Countdown To The Olympics

With a ceremony held at Marina Bay, Singapore, the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games ended this Thursday 26th. For 12 days, 3,600 youngsters from 205 countries and with ages ranging from 14 to 18 years took part in the event that united high performance sports competition, cultural activities and, most of all, gave the young athletes the chance of intensively living the Olympic atmosphere. The Brazil Team, represented by 81 athletes in 20 sports modalities, leaves Singapore with seven medals, being three Gold medals, three Silver medals and one Bronze medal. Brazil took part in 33 Olympic finals, being 15 male and 18 female, in 14 modalities. Considering that 60% of the athletes of the Brazilian delegation participated in the finals, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) evaluation is that the 2016 generation passed its first big test with honors.

The international Olympic Committee (IOC) celebrated the competition audience among the young people, mostly through the internet. From the 3, 6 million fans that accessed information on the Games via Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, more than half is between 13 and 24 years old. “The concept the IOC implemented for this competition was completely different from the traditional format of the Olympic Games, so different that a table of medals was not established for the event. The most important thing was to provide the athletes the opportunity to live their first Olympic Games experience and stimulate youngsters to practice sports and live healthily, away from drugs and doping. It’s important that everyone understands the scope of this competition. It is a new dimension for the future of the Olympic Games”, considers Rio 2016 Committee and BOC president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

The BOC objective in the Youth Olympic Games followed the concept established by the International Olympic Committee for the event: provide the experience of an Olympic competition to young athletes in varied modalities, as a stimulus to their technical development. The IOC established a limit of 70 athletes of different individual modalities for each country, besides two vacancies in collective sports, one male and another female, as long as the country would reach classification. “The Youth Olympic Games came at a very special moment for Brazilian sport. We had the opportunity of giving international experience to these young athletes that, because of their age, have great chances of competing at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The fact that Brazil classified 81 athletes in 20 modalities, through international selective, demonstrates the quality of the base work accomplished by the Olympic Brazilian Confederations, with the support from the BOC, and the commitment of investing in the development of all Olympic modalities”, stated Marcus Vinicius Freire, BOC sports executive superintendent

Besides the 26 sports modalities being competed, the Youth Olympic Games presented an extensive cultural and educational program, which introduced in a playful way the young athletes in Olympism and the Olympic values, apart from the sensitization for important matters, such as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the fight against doping. According to the IOC, the Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010 had also the participation of 1,850 officials and 20 thousand volunteers. From the 205 participating countries, 93 won medals. The Games had the broadcasting from 160 TV companies and 1,900 accredited journalists
The next Youth Olympic Games will be held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012, which will host the winter competitions. The second edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will be held in Nanjing, China.

Check out the medals Brazil won at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games:

Gold: David Lourenço (boxing), Caio Cezar Fernandes, Long Jump (athletics); Caio Cezar Fernandes (athletics).

Silver: Felipe Wu (shooting), Thiago Bráz, Pole Vault (athletics) and Flávia Gomes (judo)

Bronze: female Handball

Rio 2016

The traditional Somerset House will have a Brazilian atmosphere during the London 2012 Olympic Games. At the neoclassical building, the Casa Brasil will be installed, a place for the promotion of the country, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) actions. The contract was signed on Tuesday 24th, in London, at an event that counted with the presence of Rio 2016 Committee and BOC president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, and of the Somerset House director, Gwyn Miles.

During the London 2012 Games, Casa Brasil visitors will be able to get to know a bit more about the country and the city that are hosting the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. This is Casa Brasil 5th edition, which was held for the first time at the Atlanta 96 Olympic Games. “Casa Brasil is an important place for the promotion of the Brazilian culture, of the country as a tourist destination and of the quality of national products and services. It is also the working place for the BOC, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and the Confederations. In 2012, Casa Brasil will be even more important and strategic, since Rio de Janeiro will be the host city for the 2016 Games. We will be receiving authorities, athletes, tourists and journalists from all over the world, hence the choice of such a traditional and central place like Somerset House. Just like in other editions, Casa Brasil will show the sports development, cultural richness, the values and beauty of our country. And I am sure that every visitor will start living the vibrant and structured atmosphere that will welcome the 2016 Olympic Games”, said Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Traditional center of culture and leisure, Somerset House is a neoclassical building in the heart of London, at the banks of the river Thames and beside Waterloo Bridge. Its current building was started in the 18th century, where there used to be an old Tudor palace, with the objective of gathering under the same roof government and the main scientific societies offices, such as the English Royal Academy.

