaching goal of sponsorship, London 2012 sees Rio with broader appeal.

British capital wants to achieve £ 700 million (about R$ 1.760 billion), while games in Brazil would have raised about R$ 1.1 billion

The London Olympics in 2012 are close to reaching the target of £ 700 million (about R$ 1.760 billion) in sponsorships. Organising Committee Chief Executive Paul Deighton believes the number should be achieved in the coming weeks and that the Games of Rio de Janeiro in 2016, will raise even more significant values. The information is the newspaper "Financial Times".

So far, the British have 41 national sponsors (including two for the Paralympic Games) and 11 international partners, whose agreements were negotiated with the International Olympic Committee. While the country suffered from the downturn in recent years, developing economies such as Brazil, have grown. And this prosperity must also be reflected in the event. Until now. US$ 700 million (approximately R$ 1.1 billion) have been collected in only four trade agreements.

- We are experiencing economic vitality in terms of opportunity and growth. Another key point is that games are the first in South America, the first in Brazil, and we can offer sponsors the opportunity to associate with the first - said the commercial director of Rio 2016, Maggie Sanchez, told the English periodical.

Chief executive of a consulting business, Tim Crow attributes the success of the event in Brazil to the ability of the local committee in the event the contract value and strength of the BRIC group of the country, as well as Russia, India and China.

- The Games have become, over the years, a good deal. There is much exchange of information between the committees and sponsors with knowledge of the IOC. If you go to one of the BRIC economies, you get this kind of numbers. When the event return to the smaller economies, we see these numbers go back to what we might call "normal."

[gotosy]

USOC: Probst and Blackmun visit Rio 2016 to learn more about the Olympic plan

TAMPA/RIO: USOC chief Larry Probst together with the secretary general, Scott Blackmun and international relations director, Carolina Bayon, just completed a two day visit to Rio de Janeiro to view firsthand the city’s works in progress of the Rio 2016 Games.

Rio 2016 president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, welcomed the USOC team and took them on site visits and delivered a briefing about the Rio Games concept and overall layout.

Nuzman said, “I am pleased that with five years to go to the Olympic Games we could show our friends from the USOC the progress we have already accomplished. We are looking forward to collaborating with them through our preparations and welcoming the United States athletes in 2016.”

On the first day they had meetings at the OCOG offices and were briefed on the vision for the Games, the legacy projects as well as the Olympic village and the commercial program.

USOC chief Probst noted, “This trip was a unique opportunity for us to see all that the Rio 2016 team has accomplished in the two short years since their selection. I’d like to congratulate Carlos and his staff for the extraordinary job they’ve done and thank them for their gracious hospitality. The Games are in good hands.”

The USOC bid Chicago in the bid race for the 2016 Olympics which ultimately went to Rio to host the first South American Games. The visit could be to better understand the Rio offer for the Games in case the USOC is considering jumping into the 2020 bid race.

http://www.sportsfeatures.com/olympicsnews/story/49028/usoc-probst-and-blackmun-visit-rio-2016-to-learn-more-about-the-olympic-plan

[Rafa]

Cape Town meets Rio Olympic Organizers

30 Aug 2011 11:01Submit a commentBizLike

Calvyn Gilfellan, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU) will meet this week with Leonardo Gryner, CEO of Rio's 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games as part of a marketing drive in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Before this meeting, where Gilfellan will share the marketing lessons learnt through South Africa's successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he will represent the destination at the SAA Sao Paulo Tourism Workshop and the Visit SA Expo in Buenos Aires.

"It is crucial that we maintain the top-of-mind awareness in the South American market made possible by the World Cup. The number of Brazilians to our destination increased by almost 70% from 15 580 in 2009 to 26 340 in 2010. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and must maximise our efforts in developing markets like these," he says.

"International marketing platforms are opportunities to touch base with tour operators to find out what their customers are looking for, so that we can position ourselves better and consequently draw more tourists from South America to our destination.

