This past weekend in Rio thousands of cariocas demonstrated their support for Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. On Saturday, Banco Bradesco, one of Rio 2016’s sponsors, unveiled a giant screen showing photos in support of the bid while on Sunday, approximately 25,000 people participated in a bicycle ride to celebrate World Car Free Day and support the city’s Olympic bid.

The Bradesco screen, 60m high and 40m wide, faces Copacabana Beach at the site where a beach volleyball arena would be erected if Rio is chosen to host the 2016 Games. In order to take part, supporters were invited to visit presencario2016.com.br and send a photo illustrating their support for the city’s Olympic plans. The images will be shown on the screen until 1 October. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Mayor Eduardo Paes, Olympic athletes including Isabel Swan (bronze at Beijing 2008 in sailing) and Bernard (silver medalist at the Los Angeles 84 Games in volleyball) and hundreds of city residents. “This is another incentive for our people to show their support for Rio 2016. We’ve held an open, passionate campaign in which we’ve made the city’s vision clear. Our unified team heads towards the final decision in Copenhagen with the certainty of having done a great job,” said Paes.

The bicycle course on Sunday spanned 15 kilometers across the city during which the group cycled past many locations that form part of Rio’s 2016 Games Plan including Copacabana Beach (triathlon, beach volleyball and aquatic marathon) and Flamengo Park (race walking). In addition to highlighting widespread local support for the city’s bid, the event aimed to encourage the use of bicycles to improve traffic and reduce pollution. Among the cyclists were Cities Minister, Márcio Forte and Environment Minister, Carlos Minc.