Rio de Janeiro’s plans to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be presented today at SportAccord, in Denver, USA. Each candidate city – Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo are competing against Rio de Janeiro – will have 30 minutes to describe the main points of their bids at the plenary session of the event, one of the world’s most important sports conferences and exhibitions.

Rio de Janeiro’s presentation will be given by Sports Minister Orlando Silva, Governor Sérgio Cabral, Mayor Eduardo Paes, Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Rio 2016 Secretary General Carlos Roberto Osório, and beach volleyball Olympian Adriana Behar, a Rio 2016 Ambassador. “Our presentation will transmit the campaign’s main messages and some of the energy of Rio de Janeiro. The city has a unique way of celebrating sport and we believe Rio 2016 has much to contribute to the Olympic Movement,” said Nuzman.

Two-time Olympic beach volleyball medal-winner – silver at Sydney 2000 and again at Athens 2004 – Adriana Behar is likely to prove a hit with SportAccord participants. The Rio 2016 Ambassador believes Rio is experiencing an historic moment, and the city’s time has arrived. “Rio has everything needed to host the Olympic Games. My career as a player has given me many happy moments and I would only swap what I’ve experienced for one thing: the chance to do it all again at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said Adriana.

SportAccord brings together more than one thousand people from the sports world, including executives, athletes, members of international federations and the International Olympic Committee. In his opening speech, IOC President Jacques Rogge spoke of the impact of the economic crisis on the sports world and on the Olympic Movement’s need to look for alternatives to connect with the world’s youth.

In addition to the official presentation, Rio de Janeiro has a stand to promote its bid. The Brazilian space is equipped with a screen projecting images of the city and details of its Olympic plans. The floor is modeled after the famous beachfront sidewalk of Copacabana, and visitors are welcomed with a traditional, 100% Brazilian coffee. During the event, Rio 2016 officials will meet with representatives of international federations for the first time following the delivery of the Candidature File.