Rio de Janeiro’s Bid Committee for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games today unveiled its plans for the Olympic Games if South America receives the world’s greatest sports event for the first time. The full details are contained in the Candidature File, delivered on Wednesday to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which on 2 October, in Copenhagen, Denmark, will select the host city for the 2016 Games.

The presentation of Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic plans was led by 2016 President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman; the Minister of Sport, Orlando Silva; the Governor of Rio, Sérgio Cabral; Mayor Eduardo Paes; IOC Member and Honorary FIFA President, João Havelange; the President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Vital Severino Neto; the National Secretary for Elite Sport, Ricardo Leyser; Rio de Janeiro State Secretary for Sport, Tourism and Leisure, Márcia Lins; Rio de Janeiro city government’s Secretary for Rio 2016, Ruy Cezar; the Secretary-General of Rio 2016, Carlos Roberto Osório; and Rio 2016 Communications and Marketing Director, Leonardo Gryner.

The three-volume, 568-page Candidature File, which is used as the basis for technical analysis by the IOC, contains detailed answers to 300 technical questions, divided into 17 themes. In order to meet IOC requirements, around 130 guarantee documents were also provided, which would reach 2.5 meters in height if piled up. In all, 700kg of documents were sent to the IOC. Around 500 people worked to produce the Candidature File.

“Rio de Janeiro would be transformed by the 2016 Olympic Games. The Candidature File demonstrates we have a winning plan. The Olympic Games will promote Brazil on the international stage and will greatly accelerate the development of sport in the country,” said Minister Orlando Silva.

The Rio 2016 Games will be a compact event with high standards of technical excellence. Sport, culture and education will be integrated with city activities. Social and sports legacies will be guaranteed through the joint work and support of the three levels of government.

“Brazil is prepared. Rio is prepared. Society, the three levels of government and the sports community are prepared to bring the Olympic Games to South America for the first time. Rio can! Rio will do it! And we will live this passion!” said Sérgio Cabral.

The Rio 2016 project uses the Games as a tool for transformation and inspiration, particularly for the 180 million young people of South America. All parts of the plans are aligned with the needs of local residents and the city’s long-term development plans. Technical excellence and innovation are key features in the proposals for accommodation, security and transport.

“Our Candidature File meets all of the International Olympic Committee’s requirements. Rio is a unique stage and the Rio 2016 Games will be an unforgettable event. We want to take the Olympic spirit to the millions of young people of Brazil and South America. We want to spread the passion for Rio, the passion for sport around the world. As a result, through our slogan we invite everyone to live this passion,” said Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

The Rio 2016 President also explained the breakdown of the bid budgets. Following IOC guidelines, a group composed of Rio 2016, FGV Projetos, PricewaterhouseCoopers, international consultants and representatives of the three levels of government prepared two budgets for the Candidature File: one for the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG budget), and a non-OCOG budget, which is the responsibility of the three levels of government.

The OCOG budget details the operational costs of the Organizing Committee, including those related to temporary “overlay” facilities and support structures at all Games locations. The total is R$5.6 billion, 31% of which will be funded by an IOC contribution, 45% by private sources (marketing, ticket sales and licensing) and 24% by the three levels of government.

The non-OCOG budget accounts for investments by the public and private sectors to build new sports venues and infrastructure works, including airport expansion, transport improvements and other work to be undertaken by the three levels of government. The non-OCOG budget will provide the main long-term legacies of the Olympic Games. The total amount is R$23.2 billion, 34% allotted to projects already under way, 35% to already planned work, and 31% to additional projects.

“The Olympic Games will act as a major accelerator for quality of life, and will generate thousands of jobs. In order to ensure the success of the event, a structure has been put together that guarantees transparency and the participation of civil society. Only one-third of the investment depends on Rio de Janeiro being selected as host city, and this is a strong point of the bid,” explained Ricardo Leyser.

Hosting the Olympic Games will lead to the renovation of poor areas, the acceleration of environmental projects and various urban improvements. “The projects planned as part of the non-OCOG budget are important investments for the city, which will improve residents’ quality of life. I am proud of our plans and I am confident we will win the vote on 2 October,” said Mayor Eduardo Paes.

Carlos Roberto Osório outlined the three overall concepts of the Rio 2016 plans: technical excellence in all areas, a unique experience for all participants, and the transformation of a city and a nation. “We will hold Olympic Games with the celebratory nature of Rio, together with long-term objectives and a lasting legacy for the city and country,” he explained.

“In the Rio 2016 presentation, we demonstrated Rio de Janeiro’s capacity. It is a dream shared by athletes, officials and the Brazilian people. I am sure the endeavor will be a success,” said Vital Severino Neto.

Athletes are a priority in the Rio 2016 plans. An Olympic Village has been designed to give athletes distinctive facilities, including an Olympic Beach and “Rua Carioca,” a pedestrian boulevard with cafés, restaurants and stores. “Taking part in the Olympic Games is an unforgettable experience, awakening the best in each athlete, and nothing compares to this experience,” said Róbson Caetano, bronze medal winner in the 200m sprint at Seoul 1988 and the 4x100m relay race at Atlanta 1996. “The Olympic Village is the heart of all this and the Rio 2016 plans provide security and comfort for all the athletes.”

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will have the same standards as the Olympic Games. The Olympic Village was designed to be a completely inclusive and accessible environment. The city will expand its accessible infrastructure, including Games venues and general tourist attractions.

Swimming star Daniel Dias, who savored victory on the winner’s podium nine times at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games (winning gold in the 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 200m medley; silver in the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m breaststroke and 4x50m medley relay; and bronze in the 4x50m freestyle relay), is a strong supporter of Rio 2016. “The first time that Paralympic sport had the same status as Olympic sport in the Pan American Games was in Rio 2007. And Rio 2016 has the same spirit. Holding the most important competition on the planet will promote the benefits of inclusion,” believes Daniel.