On Tuesday, two-time Olympic champion and Chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) Sebastian Coe visited Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Village construction site in Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood. After the visit, the former Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games said he is impressed with the Rio 2016 Games project.

“I’m impressed with everything I saw today. The integration between the Olympic Village and competition as well as training sites is incredible. It’s a great privilege to be here”, Coe said on his first visit to Rio de Janeiro since he was appointed to the new position.

Two-time Olympic champion in the 1500m in Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984, the British Chairman highlighted the importance of the Olympic Village to athletes.

“For athletes, the Olympic Village is the heart of the Games. It’s not only a room for relaxation. It’s where the world’s best athletes will prepare for one of the most important moments of their lives. Therefore, it must be treated as a priority”, said the former athlete, who also won two silver medals in the 800m events in Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984.

Sebastian Coe’s experience as both an athlete and a chairman will be used in the organisation of South America’s first edition of the Games. Less than three years before the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for 5 August 2016, he gives a preview of what lies ahead:

“People start to get more interested in the project and the level of expectation increases every day. The Olympic Games transform lives, mainly those of young people”.

And he does not hesitate to say:

“Rio de Janeiro will celebrate fantastic Games”.

For the President of the Rio 2016 Committee Carlos Arthur Nuzman, hosting Coe is an honour. Nuzman accompanied the British Chairman in the visit to the Olympic Village and highlighted the importance of cooperation between both Organising Committees.

“Coe is a good friend of mine. His and his team’s experience is very important to us. But even more important is the fact the British will keep working with us”, he highlighted.

Nuzman and Sebastian Coe visit the Olympic and Paralympic Village construction site in Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood

With a total capacity to accommodate 18 thousand people, the Olympic and Paralympic Village will have 31 buildings of 17 floors. The foundations of all these buildings are ready. About 20% of the construction is concluded.

“Our construction timetable was designed according to the test-events programme and, therefore, we have a comfortable schedule”, Nuzman said.

Sebastian Coe’s official visit to Rio de Janeiro started on Monday, when the Chairman got to know the Committee’s headquarters in Cidade Nova neighbourhood. On Wednesday, Coe travels to Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, where he will visit Minas Tênis Clube, which will serve as Team GB’s training base for the Rio 2016 Games.