"Before and during the World Cup, Cape Town and the Western Cape hosted various Brazilian delegations, which came to see how we were preparing to host the world for the biggest sports spectacular. Various initiatives, like the highly successful Casa "little" Brazil, will be exported and translated into the Brazilian context when that country hosts both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games in 2016. It is a real privilege for us to share our knowledge and experience with our Brazilian compatriots. We wish them all the best as they too make history preparing to host these two mega-events," he concludes.

[Texas]

Brazil denies terrorism within its borders:

http://news.yahoo.com/brazil-denies-terrorists-operate-within-borders-143644491.html;_ylt=AtFCYYeKnznrN0_YishEfDO3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTRjanN1ZXFqBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSAgV29ybGRTRiBMYXRpbkFtZXJpY2FTU0YEcGtnA2E4MmZjZWI0LTQzZmMtM2Y1Yy1iYWEwLWMzNDkwNWY5ODRjZQRwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDNDM5ZWNlYWMtZDY5ZS0xMWUwLTliMmQtNzhlN2QxNWU5MWYy;_ylg=X3oDMTI3Z2FpbDN0BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN3b3JsZHxsYXRpbiBhbWVyaWNhBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Khaled Hussein Ali lives in Sao Paulo and allegedly works for al-Qaida. But this does not mean he is a terrorist.

In fact, no one in Brazil is considered a terrorist.

Even as the world has cracked down hard on terror, some countries have refrained from adopting anti-terror laws. Their stance has racked up consternation at a time when terrorism is a global concern, especially with Brazil now set to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

"Officially, Brazil does not have terrorism inside its borders," wrote Lisa Kubiske, then the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Brasilia, in an August 2009 cable released by WikiLeaks. "In reality, several Islamic groups with known or suspected ties to extremist organizations have branches in Brazil and are suspected of carrying out financing activities."

Several countries in Latin America resist anti-terror laws because they still hold fresh memories of state dictatorships that killed or spirited away thousands of political opponents in the 1970s and 80s.

"These are places that had civil wars ... where the country ripped itself to pieces trying to fight terrorist organizations," said Princeton law professor Kim Lane Scheppele, who studies the global war on terror. "Once they got out of it and managed to put in place a democratic system, they said 'never again.'"

Countries such as Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina only recently adopted weakened versions of anti-terror laws focused on money laundering, to avoid being blacklisted by the world's financial system. Just one suspect in Argentina has been prosecuted under these laws to date.

In Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff was herself arrested and tortured for her militancy against the military dictatorship from 1964 and 1985; former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was arrested by the same regime, and Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the president before him, was exiled for his activism.

The lack of political will to go hard on terrorism is frustrating to American officials, as is suggested in cables released by WikiLeaks. For example, Brazil does not consider Hezbollah, Hamas or the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia as terrorist organizations.

"The Government of Brazil remains highly sensitive to public claims suggesting that terrorist or extremist organizations have a presence or are undertaking activities in Brazil," said one cable sent in 2008 by former Ambassador Clifford Sobel.

A U.S. official at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia declined to talk on the record.

Brazil's stance on terrorism is reflected in the case of Ali, a Lebanese-born resident of Brazil.

In 2009, the FBI contacted Brazilian federal police about Ali. He appeared to live a quiet life, running an Internet cafe to support his Brazilian wife and daughter. But Ali was also broadcasting anti-American content in Arabic from a password-protected website and could be connected to a terrorist group, federal prosecutor Ana Leticia Absy told the AP in a statement.

Ali was arrested in April on hate speech charges and held for the maximum 21 days. The contents of his computers were investigated, but he wasn't found to be a high risk. So he was released, Absy said, in May 2009.

Alexandre Cassettari, the Sao Paulo federal judge who authorized his release, said in a statement that Ali didn't have a criminal record and his influence and control were being monitored. He is still being prosecuted on charges of racism, racketeering, and inciting criminal activity.

