The Rio 2016 Organising Committee announced today (Thursday, September 8) that Ernst & Young has been selected as the first official supporter (Tier 2) for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, in the Professional Services category. The company will provide a range of Consulting services to meet the Organising Committee requirements.

The announcement was made during an event at the Copacabana Palace hotel, Rio, that was attended by James Turley, Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young; Jorge Menegassi, CEO of Ernst & Young Terco; José Carlos Pinto, Consulting Partner of Ernst & Young Terco; Leonardo Gryner, CEO of Rio 2016; and Maggie Sanchez, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of Rio 2016.

“I am pleased to have the support of a leading firm such as Ernst & Young across a range of professional services in the build-up to organising excellent Games. The complexity of the Olympic Games cannot be underestimated and will only be managed with the assistance of first-class partners,” says Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Rio 2016 Organising Committee president.

James Turley said: “We are very proud to announce and share this great news with all our people in Brazil and the Brazilian market today. The values for which Ernst & Young Terco is renowned are an excellent match with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. We are delighted and honoured to contribute to Rio 2016”. Additionally, Jim went on to say that “Rio 2016 recognised our leading market position, our work over the last two decades sponsoring entrepreneurship and our unique people culture”.

In addition to its first Tier 2 (supporter) deal, signed with Ernst & Young Terco, the Rio 2016 Organising Committee already has four Tier 1 (sponsor) partners: Bradesco, Bradesco Seguros, Claro and Embratel.