Rio 2016 commits to key social program of 2012 London Games
Agreement made during visit to Rio de Janeiro by British minister Tessa Jowell
The Rio de Janeiro Candidature Commission to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games today pledged that it will build on the International Inspiration legacy program initiated by the organizers of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The objective of International Inspiration is to use sport as a tool for social transformation, and Brazil is one of five countries chosen by the London 2012 team to implement the pilot project. The commitment to continue the program was agreed during a meeting with the United Kingdoms Minister for the 2012 Olympic Games, Tessa Jowell, at the Brazilian Olympic Committees headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
Tessa Jowell was appointed Minister for the 2012 Olympics Games in June 2007, and is responsible for implementing all of the governments Olympic programs. It is a pleasure and an honor to meet the Rio 2016 Commission and exchange experiences and information. We are guardians of something very special, which is the Olympic legacy, and I am happy with the commitment of the Rio 2016 Commission to continue the work of the International Inspiration project. I cannot publicly support any Candidate City, but I was very impressed with what I saw during this visit. Rio de Janeiro is certainly capable of holding the Olympic Games, she said.
The president of Rio 2016, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, emphasized that the London and Rio de Janeiro plans share the goal of harnessing sport to inspire young people: As a developing country and one that represents a continent with a large young population, Rio de Janeiros bid identifies perfectly with International Inspiration. The meeting with Tessa Jowell was important for us to understand how London won the bid for the 2012 Games, and the progress that the city has made since then. We have learned valuable lessons.
Mrs. Jowell formally opened the first International Inspiration center in Recife, northeast Brazil, on Monday 3 November, during her official visit to the country.
