Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games continues gathering support. Today it was businessman Eike Batista’s turn to embrace the campaign by donating R$10 million, which was officially received by members of the Brazilian Olympic Commission’s Athletes’ Commission. The event, which took place at Guanabara Palace, was attended by Governor Sérgio Cabral, Sports Minister Orlando Silva, Mayor Eduardo Paes, Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, FIFA Honorary President and IOC Member João Havelange, and Brazilian Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.

Eike Batista, president of Grupo EBX, a holding company focused on mining and logistics, is the richest Brazilian according to Forbes Magazine (61st in the world). Batista believes the Rio 2016 Games will make Rio de Janeiro an even more marvelous city. “In my companies, our activities are based on three pillars: discipline, perseverance and passion. And I have seen these three factors reflected in Rio 2016. That is why I decided to bet once more on this city,” he said.

For the president of Rio 2016, Batista’s initiative is proof of his fondness for Rio de Janeiro. “When he learned about the plans, Eike didn’t hesitate to contribute. We are at a crucial moment in the campaign, about to receive the visit of the IOC’s Evaluation Commission, and it is evident that Brazilians are increasingly engaged in the project. We will account for every centavo of this contribution, to show where and how this money is spent,” said Nuzman.

Sports Minister Orlando Silva guaranteed that support for sport is a key national objective. “This is a good investment by Eike Batista. The success of Rio 2016 is getting closer. If President Lula is ‘the man,’ as Barack Obama said, then Rio de Janeiro is ‘the city.’ The Rio 2016 Games will be a climax for the great phase this country is experiencing,” said Silva.

Governor Cabral noted Rio de Janeiro’s vocation to host major sports, cultural and economic events. “Eike’s initiative and the contributions of other companies that have already supported the bid give an idea of how important it would be for Brazil to receive the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said. “Eike gave a demonstration of his commitment to the collective.”

Rio 2016’s positive reception at recent international events such as Sportaccord, in the United States, and the General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees, in New Zealand, was emphasized by Mayor Paes. “I believe that our chances of victory are getting higher all the time. Sport has the capacity to change the history of Brazilian youth and, with this deed, Eike Batista will receive the recognition and thanks of all the people of Rio de Janeiro,” said Paes.