Since it was opened to the public in 2000, Somerset House has a constant program of exhibitions, concerts and cultural activities, and receives around 1, 2 million visitors every year. The varied program includes a season of open-air concerts and films, ice skating rink and design and architecture exhibitions. Since 2009, it hosts the London Fashion Week. The place is even in the course of the marathon of the London 2012 Games. “We are thrilled to receive the Brazilian Olympic Committee at Somerset House. Let’s work together to develop a schedule that shows the culture and vibrancy of the Brazilians, “said the director of Somerset House, Gwyn Miles.

Rio 2016

The eight finalist agencies on the selecting process for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games brand will go through a new round of work to adjust the proposals evaluated by the Judging Commission. That had already been previewed in the selecting process tender in case none of the proposals would reach the mark of a minimum 96 points. (paragraph 5.5.10 of the tender).

On Tuesday 10th, on audio recorded individual interviews, the Rio 2016 Commission will inform the finalist agencies the technical considerations done by the Judging Commission members. After the interviews, the agencies will have until 27th August to present new proposals or make adjustments to the presented brands.

The Judging Commission is made up of 12 national and internationally recognized members, as stated in the tender. The members were chosen by the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for their experience in creation and approval in branding programs or for their prominence in the international Olympic Movement.

On the first phase of the work, the Judging Commission attended the briefing that was presented to the agencies with the Rio 2016 Games concept and technical specifications for the presentation of the creative proposals of the brand. Afterwards, there was the presentation of the brands and the judges worked on the punctuation of the proposals. Concept, Originality, Creativity and Applicability of the creative proposals were evaluated.

THE SELECTING PROCESS

The selecting process to choose the responsible company for the creation of the Rio 2016 brand started in April, when 139 companies applied to take part in the initial briefing. From those ones, 86 presented the licensing and qualification documents required for the second phase. After the analysis from the Rio 2016 Committee, 24 were selected to take part in individual interviews, which defined the eight finalist companies.

Eight agencies reached the final phase of the selecting process. The agencies Brainbox Design (PR), Dupla Design (RJ), Future Brand (SP), Gad Design (SP), Soter Design (RJ), Studio Lúmen (PR), Tátil Design (RJ) and Vinte Zero Um (RJ) received a compensation of R$10 thousand, apart from a participation certificate as a way to honor the contribution to the selecting process.

The brand creator will only be revealed after the validation from the International Olympic Committee. The winning agency will receive the additional compensation of R$ 40 thousand for the creation of the brand and will sign a six month contract, with the possibility of renewal, with the Rio 2016 Committee for design services.

Rio 2016

Today, August 5th 2010, the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee celebrated six years for the opening ceremony of the first South American Olympic Games. To mark the date, Rio 2016 announced the creation of the Sports Advisory Committee, which gathers a team of athletes and coaches with the mission of assisting with their experience, areas such as promotion and legacy. The honorary President of the Sports Advisory Committee will be International Olympic Committee dean, João Havelange.

The work with professionals of the sports field was mirrored on the experience of the London 2012 Games organization. “That is the example we want to follow. It will be fundamental to count on the collaboration of who acted or is acting in the competition field. This group has extensive experience and will advise us mostly on what concerns the sports facilities and the Olympic Village”, explained Rio 2016 Committee President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Fourteen names have already been defined for the composition of the Committee: Adriana Samuel (beach volley), Álvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto (equestrian), Bernard Rajzman (volleyball), Bernardo Resende (volleyball), Carlos Alberto Parreira (football), Daniel Dias (swimming), Gustavo Kuerten (tennis), Janeth Arcain (basketball), Joaquim Cruz (athletics), Marcelo Ferreira (sailing), Marcelo Vido (basketball), Maurren Maggi (athletics), Ricardo Prado (swimming) e Rosicléia Campos (judo). Rio 2016 Committee Sports Director, Agberto Guimarães will be the Rio 2016 representative in the Council, and Bernard Rajzman will represent the Athletes Commission of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, which he already presides.

