The President of the Rio 2016 Bid Committee and IOC member, Mr. Carlos Nuzman, communicated his very positive impressions of the first ever Asian Youth Games to the members of the Organising Committee in Singapore.

Mr. Nuzman was joined at the Games by Rio 2016 Bid Committee members Carlos Roberto Osório, Secretary General and Mario Cilenti, Head of International Relations. This Friday 3 July, the delegation will also include Mr. Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Mr. Nuzman emphasised the importance of youth engagement in sport and the significant role of Singapore’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) in this respect. “Youth participation in sport is critical to the evolution of the Olympic Movement and as an IOC member and President of Brazil’s National Olympic Committee, encouraging increased participation is one of our main priorities. As host nation to the first ever Asian Youth Games and upcoming Youth Olympic Games, the Singaporean NOC’s contribution to this objective is critical and we are very supportive of this new initiative.

“These Games are a great opportunity for the young people of the region to engage in friendly competition while also learning about the values that animate the Olympic Movement ahead of the Youth Olympic Games next year. We are learning from these experiences; listening to the organisers, and preparing ourselves too. Brazil counts more than 65 million people under the age of 18 and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio will seek to inspire them and create a legacy for decades to come. Participating at events like these is very valuable for us in terms of delivering this legacy because we can witness their experience first-hand and ensure that what we deliver in 2016 resonates with our own youth and those of the world.”

Only two days ahead of his arrival in Singapore, Governor Cabral highlighted one of the most significant sporting legacies for young athletes in South America and beyond. “We are already creating a world-class Olympic Training Centre in Rio that will provide training and research facilities to athletes in 22 sports. This Centre will be a legacy for Olympic sport and we will invite young people from across the world to join us in Rio as we endeavour to contribute to the ongoing development of the Olympic Movement.

“Brazilian Games will catalyze the continuing social transformation of Rio and our nation and open up new markets to the Olympic Movement. Hosting the Games in Rio could inspire and benefit the young people of Brazil in such a way that no other event could and forever change the country. The recognition of this potential is part of what drives the unparalleled support and guarantees from all three levels of government as well as our regular participation at events such as this.”