The Rio de Janeiro bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games maintains constant liaison with the city's population. The result is growth in support for the campaign and the exchange of information and ideas. This Tuesday, July 14, the Rio 2016 Committee met with 36 community organizations, representing more than 170 thousand residents of Barra da Tijuca, one of the four main zones of the city's Olympic project.

The event was attended by Rio 2016 Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Leonardo Gryner; Rio 2016 General Manager of Infrastructure, Alexandre Techima; Rio 2016 General Manager of Games Services, Ricardo Trade; the regional administrator of Barra da Tijuca and Jacarepagua, Thiago Barcellos, and chairman of the ‘Barra Alert’ Association, Kléber Machado. A presentation on the main points of the bid was followed by a discussion on themes from the Rio 2016 Candidature File, such as medical services, environment and accommodation. "Barra da Tijuca wants the 2016 Games to come to Rio de Janeiro. There will be a large investment in the region and development of the tourism sector. We are united in this campaign, this meeting has been important for strengthening our participation in the Rio 2016 bid," said Kleber Machado.

If Rio de Janeiro is chosen to host the Games in 2016, Barra da Tijuca will be home to competitions in 19 Olympic and 13 Paralympic sports. The Olympic Village, the Media Center and Olympic Training Center will all be built in the region. Furthermore, athletes will use the sporting legacy of the Rio 2007 Pan American Games such as the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park, and the Rio Olympic Velodrome. “The Rio 2016 Committee is very honored to have the support of organizations representing the residents of Barra da Tijuca, an important region for the project. This debate reinforces the closeness of the candidature to the population" said Leonardo Gryner.