Rio 2016 Sports Advisory Committee will hold regular meetings and its members will directly cooperate with the Sports and Infrastructure departments of the Rio 2016 Committee to increase the quality of the preparation of the necessary deliveries in this field. Besides that, they will promote the Rio 2016 Games in events in Brazil and abroad.

“Our opinion is really fundamental and I hope to contribute for the athletes to find an ideal competition environment”, stated Olympic champion Maurren Maggi (long jump, Beijing 2008). Janeth Arcain, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 basketball medalist said that “it´s a joy to be remembered to take part in the Advisory Committee and to continue to stimulate the youngsters to practice a sport”.

During the event, Carlos Nuzman made a presentation of the works already accomplished by the Organizing Committee and highlighted the “unequivocal demonstration of the commitment and political eagerness of the Federal, State and Municipal governments in the accomplishment of the International Olympic Committee established plan”.

Governor Sérgio Cabral, highlighted the Rio 2016 Games legacy. “We are building the 2016 generation, which will have a much better life quality and will live in a much better city. This is going to be a great legacy for the next generations. And when I talk about legacy, I do not only refer to sports facilities. The Games will cause a real transformation in the city, not only in transport and sanitation, but also in education, security, to mention just a few examples”.

Rio de Janeiro Mayor, Eduardo Paes, also saluted the date. “The preparation of the city has already begun. Infrastructure works, new transport corridors and the revitalization of the Docks Area are in full steam. We are going to deliver to the athletes a city in accordance with the Olympics, and for the “cariocas” a transformed Rio, with better services and more life quality”, stated Paes.

Sports Minister, Orlando Silva, said that Brazil is preparing to deliver the best Games of all times, and highlighted the role of sports” as a tool to create links between peoples and nations of the whole world”.

Besides the athletes and sports Confederation Presidents, also present to the event were the following international sponsors to the Olympic Games: Ruben Osta, Visa Brasil president, Alexandre Gouveia, Atos Origin of Latin America president, SB Kim, Samsung president, David Grinberg, McDonald´s Sports Segment for Latin America manager, and Cláudio Loureiro, GE Consumer & Industry director.

Rio 2016

PT (Labor Party, in Portuguese) Presidential candidate, Dilma Rousseff, visited the Organizing Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this Monday 2nd, and reinforced the commitment already made with the International Olympic Committee when she used to be a Minister to, if elected, invest on high performance athlete to turn Brazil into a sports power.

The candidate was welcomed by Rio 2016 Committee president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, and watched a presentation on the Rio de Janeiro Olympic project with explanations on the impact of the event in Brazil and the attributions of the Rio 2016 Committee and the Olympic Public Authority (the inter-federative consortium formed by the three levels of government and responsible for the execution of the Games infrastructure).

As an active participant of the winning Rio candidature for the 2016 Games, Dilma stated that, besides the guarantees of the Rio 2016 Olympic projects that are in the candidature dossier such as security, transport and the environment, she wants “to reinforce my commitment to turn Brazil in one of the biggest and best sports and social power in the world”. To reach this goal, the candidate intends to expand and increase the investment in various incentive sports programs.

The candidate also highlighted the intangible social transformation that will take place in the next six years – “the formation of citizens through values that are in the scope of the healthy sports competition” – and promised the construction of 800 polysport complexes in the “Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento” (Acceleration Growth Program).

“As a Minister, Dilma Rousseff was fundamental for Rio victory of the 2016 Games and, if elected, I am sure we will be working with someone aware of the importance of the Games for Brazil”, said Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Present at the event, Governor Sérgio Cabral in his speech also highlighted the effort of the then Minister during the Rio candidature for the 2016 Games. Besides the Governor, Minister of Sports Orlando Silva, the Mayor Eduardo Paes, Olympic medalists such as Carlão (volleyball), Nalbert (volleyball), Flávio Canto (judo), Natália Falavigna (taekwondo), Sandra Pires, Shelda and Jaqueline (beach volley), Robson Caetano and Joaquim Cruz (athletics) and Paulo Vilas Boas (basketball); besides Carlos Alberto Parreira (football) and sports Confederations presidents also followed Dilma Rousseff visit.

Dilma Rousseff was the third presidential candidate to be welcomed at the Rio 2016 Committee. PV candidate, Marina Silva, and PSDB candidate, José Serra, visited the entity on July 13th and 21st.

