President Lula’s Empassioned Remarks Highlight Rio 2016 Olympic Bid Presentation
Rio de Janeiro presented their 2016 Olympic bid to the IOC third, at 12:05 PM local time in Copenhagen. A summary follows.
IOC member from Brazil Joao Havelange took the stage first. He shared memories of past Games that he participated in.
“I dream of history being made in 2016, the first Games in South America”
Havelange asked IOC members to help celebrate his 100th birthday at the Rio 2016 Games.
President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee Carlos Nuzman took the podium next. He described his past and experience in the Olympic movement. He said he dreams of seeing the whole world in Rio.
“Our economy is dynamic and strong and ready to host the Games” he said.
“Yes, Brazil is ready, Rio is ready. Ready to host the Games of certainty…”
“We are members of the same team that delivered the 2007 Pan American and Parapan-American Games”
Nuzman then showed his now-famous map of Olympic Games spread throughout the world with the exception of Africa and South America. He made a plea to send the Games to South America for the first time.
A video was presented showing various athletic and cultural events happening in typical Rio style. Images of the 2007 Pan Am Games were added.
Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janiero took the stage and reminded IOC members that Rio was voted happiest city in the world by Forbes Magazine.
Cabral outlined financial plans and goals for the 2016 Games. He said they were ready to start immediately. Transportation improvements are to be completed prior the start of the 2014 World Cup.
With respect to security concerns Cabral said “changes are happening, and happening as the result of sport”.
He said policing changes were made as a result of hosting the 2007 Pan Am Games.
He concluded “our people are ready”.
Henrique Meirelles, President of the Central Bank of Brazil took the stage and outlined the economic situtation in Brazil including investments and employment. He reviewed the validity of of Rio 2016′s finacial plan.
Meirelles said Brazil has the 10th largest economy of the world and will soon be 5th.
Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janiero said that the World Cup in 2014 would be used as a springboard for a magnificent Olympic Games in 2016.
