The Olympic flame is lit and has landed on British soil! On 27 July, at the London Olympic Stadium, after over a two-month relay across the UK and Ireland, it will be the main attraction featured at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games when the Olympic Cauldron, the symbol of the Olympic Games, is lit. And the world’s largest sporting event in 2012 will be in the spotlight.

The Rio 2016^TM Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be in London for the 2012 Games and its objectives will be two-fold. First, it will experience the challenges it will be faced with in the next four years. To this end, the Rio 2016^TM workforce will not only observe but also participate in the staging of the 2012 Games. Second, it will take this opportunity for visibility to promote the Rio 2016™ Games and the nation through Casa Brasil.

Casa Brasil is much more than a reference point for Brazil in London. Actually, it mainly aims to invite several publics to come and meet Brazil, as this action will certainly enhance the image of Brazil as a tourist and investor destination. Furthermore, the space will enable visitors to have their first contact with the Rio 2016^TM  project and encourage everyone to come and watch the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America.

Casa Brasil will be officially opened for guests on 20 July and for the general public on the following day. It is located at Somerset House, by the River Thames near Waterloo Bridge, in the heart of London. As a renowned cultural centre, the building has galleries some of which will serve as the venue for a temporary exhibition divided in three segments: an introduction to Brazil, Brazilian contemporary art and Rio 2016^TM experience.

Brazilian territory in London

The first segment will show a touristic, economic and cultural panoramic overview of Brazil. The second segment will present some of Brazil’s best photography, arts and crafts, design and other types of art. The third segment will show details of the Olympic project and the transformation propitiated by the Games which is propelling Rio’s infrastructure and the lives of Cariocas. Casa Brasil will also be utilised as a venue for seminars, cinema festivals and other events.

Rio 2016^TM will also be behind the scenes in London on three fronts. Thanks to the Observers’ Programme, Rio 2016™ will be sending representatives to follow the details of the different aspects of staging the London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Other professionals will act as shadows. Each shadow will follow the steps of a member of the London 2012 Games, which is meant to provide him or her with a real experience of the shortcomings of and the solutions to the main challenges in connection with an event of such a magnitude. The third group will consist of workforce in a Secondment Programme. These are Rio 2016^TM employees seconded to take positions in the staging of the London Games.

On 12 August, Brazilians will enjoy a particularly special moment towards the end of the closing ceremony of the 2012 Games. That is when the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will hand over the Olympic flag to the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, who, in turn, will pass it to the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes. The flag will be raised in Rio, a gesture which will officially show Rio de Janeiro as the host city of the 2016 Games.

Editor's note: The opening ceremony of Casa Brasil will take place on 20 July. The public will be allowed access as from 21 July. The previous text contained the following incorrect information: '26 July'.