Later that year, the head of the Brazilian Federal Police's intelligence division alleged during a Congressional hearing that Ali was linked to al-Qaida. In that deposition he concluded that Ali "was the global head of the Jihad Media Battalion and had performed duties for the terrorist group, ranging from propaganda, to logistics, recruitment, and other activities."

Government officials, however, continue to deny the presence of alleged terrorists in the country.

The irony is that Brazil's winning bid in 2009 for the Olympics was based in part on a pitch for the country as untouched by international terrorism.

"We don't have attacks, we don't have bombs," then-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said at the time.

[danfla]

Arrgh is discusting when some americans politicians believe that they know more about a subject in another country than even the natives...There is no simple definition for terrorism, the american definition for terrorism is not the brazilian one, and despite (some) americans believes, this doesnt mean that the brazilian definition is wrong. Each country definition of terrorism depends on what they are trying to delegitimize or demoralize. Lula or Dilma were terrorist? Well, untill today Fernando Gabeira, a famous politician of the green party in Brazil, is prohibit to enter in the US because he is a "terrorist" for the white house. If Brasil really dont consider Hamas a terrorist group, i agree to this policy, Hamas is a political party, i didnt agree with Hamas actions in the past but this actions were no different than "oficial" actions made by americans, or Israel, or Russia, or even Brasil in some ocasions inside and outisde of theirs territories.

[Texas]

I'm sure that Brazil will have mass security to assure the safety of all Westerners during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics. Even they know that not having mass security at those two events would damage the country's reputation. Both of those events will have large numbers of Westerners involved: ranging from athletes, to media to fans to officials.

[mr_one]

It is possible.

OWWWW, I loved this picture. But I think it will be very similar to Sydney Olympic Stadium

[DannyelBrazil]

I'm sure that Brazil will have mass security to assure the safety of all Westerners during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics. Even they know that not having mass security at those two events would damage the country's reputation. Both of those events will have large numbers of Westerners involved: ranging from athletes, to media to fans to officials.

We hope so.

[barrack]

I'm sure that Brazil will have mass security to assure the safety of all Westerners during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics. Even they know that not having mass security at those two events would damage the country's reputation. Both of those events will have large numbers of Westerners involved: ranging from athletes, to media to fans to officials.

I have no doubt that Rio and Brazil will ensure a safe Olympics and World cup, but they will be sure to protect *all* visitors, not just Westerners.

I'm sure that Brazil will have mass security to assure the safety of all Westerners during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics. Even they know that not having mass security at those two events would damage the country's reputation. Both of those events will have large numbers of Westerners involved: ranging from athletes, to media to fans to officials.

I have no doubt that Brasil and Rio will host an exciting and safe World Cup and Olympics. However, let's just be clear that they will be concerned for the safety of all their visitors, not just Westerners.

[gotosy]

Rio says self-sufficient for 2016 Games

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 21 - Rio de Janeiro does not need foreign funding to stage the 2016 Games after abandoning plans to launch "Olympic bonds" worth $2 billion to help finance infrastructure projects, the city's new Olympics czar said on Wednesday.

Maria Silvia Bastos Marques, a former steel company executive who took up her new post in August, said the city was focusing on forming partnerships with private firms to complete stadium and transport improvements needed for Brazil's first Olympics.

"Looking at our projects, I don't see any need for any foreign funding. We have funding from the city Treasury and the federal government," she told Reuters in an interview.

"It's partly because the world isn't in a good moment -- capturing funds overseas is a little more complicated the way things are," she added, referring to the financial and economic malaise in the developed world.

The city's government said at the start of this year that 10 banks were interested in participating in Olympic bonds, but legal changes needed to approve the plan ran into bureaucratic hurdles.

Among the Olympic projects already in motion, the overhaul of the city's port area and the Sambadrome, a parade area known as the stadium of Samba, are being financed privately.

