After the success of Rio 2016’s presentation at Sportaccord in Denver last week, the campaign to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Rio de Janeiro is intensifying, with various initiatives planned around the world this week. Important events will be held in New Zealand, Kenya, Qatar and the United Kingdom. In the latter two nations, the bid will have heavyweight reinforcement: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Beginning the world tour, on Tuesday 31 March, President Lula will be in Qatar for a summit between Arab and South American countries. In addition to politics and economics, Lula’s agenda will include bilateral meetings with the region’s heads of state, to present Brazil’s plans for the 2016 Games and seek support. Leonardo Gryner, Rio 2016’s Director of Marketing and Communications, will accompany the presidential delegation.

Also on Tuesday, Carlos Roberto Osório, Secretary General of Rio 2016, will give a presentation on Brazil’s plans in New Zealand, during the General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees. The meeting in Queenstown will be attended by members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and will be opened by Jacques Rogge, IOC president.

“We are going to convey the message that was so well received at Sportaccord, where most delegates were presidents of international federations. Now we will adapt the message for a public formed mainly of presidents of national Olympic committees, focusing on aspects of the bid that will benefit athletes and Olympic committees of all countries,” explained Osório.

In New Zealand, the Rio 2016 bid will introduce a new ambassador: sailor Isabel Swan, bronze medal-winner at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. “It’s an honor to represent our bid in New Zealand, where sailing is such a popular sport. I’m very enthusiastic about helping to bring the Olympic Games to Brazil, because I know the benefits of the event for Brazilian athletes and young people who dream of a sports career,” said Swan.

Rio de Janeiro’s campaign will also be present in Africa. Agberto Guimarães, Rio 2016 Sport Director, will be promoting Brazil’s plans at a United Nations conference on urban development, which began today in Nairobi, Kenya.

Closing a week full of opportunities to show Brazil’s Olympic plans to the world, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of Rio 2016, will be in London with President Lula, for the G-20 meeting. Lula and Nuzman will visit London’s East End, whose revitalization is a strong point of the social legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games.