Yesterday, Mayor Eduardo Paes unveiled “Rio in Shape for the Olympics,” a project that will expand access to sport in the run up to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The launch, which took place at the Gamboa Olympic Village sports complex,  was attended by athletes including Adriana Behar and Shelda (silver at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 in beach volleyball), and Bernard (silver at Los Angeles 1984 in volleyball).

The project is designed to encourage 6 to 16-year-olds to practice sport by expanding the number of “Olympic Village” centers and other sports facilities. Children showing outstanding performance will receive specific training. The goal is to involve around 30,000 young people in the project’s first phase, with classes three times a week at 600 locations across the city. The project will entail investment of R$12 million. “We want to show how sport can change people’s lives. Now we are all focused on one goal: the 2016 Games,” said Eduardo Paes.

Next month, the mayor will submit to the city council a series of bills relating to the 2016 Olympic Games, including incentives to expand hotel accommodation.