“Brazilians set to deliver successful Olympic Games” insists the IOC after the Coordination Commission’s final visit to Rio de Janeiro – at the same time admitting that “hard work is still to be done”. “As we enter the final 114 days until the opening of the Olympic Games Rio 2016, and despite the complex political and economic context, we are confident that Brazil and the Brazilians are on track to deliver successful Olympic Games with an outstanding legacy,” said Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel after three days of meetings, which included a venue tour of the Olympic Park and Deodoro sites, a meeting with the three levels of Government (Federal, State, and City), and presentations by the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee on the status of the preparations.
“The strong support from the local authorities, as well as the partnership and solidarity
shown by the IOC, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, and other
Olympic partners, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020, has been invaluable to the Rio organizers, as they finalize their preparations. I’d like to thank all of those involved for their hard work and dedication to this project,” El Moutawakel continued.
“The last stretch is always the hardest. During the operational phase that we are
entering now, there are thousands of details still to manage, and their timely resolution will make the difference between average Games and great Games. The Rio 2016 team is ready to rise to this challenge and deliver Olympic and Paralympic Games that will reflect Brazilians’ warmth, hospitality and passion for sports. We believe that Rio 2016 will make the host nation proud.”
Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman commented, “This last visit of the IOC
Coordination Commission has helped us a lot on this journey towards the first Olympic Games in South America. Thanks to the solidarity and support from the IOC, International Federations, and National Olympic Committees during this difficult time for Brazil, we will be ready. We will not be complacent in the last mile. We know that we still have important elements to finalise before the Opening Ceremony on 5 August. We are working hard with all of our partners on each of these points and we are more confident than ever that Brazilians will deliver great Games.”
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As stated in an IOC press release, the “Commission’s confidence was reinforced by the
fact that many of the venues are finished, with the venues 98% complete overall; that 33 test events had been successfully completed with positive feedback from the competing athletes; and that popular backing for the Games remains strong, with over 70% support in Rio de Janeiro. This final figure underlines that the local citizens see the Games as a positive element in the development of their city and country.”
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During its meeting, the Commission also received updates from the organisers and
their partners in areas such as athlete and National Olympic Committee (NOC) services, sport and International Federation services, media operations, spectators, transport, marketing, technology and the Paralympic Games.
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The Olympic flame will be lit on 21 April in Ancient Olympia, and the Olympic Torch
Relay will begin in Brazil on 3 May. The Relay will bring the message of the Games to the whole country and underline their important legacy, which will include improved public transport, better waste management, better city operations, job training, state-of-the-art sports facilities and new schools. All of which will provide benefits for generations to come. The Commission congratulated the Rio 2016 team and its Government partners for their work in this important area.
This story first appeared in the blog, The Sport Intern. The editor is Karl-Heinz Huba of Lorsch, Germany. He can be reached at ISMG@aol.com. The article is reprinted here with permission of Huba.