Representatives of the Rio de Janeiro bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are attending major sports competitions in Europe including the World Judo Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and the World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland.

Carlos Nuzman, Rio 2016 President and Agberto Guimarães, Rio 2016 Sport Director were at the opening of the World Rowing Championships on 23 August 2009 while Leonardo Gryner, Rio 2016 Director of Marketing and Communications will be attending the World Judo Championships this week.

Mr. Nuzman said: "Over the course of the 2016 campaign, members of our Bid Committee have attended numerous international sporting events to observe, share experiences and further increase our knowledge of hosting major events for as many sports as possible and from as many angles as possible.  At these competitions we also have an opportunity to discuss Rio’s plan to host the Games and meet people in the Olympic Movement, including Olympic athletes and officials, to share our vision for the Games in South America. Although this is the final phase of the campaign, we are determined to keep working hard and learning from others at these important events."

The World Rowing Championships welcomed nearly 1000 athletes from 54 countries while the Judo World Championships brings together 660 athletes from 105 countries. The Brazilian delegation for the Judo Championships includes Olympic medalists Tiago Camilo, silver medalist in Sydney 2000 and bronze in Beijing 2008 as well as Leandro Guilheiro, bronze medalist in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Rio successfully hosted the previous World Judo Championships in 2007 with Brazil winning three gold medals and one bronze.