POSTED: Friday February 25th 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRAZILIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE LAUNCHES JOÃO HAVELANGE'S BIOGRAPHY
The Brazilian Olympic Committee paid fair tribute to the president of honor of FIFA (International Soccer Federation) and senior member of the International Olympic Committee, João Havelange, one of the all-time greatest sports officials. With massive attendance by guests and journalists, the book “JOÃO HAVELANGE - The Sports Official of the XXth Century” was launched last Thursday night, February 24, in Rio de Janeiro. Organized by José Mario Pereira and Silvia Marta Vieira, the book, a partnership between the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the Casa da Palavra publishing company, is the fortieth launch under COB’s cultural seal. The special bilingual edition of the 240-page, hard-copy book brings several photos and unpublished statements on the businessman, athlete and sports official who revolutionized the soccer world, from his childhood to the presidency of FIFA.
“I must admit that this book made me cry, it touched me a lot, for the way it was prepared and the way it is now being launched. I am very happy with this work,” said João Havelange, who insisted on sending a message to youth, in Brazil and in the world. “Dedicate yourselves to sports. Do not smoke, do not drink, respect your coaches and, above all, be a mirror of your country,” stated Havelange.
With plenty of images from Havelange’s personal files, the biography reveals the paths and obstacles that marked the life of the man who in 1999 was considered by the International Olympic Committee one of the three greatest sports officials in the XXth century, beside the French Pierre de Coubertin, International Olympic Committee’s founder, and the Spanish Juan Antonio Samaranch.
“It is an honor for the Brazilian Olympic Committee that the fortieth launch under COB’s cultural seal is João Havelange’s biography FIFA had twenty dollars in cash when he took it on. When he left it, it had over 4 billion dollars. He took soccer to all continents and turned sports into a show. I have learned a lot with João Havelange, an example of seriousness and commitment with youth. He certainly is one of the greatest men in the Brazilian history,” stated Carlos Arthur Nuzman, COB president.
Yours sincerely,
Brazilian Olympic Committee´s Press Office/ Textual
Cláudio Motta / Christian Dawes / Daniel Varsano
Tels: 5521-2494.2085 / 2494.2086
http://ww.cob.org.br / cobtextual@cob.org.br / http://twitter.com/COBIMPRENSA / http:www.textual.com.br
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Keywords · Brazil Olympica Committee · Joao Havelange · FIFA · IOC · Sports officials · biography
Name: Daniel Varsano
Organization: Brazilian Olympic Committee
Email:
Phone: +55 21 3433 5935
URL: www.cob.org.br
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