POSTED: Tuesday September 15th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIO DE JANEIRO CELEBRATES WEEKEND OF SPORT INCLUDING FIRST SOUTH AMERICAN MODERN PENTATHLON WORLD CUP FINAL

The Modern Pentathlon World Cup Finals were held in South America for the first time and attracted athletes from 20 countries around the world.

Rio, 15 September 2009 - With less than one month to go before the selection of Host City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro played host to another full weekend of passionate sporting competitions. 

Over the course of the weekend, the Deodoro Sports Complex - built for the Rio 2007 Pan American Games and one of the proposed Rio 2016 venues - hosted the men’s and women’s Modern Pentathlon World Cup Finals.

On Sunday, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas – the proposed venue for the Rio 2016 rowing and flatwater canoe / kayak competitions - received the Naval School Regatta, the most traditional rowing competition in Rio, while the city’s central streets were transformed into a circuit for the National City Cycling Cup.

Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Rio 2016 President, said: “This weekend has again underlined Rio’s passion for sport and ability to host successful sporting events that celebrate up and coming talent and inspire young people, many of whom dream of competing in Rio in 2016.”

The Modern Pentathlon World Cup Finals were held in South America for the first time and attracted athletes from 20 countries around the world.

In the women’s event, Brazilian Yane Marques, who represented Brazil at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, won a silver medal with a total of 5,508 points, the best ever result for the country, while the gold medal was won by Lithuanian Donata Rimsaite with 5,548 points.

“This is my first medal at a competition of this level, so I’m very happy,” Marques said.

“I dream of the Games coming to Rio in 2016 and I’m a big fan of the bid. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be exceptional for Brazil.  The Games can leave a legacy for elite athletes and young people getting started in sport like no other major event,” she said.

The men’s event was won by Hungarian Ádám Marosi, who scored 6,056 points. Marosi also highlighted his support for the Rio 2016 bid.

 “This is the second time I’ve participated in a competition in Rio. This is my favorite place in the world. I love the passion of the people and the beautiful scenery of Brazil, particularly Rio. Holding the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio would be the best thing for the Games. It’s a wonderful place,” Marosi said.

Approximately five hundred rowers competed in the 33rd Naval School Regatta at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. In addition to the 16 races, the event featured music shows and children’s activities on the picturesque lake shore.

The lively streets of central Rio attracted a different kind of crowd yesterday as cars and buses gave way to over one hundred cyclists competing in the City Cup. Isael Nunes da Silva and Maíra Hendi won in the main category, while there were also races for beginner, master and mountain bike categories.

“It’s great having a national competition in the centre of the city.  Being in the heart of the city really adds to the excitement of the event for the athletes and the spectators,” said Anderson Cordeiro, one of the race participants.

 

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Keywords · Rio 2016 · Olympic bids · Modern Pentathlon · Rio de Janeiro

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Name: Catherine St-laurent
Organization: Rio 2016 Olympic Bid
Email:
Phone: +44(0) 759 504 9682
URL: http://www.rio2016.org.br/en/

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