Recently arrived in Bali, Indonesia, to take part in the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as Rio 2016 Ambassador, Adriana Behar, one of the greatest champions in the history of beach volleyball, was today received like a real queen. With three Queen of the Beach titles, as well as two silver Olympic medals (Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004) and seven titles of the FIVB World Beach Volleyball Tour, it was anticipated that Adriana would be popular with athletes and spectators present at the Beach Arena. 

Accompanied by senior members of the Rio 2016 team, Adriana attended the beach volleyball competitions on Monday morning, and was inundated for photos by athletes who are taking part in the first Asian Beach Games. Adriana Behar is in Bali as part of the Rio 2016 team led by President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Secretary General Carlos Roberto Osorio and International Relations Director Mario Cilenti. “The atmosphere here at the Asian Beach Games is fantastic,” explained Adriana. “I played here in Bali for three years on the World Tour and I have wonderful memories. Bali is world-famous for its beaches, and its selection to host the first Asian Beach Games couldn’t have been better. I hope I can help Rio de Janeiro in the bid to stage the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which would be an equally magical moment for sport in our city, our country and South America.” 

On 21 October, Adriana will take part in Rio 2016’s presentation to the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Nuzman expects another good showing: “Rio 2016 is totally committed to sport. The participation of great Brazilian athletes as campaign Ambassadors is proof of this. The Asian continent is making a great contribution to the Olympic movement by encouraging young people in sports, and we intend to show everyone that holding the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro would boost the Olympic ideals throughout the South American continent, opening new frontiers on one of the world’s youngest continents.”