The 2009 School Olympics has attracted 3,000 athletes from 900 public and private sector schools from across Brazil, a record for the largest student event in the country. Twenty four delegations (from 23 Brazilian states and the host city) will be represented in nine sports (athletics, basketball, futsal, handball, judo, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and chess). In addition to the competitions, the 2009 School Olympics features an extensive educational program. The school children will watch videos and attend talks and puppet shows. There will also be attractions such as a travelling library with story tellers and a giant chess set.

The high point of the opening ceremony was when a Rio 2016 bid video was shown. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will choose the Host City for the 2016 Games on 2 October in Copenhagen, Denmark. Despite the high spirits caused by the video, the athletes were quite serious and reflective when asked about their potential participation in an Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro. Currently, their dream is to polish their talents. “The Olympic Games is still a distant dream for me. It’s still far off, but in the meantime I intend to improve my performance,” said 14-year-old sprinter Raianne Santos Alves. “My feet are on the ground and I know there’ll be a lot of hard work until then,” she added hopefully. Despite the humility of her declaration, she puts her modesty to one side to say that there are no opponents of her level in her home city. “Nobody likes to run with me. Not even the older boys. They know they’ll lose,” reveals Raianne, smiling.

After the symbolic parade of representatives of the 24 delegations present at the ceremony, Edgar Hubner welcomed all the athletes. “On behalf of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, I wish all of you success at the 2009 School Olympics,” he said.

Mayor Paulo César Silva then declared the games open. He greeted the delegations and praised the integration between regions and cultures promoted by the event. “I see pride on the faces of everybody here brandishing their flags. More important than winning medals is the opportunity to meet people from all over Brazil, to make friends and exchange experiences through sport,” declared the mayor of Poços de Caldas (Minas Gerais state). 

In Paris, Lula endorsed the promotion of a culture of peace, with investment in education, income distribution and social inclusion. He also reinforced his commitment to the candidacy of Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "The Olympic Games serve to spread the practice of sports, but also encourage the development of a country, a region. Rio de Janeiro deserves the opportunity to organize this event. Of the ten largest economies in the world, Brazil is the only one that has never received the Olympic Games,“ said Lula.

Mr. Nuzman was joined at the Games by Rio 2016 Bid Committee members Carlos Roberto Osório, Secretary General and Mario Cilenti, Head of International Relations. This Friday 3 July, the delegation will also include Mr. Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Mr. Nuzman emphasised the importance of youth engagement in sport and the significant role of Singapore’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) in this respect. “Youth participation in sport is critical to the evolution of the Olympic Movement and as an IOC member and President of Brazil’s National Olympic Committee, encouraging increased participation is one of our main priorities. As host nation to the first ever Asian Youth Games and upcoming Youth Olympic Games, the Singaporean NOC’s contribution to this objective is critical and we are very supportive of this new initiative.

“These Games are a great opportunity for the young people of the region to engage in friendly competition while also learning about the values that animate the Olympic Movement ahead of the Youth Olympic Games next year. We are learning from these experiences; listening to the organisers, and preparing ourselves too. Brazil counts more than 65 million people under the age of 18 and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio will seek to inspire them and create a legacy for decades to come. Participating at events like these is very valuable for us in terms of delivering this legacy because we can witness their experience first-hand and ensure that what we deliver in 2016 resonates with our own youth and those of the world.”

Only two days ahead of his arrival in Singapore, Governor Cabral highlighted one of the most significant sporting legacies for young athletes in South America and beyond. “We are already creating a world-class Olympic Training Centre in Rio that will provide training and research facilities to athletes in 22 sports. This Centre will be a legacy for Olympic sport and we will invite young people from across the world to join us in Rio as we endeavour to contribute to the ongoing development of the Olympic Movement.

“Brazilian Games will catalyze the continuing social transformation of Rio and our nation and open up new markets to the Olympic Movement. Hosting the Games in Rio could inspire and benefit the young people of Brazil in such a way that no other event could and forever change the country. The recognition of this potential is part of what drives the unparalleled support and guarantees from all three levels of government as well as our regular participation at events such as this.”

