Organization hosts event to debate city’s Olympic plans

Rio, 6 August 2009 – Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games today received the support of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Rio de Janeiro. The organization works to develop commercial, technological, social and cultural relations between Portugal and Rio de Janeiro. Its members include some of the city’s major companies, in areas such as legal services, tourism, marketing, architectural, consulting, hotels and exports. At the event, Rio 2016 secretary general Carlos Roberto Osório gave a presentation outlining the Rio 2016 project and the bid’s next steps.

Around 60 members and guests of the Chamber of Commerce attended the event. After the presentation, Osório took questions on themes including transport, security, synergies with the 2014 World Cup, the Olympic Games’ power to drive social transformation, sports facilities, and even the voting system to be used by the IOC to choose the Host City for the 2016 Games. “The interest expressed in so many subjects demonstrates that Brazilians are very much involved with Rio 2016,” said Osório. “We have given presentations to many different organizations and the response has always been positive. The support of an international organization like the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce is very important. Brazil and Portugal have a lot in common and this debate is fundamental in the development of a complex project like an Olympic bid.”

In the opinion of Luís Avillez, president of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, the result of the presentation could not have been better. “The aim of explaining the city’s Olympic plans to our members was fully achieved. The Rio 2016 bid has our complete support. The Games will benefit many sectors in the city and will result in major advances for commerce and industry,” he said.

More information, please contact:

Saint-Clair Milesi, Rio 2016
saintclair.milesi@rio2016.org.br