With the purpose of getting closer to African continent needs, the Brazilian Olympic Committee and Rio 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee sent two representatives to the African Sports Convention, in Abuja,  Nigeria. Africa’s most important sporting seminar counted on the presence of two Brazilian sport icons: Bernard Rajzman, Los Angeles 1984 volleyball silver medalist and chairman of the Pan American Athletes Commission and Seoul-88 200m sprint bronze medalist Robson Caetano.  Both Bernard and Robson attended meetings and lectures at during the Congress of African countries convened to discuss the development of Olympic sport in Africa. Bernard Rajzman presented ideas and concepts about Rio’s experience as the host city of the Pan American Games Rio 2007. He also talked about Brazil and Rio projects and aspirations while applying for a candidacy to host 2016 Olympic Games.

“Both for us and the representatives of the African countries the event provided an excellent opportunity for an exchange of experiences. As a developing country Brazil has to deal with the same difficulties faced by Africa and is proud to be able to convey some of  the knowledge acquired from Olympism and to learn from African people and culture. “Our country has long standing and historical ties with Africa”, Bernard Rajzman commented.