Speakers will include Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Rio 2016 President and IOC Member; Carlos Roberto Osorio, Secretary General; Henrique Meirelles, President of Brazil’s Central Bank; Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro; Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro; Agberto Guimarães, Director of Sport and Isabel Swan, Olympic medalist in sailing.

The team will present their bid’s technical plans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 17 June as well as host an exhibition area on 18 June for accredited participants and media.

The team has been rehearsing together and applying the finishing touches to their presentation this past week near Lausanne and look forward to sharing their vision for delivering technically excellent, celebratory and transformative Games to the IOC.

Carlos Arthur Nuzman said: “We are in an important phase of the campaign and the presentation in Lausanne is a key moment for all Candidate Cities. Our delegation is well prepared and its composition demonstrates the commitment of the three levels of government to the bid and the solid guarantees that will ensure delivery of every aspect of our proposal. The support and dedication we have witnessed this past week in our final preparations from everyone involved makes us confident about the presentation in Lausanne.”

Agberto Guimarães said: “As Director of Sport for the bid and as an Olympic athlete, I have contributed and witnessed the development of a spectacular Games Plan proposed for Rio in 2016. A Plan that has athlete experience at its core and will deliver an unforgettable experience for them but also for the millions of fans and audiences around the world. I am very excited to present to the IOC next week and hopefully, have the opportunity to bring it to life for the people of Brazil and South America in 2016.”

Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Brazil will use a portion of its foreign reserves to buy bonds issued by IMF.

“Most of our reserves are invested in U.S. Treasuries, which are yielding very little,” said Mantega. “All these investments are giving poor returns.”

He explained that the decision is not meant to weaken the dollar, but added that there should be other currencies besides the dollar for international transactions.“This is an investment that Brazil is doing with part of its reserves and making available financing so that the IMF may help emerging countries, especially developing countries which today face a shortage of capital because of the global financial crisis,” explained Mantega.

To win the gold in the Rio GP Vili set a new area record in the competition with a throw of 20.69 meters. Vili praised the João Havelange Stadium, built for the Pan American Games Rio 2007 and one of the venues in the Rio 2016 project. "It's a great stadium with a wonderful atmosphere. It is perfect for athlete’s to find that little extra in their performance. Rio de Janeiro is a colorful city with wonderful people. An edition of the Olympic Games in a place like this would be a wonderful experience for athletes from around the world, "said Vili.

As well as the Rio GP, Vili took part in the Belém GP.  Her impressions of taking part in Brazilian events have been highlighted in the blog she writes for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) website. “My trip to Brazil was a fantastic success!  My expectations were totally blown away and the whole experience was terrific. The organizers were wonderful and really took care of me. Rio de Janeiro was my first stop and I fell in love with the heat as soon as I arrived," said Valerie, who also took away happy memories of visiting Christ the Redeemer and Brazilian fruit, particularly mango.

The highlight of the event was provided by Fabiana Murer. To win gold in the pole vault, she achieved a height of 4.82m, a global record for the 2009 season and an all-time record for South America; the previous record of 4.80m had also been set by Fabiana. “I was hoping to beat my record and so I’m happy with the result,” the athlete explained. Olympic champion Maurren Maggi won silver in the long jump, with a distance of 6.75m. Gold went to Keila Costa, long jump finalist at Beijing 2008, who jumped 6.79m at this weekend’s event.

Built for the Rio 2007 Pan American Games, João Havelange Stadium will host athletics if Rio de Janeiro is selected to host the 2016 Olympic Games. In May, the stadium welcomed athletes from 29 countries, including six Olympic champions, for a Grand Prix athletics meet.

The Olympic Wood is Rio 2016’s tribute to World Environment Day, reaffirming the environmental commitment of Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic project. One hundred and seven trees were planted on a site across from the Shooting Center at Deodoro Sports Complex, which was built for the Rio 2007 Pan American Games and is one of the Rio 2016 sports venues. Each tree honors a member of the International Olympic Committee. The first tree was planted by Rio 2016 manager for institutional relations, Fábio Starling, and the commander of Gericinó Training Camp, Lieutenant Colonel Danilo André de Oliveira. The tree chosen was a jequitibá-açu, a symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, whose name means “giant of the forest.” The event was also attended by the manager of Deodoro Sports Complex for the Ministry of Sport, Colonel Sérgio Bernardes; the coordinator of the Municipal Environment Secretariat, Marcus Vinícius Carrasqueira; and the vice-president of the Brazilian Shooting Confederation, Colonel Silva Freire.