Rio 2016

At exactly 2200 days for the Rio 2010 Olympic Games – this Wednesday 28th – the Organizing Committee prepares to choose the new logo of the biggest sport event on the planet. On August 4th, the eight finalist agencies will deliver their creative proposals. On the 6th an 7th a multidisciplinary judging commission will choose the logo taking into account items such as Concept, Originality, Creativity and Applicability.

After the judging commission´s choice, the new brand will have to be approved by the International Olympic Committee. Following the approval process, which can last up to a month, the name of the winning agency will be published. The logo will be presented on December 31st, during the Copacabana Beach New Year´s party. “The creation of the brand and visual identity of an Olympic Games edition is a professional and planned process. We have to think of what Rio de Janeiro will convey to the world in images and words, and how this edition of the Olympic Games will be remembered”, explained Rio 2016 Committee president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Still in the marketing field, the Rio 2016 Committee finalizes the Commercial Planning, which will the basis for the selling of partnerships of the event and will define the kinds of associations that will be offered to the market.
THE LAST 100 DAYS – Besides taking the four first phases of the selecting process of the agency that will create the Rio 2016 Games brand and welcoming the IOC Evaluation Commission, the Organizing Committee kept the rhythm of work in the last three months and presented its results in important international events.

At the end of April, Rio 2016 highlighted its presence at the SportAccord, one of the biggest sports conventions in the world, with over 1500 participants, which includes the International Sports Federations General Assemblies. President Carlos Arthur Nuzman was one of the participants on the panel “Change in the Geography of Sport”, while Sports Director, Agberto Guimarães, did a presentation about the department working plan. In the last months, a Rio 2016 Games progress report was presented at the IOC Executive Committee meeting, and at the Pan American Sports Organization General Assembly (ODEPA, in Portuguese).

In May, the challenges of organizing the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were discussed at the International Paralympic Committee (IOC) Orientation Seminar, held in Rio de Janeiro. Representatives from Rio 2016 Committee and the three levels of government followed talks given by IPC executive director Xavier Gonzalez; Paralympic Games senior manager, Thanos Kostopoulos; and the Paralympic Games Project manager, Apostolos Rigas.

In June, twelve Rio 2016 Committee representatives took part in the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games debriefing, organized by the International

Rio 2016

The Organizing Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has one more tool to prepare the professionals that will work at the first South American edition of the biggest sports event on the planet. This Friday 23rd, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) and the Brazilian Army signed a cooperation term for the realization of courses and seminars with the aim of developing sports in Brazil, and increase the number of professionals in different areas.

The ceremony took place at the São João Fort, in Rio de Janeiro, and had the presence of Rio 2016 Committee President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman; Army Commander, General Enzo Martins Peri; and the Rio 2016 Sports Director, Agberto Guimarães, besides Olympic athletes, Confederation presidents and military authorities. “It’s of no use to only have talented athletes in the sports courts if we do not have the support of a qualified team. The idea is to open up opportunities to professionals of more diverse areas connected to sports management, being them technicians, assistants, fitness coaches, physicians, lawyers, journalists and administrators”, explained Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Agberto Guimarães explained that the first courses of the partnership will prepare workforce for the Rio 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Games. “We need to prepare a series of professionals for the Rio 2016 Committee board, such as sports facilities managers, competition managers and referees”, said Rio 2016 Committee Sports Director.

According to the protocol of intentions, the Physical Education School of the Army will lend the facilities for the realization of the preparation courses and seminars, besides lending the laboratory to help with the preparation of the athletes, utilizing actions linked to sports science. The activities are open to military and civil people.

