The Rio 2016™ Committee has gained an important addition to its board of directors. Marco Aurelio Costa Vieira, a professional with wide experience in planning and integrated management of projects, will head the organisation’s Directorate of Operations.

The Directorate of Operations includes the directorates of Relations with the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Olympic and Paralympic Villages, Venues, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Games Services, Accommodation, Transport, Security and Technology.

The President of Rio 2016™, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, emphasized the importance of this announcement.

"As we approach the four-year mark in the run-up to the Rio 2016™ Games, we are pleased to see Marco joining us as the new Executive Director of Operations. He brings a wealth of multidisciplinary experience of managing large events and I am sure he will have a strong positive impact now that Rio 2016™ takes a new step on its path to host the Games."

Costa Vieira will join the Rio 2016™ delegation in London for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games.

Biography of Marcus Aurelius Costa Vieira:

Costa Vieira is a military professional with extensive experience in planning and integrated management of projects. A Division General and PhD in Military Science, with emphasis on Logistics and Management, he held the position of Director of Higher Education in the Army since 2009, before joining Rio 2016™.