The Olympic village and the Olympic Park, where most events will be held, are expected to be constructed through public-private partnerships.

Work to expand the city's subway system and build new rapid-bus expressways to ease congestion are also underway.

WORK PRAISED

Rio's early Olympic work has been praised by the International Olympic Committee, in contrast to its lagging preparations for the 2014 World Cup that have been criticised by soccer's world governing body FIFA.

Marques said the city did not plan to take advantage of a new law passed by Congress that allowed for bidding processes to be streamlined -- a change that has been criticised as opening the way for overspending and corruption.

"The city is ahead of its timetable and delivering projects ahead of time," she said.

Rio bid officials originally said the 2016 Olympics would cost a total of 23 billion reais ($12.8 billion).

Marques said the figure would change because of various alterations to Rio's plans since it won the bid in 2009, adding that a new total should be released by the end of this year.

Reuters

[gotosy]

Sweden and Brazil sign technical cooperation agreement

TAMPA/RIO: Following a two day visit to Rio the Swedish NOC has signed an agreement with Games organizers for technical exchanges between the two countries for Olympic sports development.

The Swedish NOC was represented by president Stefan Lindeberg, IOC executive board member and secretary general Gunilla Lindberg, and sports directors, Peter Reinebo and Glenn Östh.

Gunilla Lindberg also serves on the IOC coordination commission overseeing the Rio 2016 preparations.

The accord foresees that Brazil and Sweden will work together for bilateral and multilateral competitions, talent development, and exchanges of staff, coaches, seminars for referees and researchers, courses and consulting, and meetings to discover mutual interests.

Rio 2016 president and head of the Brazilian NOC, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, said, “We are very happy with the signing of this agreement. Brazil and Sweden can make significant contributions to sport, and I am confident Olympic sport in both countries now counts on an excellent resource to further the development of high performance sport.”

Lindberg said, “We look forward to a long term partnership, so that we can have Brazilian athletes come to Sweden because I think we can help each other in different sports. I think we match very well together in the sports we are good at, so we can learn a lot from each other in this close cooperation between the NOCs.”

...

Stefan Lindeberg, added, “We had two fantastic days here, travelling around the city, getting to know the different venues, meeting the people who are organising everything – and is really inspiring to be here. We are looking forward to getting here together with our athletes. We love Rio."

http://www.sportsfeatures.com/olympicsnews/story/49100/nocs-sweden-and-brazil-sign-technical-cooperation-agreement

[gotosy]

Two years from the day that Rio was chosen the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Two years ago, thousands of people foregathered, in Brazil, to cheer for Rio’s bid victory as the host city of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In Copenhagen, a team, also made of Brazilians, awaited anxiously for the announcement of Jacques Rogge, International Olympic Committee President.

And, finally, the sign was turned. And Rio de Janeiro was chosen. And Brazil won the chance of hosting the greatest sporting event in the world. Because of that, Brazil could bring the Games to the South America for the first time.

Check out below the Official Notice from Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Rio 2016™ Organising Committee President, two years after the victory.

October 2, 2009: a day that went down in history

Two years ago, Rio de Janeiro and Brazil won another historical date in its calendar: the day that we conquered the right of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time.

Because this milestone deserves to be valued, I make a point of starting my presentations concerning the theme with the video that recalls this unprecedented achievement.

That day, the efforts of a decade ended up turning into reality the dream of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the country. Today, we are making progress in order to deliver memorable Games. And recollecting the October 2, 2009, is to reinforce in each one of us the motivation of contributing to the deliverance of successful Games, generating sustainable changes.

Today, we celebrate that turning point in the history of the Brazilian sport. Having this spirit in mind, I invite you all to remember the feelings of that day and to celebrate that moment, which is an achievement of everyone.

Greetings,

Carlos Arthur Nuzman

RIO 2016

[hiroamorim]

Ric Birch win the concurse for opening ceremony...

news coming.....