The inspiration that Rio 2016™ will take home from London doesn’t only stem from sport competitions. Last Friday, members of the Organising Committee of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games have visited Saint Thomas Hospital, one of the largest in the British capital and received “good luck” messages from staff members and young patients.

The smile on the children’s  face in their daily struggle for life has touched the team of Brazilian observers, which were welcomed with a homage at the hospital’s auditorium and a cake specially baked for the occasion.

“This kind of activity helps the treatment a lot, especially when it comes to children and patients in more severe condition. For us, it was a great chance to recharge our heart batteries after such a long time away from our families and friends who stayed in Brazil. The objective is to exchange positive energies and do good. It was a positive activity as much for us as for them”, said  Antônio Bispo, Rio 2016™‘s Medical Services Manager.

Part of the National Hospital Service (NHS), St. Thomas hospital, located at the Thames river’s bank opposite the British Parliament, provides free of cost assistance to approximately a million of people per year. It was one of the prominent referrals for the Olympic Games in an operation planned for 18 months and successfully achieved, according to operations vice-director Nicola Grinstead.

“The Olympic Games were a very special moment for everybody, which has demanded a great deal of planning and work, that ended up conveying a positive message, turned to a real legacy for increasing sports practice and increasing health. Here at the hospital, children were really into it, followed everything through the television. They know that the next edition will be in Brazil and were very excited to meet the people who will be making the Games”, she said.

Rio 2016™ Team and of staff members of the Saint Thomas Hospital (Photo: Wander Roberto/Rio2016™)

Ricardo Prado and a special swimmer

EthanMuwanga was nowhere near being born when Ricardo Prado won the swimming silver Olympic medal in Los Angeles 1984, but last Friday’s picture with the former 400m medley world record holder should be an inspiration next time he plunges into the pool.

In love with sports, the six years old boy, who is a sickle cell anaemia bearer, undergoes monthly blood transfusions since his first year of life. But that doesn’t hinder him from doing what he most enjoys.

“He needs a special outfit for swimming, as he can’t be exposed to the cold, but he loves it. He is tuned in. He is a boy with a very strong mind, he is always smiling. Visits as today’s are yet another inspiration. Seeing people from other corners of the world, which are involved with sports brings incentive and good energies, always”, says EnochMuwanga’s father, next to Prado.

“It is delightful for them and for us to be here. This is what sport is about, this exchange. This is the Olympic Movement’s spirit and the human side that Rio de Janeiro values. The Games in Brazil will have this look and energy”, concluded the former swimmer.

Dad and son Muwanga and the olympic medalist Ricardo Prado (Photo: Wander Roberto/Rio2016™)