In Malaysia

Hello again!

Rio 2016 is at the 12th "Sport for All" conference, where more than 600 participants from around the world are gathered in Genting, Malaysia, from 3-6 November. The event focuses on the needs of young people and the challenges of aging populations, as well as sport’s contributions to social justice, the impact of new technologies and initiatives of the national Olympic committees.

On Tuesday, we had the great pleasure of presenting our School Olympics project, which is based on sport, education and culture as tools for social transformation. We raised awareness of the School Olympics with a specially-produced video and presentation. As we were trumpeting the first competition in Poços de Caldas (Minas Gerais), which involved than 2,800 athletes aged 12 to 14, the city of João Pessoa (Paraíba) was preparing to host more than 3,200 participants in the second event for 15 to 17 year olds.

The Rio 2016 commission is represented in Genting by Christiane Paquelet, Mario Cilenti, Edgar Hubner and Patrícia Kowalewiski.

Good News from Guadalajara!

We will be in Guadalajara until tomorrow, participating in the Youth World Boxing Championships. This inaugural event aims to increase interest in the sport among young people, and to spread the importance of Olympic Values, one of the goals of the Rio 2016 bid. The competition is being attended by 359 new athletes from 68 countries. Events of this type are always enriching as we have the opportunity to exchange new ideas and learn from our colleagues around the world.

We have spoken with representatives of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA), and with some famous names in boxing. There is a great curiosity about our bid and that is making all the difference. We have been sought out by competitors who want to know the details of our 2007 Rio Pan American Games experience and what we are presenting in our plans for Rio 2016.

The organizing committee of this Guadalajara championship is the same that will organize the 2011 Pan American Games. This current event is considered a test run. The new López Mateos Arena can hold 3,450 spectators and will host artistic and rhythmic gymnastics competitions during the next Pan American Games.

Pelé is back in Mexico to take part in Rio 2016 Campaign Presentation

The King of football arrived in Acapulco, on Friday, to join our team. Three-time world champion with the Brazilian football team in Mexico 1970 Pelé is to take part in the first official presentation of Rio de Janeiro’s campaign to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Rio’s project details will be presented to PASO General Assembly next Saturday.

“I won an important victory in Mexico with football and I’m sure we are on the way to making history again. We are united and working hard to bring the Olympic Games to South America for the first time. Our time has come and I really believe in this project. I travel a lot and I know that people love Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. We will welcome everybody in 2016 with great joy, but also with excellent infrastructure”, Pelé said.

The second day

At the opening session of the second day of the VI World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture, in Busan, South Korea, IOC Committee chairman Mr. Zhenliang He underlined the message that sport aims at youth physical, mental and social education.

Mr. Essar Gabriel, who is heading the Youth Olympic Games, presented the basic concept of the first edition of the event, to be held in Singapore, in 2010. The mission of the JOJ is to educate and encourage youths to take part in sport and play an active role in their communities. In this context, the Olympic values should act as catalysts of sport, cultural and educational efforts.

The Youth Olympic Games are not only intended to bring the best young athletes together, but also to reach communities all over the world while sharing and celebrating the different cultures from around the world in a festive atmosphere. The event is also targeted at presenting a powerful introduction to Olympism, increasing sport awareness and youth participation.

The Youth Olympic Games will have a 4-year Olympic cycle and will count on the participation of athletes aged 14-18 years. Non-athlete participation (officials, journalists, organizers, etc.) will also be encouraged. A total of approximately 3,500 competitors and 875 official teams will take part in the event.

Sport, Education and Culture

The Rio 2016 commission was proud to be present at the official opening of the VI World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture, in Busan, South Korea, which took place on Thursday 25 September. Organized by the International Olympic Committee in partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the event is considered highly important by Rio 2016. The theme is clearly a top priority, given that our bid is based on social transformation through sport, education and culture. The 2016 Rio Commission is here in Busan to participate, learn and exchange ideas at this crucial time in which we finalize our plans for Rio’s Candidature File.

On the opening day, Lambis Nikolau, IOC Vice President, spoke of the importance of the world’s youth, and the youth of the next generation, for the future of the Olympic Movement. The IOC’s new campaign, whose slogan is “Sport brings out the best in you,” is designed to stimulate young people to practice more sport and live healthily.

Afterwards, Zhenliang He, member of the IOC Executive Committee, introduced the main theme of the event – “Sport and Education for the now generation” – and emphasized the importance of sport in building cultural identities and celebrating diversity. He argued that the Olympic Values need to be promoted around the world to new generations. “Olympism can contribute to a better world, and sport and education are the vehicles for this.”