POSTED: Thursday December 11th 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UK PARLIAMENTARY OFFICIAL BELIEVES RIO 2016 BID WILL LEAVE IMPORTANT LEGACY FOR THE CITY

Gillian Merron expressed her belief that Rio has many of the requirements to host the Olympic Games

Rio, 10 December 2008: Gillian Merron MP, UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, completed an aerial tour today of Rio’s existing and planned venues for the city’s 2016 Bid.

Merron was accompanied by British Ambassador Alan Charlton and Consul-General Tim Flear. Impressed with Rio’s existing sports infrastructure and wealth of natural beauty, Merron expressed her belief that Rio has many of the requirements to host the Olympic Games.

“Given our preparations for the 2012 Games, our team in London is already familiar with some of the challenges that lie ahead for Rio. Having said that, the Rio 2016 Bid Committee is making great progress and I believe that the Games would leave an important legacy for the city and region. An Olympic Host City must offer something new to the Olympic Movement. Rio de Janeiro has a unique proposition and the proven ability to meet challenges,” said Merron, particularly interested in plans for the Olympic Training Center, a facility to be built in the Barra da Tijuca district, with infrastructure to accommodate 22 sports.

Under Secretary Merron was also shown venues such as the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park, Riocentro, the Rio Arena and the Maracanã Stadium. Márcia Lins, Rio de Janeiro’s Secretary for Sport, Tourism and Leisure, accompanied Mrs. Merron on her visit over the city.

Lins stressed the significance of exchanges between Rio de Janeiro and London. “These visits are a great learning experience for us. We have gathered valuable information about the bid process and Games organization through our discussions with officials from London 2012. Under Secretary Merron and  colleagues of hers that have visited Brazil have also had the opportunity to witness Rio de Janeiro’s potential and visit the existing sports venues, a major legacy from the 2007 Pan American Games and a testament to our ability to host international sporting events,” said Lins.

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Keywords · Rio 2016 · olympic bid

Name: Elisa Lopez
Organization: Rio 2016 Olympic Bid
Email:
Phone: +55(21) 3433-5827
URL: http://www.rio2016.org.br/en/

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