Rio 2016

PSDB party Presidential candidate, José Serra, visited the Organizing Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this Wednesday 21st. Impressed with the quality of the city Olympic project, he guaranteed that, once elected, will do all possible for the event to be a fantastic one.
Serra was welcomed by Rio 2016 Committee president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, and saw a presentation on the Rio de Janeiro Olympic project, with explanations about the impact of the event in Brazil and the Rio 2016 Committee attributions and of the Olympic Public Authority (the inter-federate consortium made up by the three levels of government and responsible for the execution of the infrastructure works of the Games). “I really liked the planning, it was a high quality presentation. Everything is carefully done and that puts our trust high. I am certain that, in the world’s most beautiful city, the Olympic Games will be terrific. I will do everything that I can for that to be so”, guaranteed Serra.
The improvements that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will leave in areas such as transportation, environment and security were highlighted by José Serra. “Rio de Janeiro will gain a lot in these sectors. Besides, there will be an increase in the interest for sports, like in the Rio 2007 Pan-American Games, that were a basis for this project”, reminded Serra.
Olympic Medalists like Carlão (volleyball), Nalbert (volleyball), Flávio Canto (judo), Natália Falavigna (taekwondo), Adriana Behar (beach volley) and Marcelo Ferreira (yatching); and sports Confederation presidents also attended José Serra visit. “It is very important that the candidates get to know the Rio 2016 project and the work that is done in the sports world. It was an honor to welcome José Serra and show what is already done and the next steps of our work”, said Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
José Serra was the second presidential candidate to be welcomed at the Rio 2016 Committee. PV party candidate Marina Silva visited the entity on the 13th.

Rio 2016

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed this Monday 19th, a provisional executive order to facilitate the financing of the constructions for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The document is part of the responsibility matrix defined for the preparation of the biggest sports event on the planet.

The signing ceremony was held at the Palácio do Planalto, in Brasília, and also had the presence of the Rio 2016 Committee president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman; Minister of Sports, Orlando Silva; Governor Sérgio Cabral; Mayor Eduardo Paes; and the Brazilian Paralympics Committee president, Andrew Parsons. “For the Rio 2016 Games organization, it is fundamental that the responsibility matrix is defined. So that each government entity is aware of its aims and investments”, explained Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

The provisional order also includes constructions foreseen for the 2014 World Cup and should prioritize investments in seven ports (R$ 740 million) and renovations in 13 airports (R$ 5, 5 billion). The document makes the 2014 World Cup host city limit for debts more flexible, and permits that the National Economic and Social Bank (BNDES, in Portuguese) prioritizes financing concessions for enterprises linked with the Rio 2016 Games.

President Lula made sure to highlight that the government investments will be marked by transparency. “Brazilians will be able to follow where each cent will go at the transparency portal at the Republics Comptroller General. I will do anything that might be necessary to lead the way to a good accomplishment of the 2014 World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games”.

Rio 2016

PV (Green Party, in Portuguese) Presidential candidate, Senator Marina Silva, visited the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organizing Committee head office, this Tuesday 13th. Marina was welcomed by President Carlos Arthur Nuzman and guaranteed that, once elected, will honor the commitments on the Rio 2016 Bid Dossier.

During the meeting, Rio 2016 Committee president made a presentation on the Rio de Janeiro Olympic project, explaining the impact of the event in Brazil and the attributions of the Rio 2016 Committee and the Olympic Public Authority (the inter-federative consortium made up by the three levels of governments and responsible for the execution of the Games infrastructure works).

Candidate Marina Silva praised the environmental actions foreseen for the Rio 2016 project and the benefits that the Olympic Games will bring to areas such as transport, sewage and sanitation, and security. But mostly highlighted the power of sport to unite the city and inspire youth. “All partnerships and contracts signed will be maintained, independently of who wins the election. An event such as the Olympic Games will open on our youngsters’ heart a window to a fair, diverse, sustainable and democratic future. As a Minister of the Environment, in 2007, this Olympic bid process was beginning and we made a series of suggestions for the environmental area. I was very happy to see that most of those are contained in the final project”, said Marina Silva.

“On each election, we invite the candidates to get to know the sports side. And this year the visit is even more special because of the choice of Rio de Janeiro as the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games. I was very glad to welcome Marina Silva and show objectives in a clear, open way”, said president Carlos Arthur Nuzman, that highlighted the Rio 2016 environmental project´s four policies: water conservation, sustainable energy, carbon neutral games and waste management.

Olympic athletes such as Carlão (gold medal in Barcelona 92), Robson Caetano (bronze medal in Seoul 88 and Atlanta 96 in athletics), Luisa Parente (artistic gymnastics) and Franco (beach volley); and the sports Confederation presidents were also present at Marina Silva visit. The Rio 2016 Committee is in contact with the other presidential candidates to make the same presentation.

Rio 2016