Rio 2016 is focused on improving the environment, the quality of life and the economy. “The three levels of government and other authorities have provided guarantees that all building work for Rio 2016 will comply with international norms and protocols related to planning and environmental protection. The Olympic Wood reinforces this commitment, and the tribute to the IOC members represents the integration of our environmental project with the ideals of the Olympic Movement,” said Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Rio 2016 president.

The opening of the sewerage plants in Barra da Tijuca is an important part of the clean-up plan presented in Rio de Janeiro’s Candidature File. The R$460 million project is capable of treating 2,500 liters of sewage per second, benefiting one million people. As part of Rio 2016 plans, the Barra da Tijuca Zone will host 19 sports competitions, as well as the Olympic Village, International Broadcast Center (IBC) and Main Press Center (MPC). The event was attended by Governor Sérgio Cabral, Mayor Eduardo Paes, CEDAE President Wagner Victer, and Rio 2016 Operations Superintendent Carlos Luiz Martins. “This is another major step forward. The state government of Rio has pledged that, by 2016, 100% of the city’s sewage will be treated,” said Governor Cabral.

Rio 2016’s sustainability and environment program is focused on four pillars: water conservation, renewable energy, carbon-neutral Games, and waste management & social responsibility. The IOC will select the Host City for the 2016 Games on 2 October, but various initiatives are already underway in Rio. In January, local water and sewerage company CEDAE opened the Alegria waste treatment plant in Caju, an important project within the program to clean up Guanabara Bay, which is planned to host Rio 2016 sailing competitions. The plant in Caju is capable of treating 2,500 liters of sewage per second, benefiting 1.25 million inhabitants in 19 city districts. In May, Rio 2016 announced that it will offset all the carbon emitted from its bid campaign by planting 2,386 trees in the Pedra Branca National Park and at facilities including Maria Lenk Aquatic Park and Deodoro Sports Complex.

Held at the Palácio da Cidade, home of Rio’s city government, the event was attended by Governor Sérgio Cabral; Mayor Eduardo Paes; Ricardo Teixeira, president of the 2014 World Cup organizing committee and the Brazilian Football Confederation, and member of FIFA’s executive committee; and Rio 2016 Chief Operations Officer Carlos Luiz Martins. Mayor Paes announced total investment of R$430 million to remodel and modernize the Maracanã, as well as the granting of an 11,000 square meter plot of land in Barra da Tijuca to build the new headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation and a Museum of Football. “It is important to receive all this support from Rio de Janeiro,” said Ricardo Teixeira. “The Museum of Football and the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters will become new tourist attractions for the city, attracting people who currently visit the Maracanã. Since the beginning, the state and city governments of Rio de Janeiro have been supporting our World Cup preparations, just as they are now working hard to bring Rio the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Many of the commitments taken on by Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup are mirrored in the city’s bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, such as expanding the international airport’s capacity to 20 million passengers per year, providing more incentives to grow the city’s hotel accommodations, the revitalization of the port area, and the modernization of the transport system. The latter includes the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system consisting of three express bus corridors, with tubular stations similar to those seen in metros, connecting Barra da Tijuca to the city’s north and west zones. “These improvements will generate extra income and business for the city, not least by increasing the number of visitors. Major sports events leave fundamental urban and social legacies for the city,” said Governor Cabral.

In the view of Rio 2016’s Carlos Luiz Martins, the commitments described at the event demonstrate that the 2014 World Cup will leave important legacies for Rio 2016. “We have the guarantee that two years before the Olympic Games we will have concluded a major part of the infrastructure works set out in our Candidature File. Rio de Janeiro has already shown that it has the potential to receive major sports events. The 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games will leave an historic mark on the city and the whole of Brazil,” said Martins.

