Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro and Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio today presented Brazil’s vision for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the Prince of Wales on the occasion of his official visit to the country.

The Prince of Wales is on an official four day visit to Brazil that will include a landmark speech on climate change and meetings with a number of senior government representatives. Prince Charles has already held talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on a range of different topics including the environment, encouraging sustainable development in the country and their country’s respective bids for major sporting events in the next decade.

Prince Charles met with Governor Cabral and Mayor Paes at the Itamaraty Palace, in downtown Rio, to learn more about Rio´s project to host the Olympic Games in 2016. During their meeting, the Governor, an active supporter of Rio 2016, presented the Prince with a bid summary and explained Rio’s vision for the Games and unique offering to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

“I was honoured and delighted to meet Prince Charles today and tell him more about Rio’s bid to host the Games in 2016. All levels of government in Brazil are behind Rio’s bid and the Rio 2016 Games have the potential to inspire over 65 million young people in Brazil and over 180 million youth across South America. We feel that this potential legacy for millions of youth on our continent and across the world ties in naturally to the vision and mandate of the London 2012 Games and we hope to continue to build on the objectives and work of the International Inspiration legacy programme launched by the London 2012 team,” said Governor Cabral.

The Prince of Wales was particularly intererested in the venue for the sailing competitions and asked how would Copacabana Beach be used during the Games (the area will host triathlon, beach volleyball and marathon swimming).

“As we enter the final stages of this race we are committed to learning from London’s successful bid campaign and the powerful message at its core which resonated with the Olympic Family. Rio’s message to the Olympic Family is one which attests to the potential for a historic decision to bring the Games to South America for the first time and help the Movement embrace a new, diverse audience of potential champions.  It was my great pleasure to discuss this with Prince Charles during his visit.

“Our bid to host the 2016 Games is motivated by a passion to unite the power of Olympic and Paralympic sport with the Rio spirit of celebration and contribute to achieving the country’s own objectives for human and social development through sport. We are determined and focused. Rio is ready,” said Cabral.

The Prince of Wales is travelling with The Duchess of Cornwall on a 10-day tour of South America with the issue of climate change at the top of their agenda. Their itinerary includes stops in Chile, Brazil and Ecuador.