“The 2014 World Cup means that our proposed Olympic football venues will boast new and modern stadiums well ahead of the Games. We will also witness significant investments in airports, transportation infrastructure, accommodation, telecommunications and security in the coming years leading up to 2014. Moreover, the World Cup will contribute to training new professionals with experience in large sporting events, many of whom we hope will be able to work with us to deliver the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Nuzman.

The announcement of the cities was broadcast live from the Bahamas in Maracanã Stadium, where more than 70,000 fans were following a Brazilian Championship match between Flamengo and Atlético Paranaense. The legendary stadium, which is expected to host the World Cup final, has also been proposed by the Rio 2016 Bid Committee to host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Games as well as the football finals.

Rio de Janeiro´s State Secretary for Sport, Tourism and Leisure, Márcia Lins, said: “The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will transform urban mobility in our country with the expansion of the metro system and improvements in the suburban train system, all planned to accommodate the competitions across the country. These are critical improvements with substantial long-term benefits that have all been integrated within Rio’s plans to host the 2016 Games.”

In addition to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Salvador, seven other Brazilian cities will host World Cup games in 2014: Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Manaus and Cuiabá.

One of the highlights of Rio’s plans is a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, featuring three new express corridors for exclusive use by high-capacity buses with tubular stations similar to those in metro systems. The BRT lines will connect Barra da Tijuca to the city’s South, North and West zones, ensuring fast high-volume transport integrated with the city’s other public transport modes.

“We felt that our presentation on Theme 15 – Transportation – was one of our strongest on the first day of meetings with the members of the Evaluation Commission,” said Mayor Eduardo Paes.

“We made it clear to the Commission members that our transport proposal is closely intertwined with our plans for development across the city and straightforward to implement with manageable costs that we are ready and able to bear given already secured government funding.”

Valuable lessons from the Rio 2007 Pan American and Parapan American Games such as the use of green fuels and improvements to accessibility in urban transport formed an important part of the Bid Committee’s presentation to members.

“We sought to demonstrate that the Rio 2016 Bid Committee is fully aware of the transport needs and services that will have to be delivered by the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The goal is to meet all Games demands without disrupting the normal routine of the city. Our plans are aligned with the city’s development plan and, as well as implementing BRT lines, we are planning significant improvements to the metro and train systems,” explained Paulo Cavalcanti.

This thursday (30 May), at the Copacabana Palace Hotel, the following themes will be discussed: Paralympic Games, Political Climate, Legal Aspects, Customs and Immigration Formalities, Finance and Marketing. Representatives of Rio 2016 and the three levels of government will go through Rio de Janeiro’s plans for each of the themes.

Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 committee, stressed the quality of the plans that will be presented to the IOC.

“We have reached this decisive week prepared with high-quality presentations. We will show that Rio de Janeiro and Brazil are politically structured to receive the Olympic Games, and we will present innovative marketing proposals. Our budget is realistic and complete. We were also very careful in planning the Paralympic Games,” said Nuzman.

In the opening session of the second day of presentations, Mayor Eduardo Paes and Andrew Parsons, president the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, are among those who will describe Rio’s plans for the Paralympic Games. Afterwards, Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s Minister-Chief of Staff, and Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles will speak on the country’s political and economic climate.

All investments made by Rio 2016 will create substantial, tangible and significant legacies for the people of the city and the country. This is also one of the subjects that will be covered in the presentation on Legal Aspects, which will feature Régis Fischtner, Chief Secretary of Rio State’s Office of the Chief of Staff. Ambassador Oto Agripino Maia is among presenters on Customs and Immigration Formalities.

Following IOC guidelines, Rio 2016 prepared two budgets: one for the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG budget) and another for expenses not related to the Committee (non-OCOG budget). To explain details of the process, Minister Dilma Rousseff will return to address the IOC Commission.

To end Thursday’s presentations, Leonardo Gryner, Rio 2016’s Marketing and Communications Director will describe the city’s marketing plans. Proposals to ensure maximum attendance at all sports sessions will be presented.

Carlos Roberto Osório, Secretary General of Rio 2016, said: “this visit by the IOC is a great opportunity for us to show aspects that only Rio de Janeiro has to offer the Olympic Movement. Our speakers are well prepared and confident that they will present strong and well-structured presentations.”