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Rio 2007: Pan American Flame arrives to Brasilia
12/06/2007 |
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The Pan American Flame arrived to the Federal Capital on Monday, June 11th. President of the Organizing Committee of the Pan American Games (CO-RIO) and Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) Carlos Arthur Nuzman handed the Pan American Flame to Federal District Vice Governor Paulo Octávio. Later, in the Palácio do Planalto Oval Office, President of Brazil Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, First Lady Marisa Letícia, ministers from different areas, politicians from the legislative branch, diplomatic representations from the countries participating in the Games and youth from the Civic Guides Program received the Pan American Flame. Standing on the top of the Palácio do Planalto ramp, Minister of Sports Orlando Silva, CO-RIO President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Brasília Governor João Paulo Arruda and Rio de Janeiro Governor Sérgio Cabral Filho lit the Pan American Cauldron. Lula lit the Pan American Rio 2007 Torch and delivered it to athletes Gustavo Borges (Swimming) and Sandra Pires (Volleyball) who climbed down the Planalto ramp, covered by a plastic simulating an athletics track, to start the Relay in the Federal Capital.
President Lula stressed the importance of sport as a factor in social inclusion, and said that Brazil is earning credentials to host other large sports events. “Today we are tearing down barriers, bringing nations together through sport. The Torch brings the Brazilian population closer to the Games. The Torch and the Games belong to all Brazilians. The Games leave a material legacy, which are the Olympic-level venues, and an immaterial legacy, which is the greatest social inclusion through sport. Brazil will have shown the world that it is capable of hosting international events like the 2016 Olympic Games, and the Pan Am Games have accredited us for that,” he said.
Nuzman took the opportunity to thank the three levels of Government for the healthy partnership through the Games. “The Games mark a new Age in Brazilian Sport, and besides athletes, the population also has something to gain. The Flame has been crossing the nation’s soil, and the human warmth moves us. Sport is the greatest, best element of union among races and peoples,” said Nuzman. “We are absolutely sure that these Games will be delivered as Brazil has always dreamed.”
Orlando Silva listed the legacy that the Games will leave the nation. “Today is a special day. The Torch is a way of bringing the Games to a national scale, and bringing the Games to thousands of Brazilians. It is possible through sport to deepen the ties between Brazil and the other nations in the Americas, and to spread important values. Rio de Janeiro will be ready to host a historical edition of the Pan American Games. A safer Rio de Janeiro, with more qualified professionals, capable of generating important income and host other international events in the future,” he said.
For Arruda, the Pan American Games Rio 2007 will mark a new Age in sport in the Brazil. “We are proud to receive the Pan American Flame. This Flame represents union and brotherhood through sport, overcoming obstacles, and turning Rio de Janeiro and Brazil into a World Sport Center,” he said.
The ceremony was also attended by President of the Senate Renan Calheiros, Minister of Tourism Marta Suplicy, Brasília Secretary of Sports André Filipe, and CO-RIO Secretary General Carlos Roberto Osório, among other dignitaries.
The Pan American Rio 2007 Torch Relay, which started last Tuesday, June 5th, in Santa Cruz Cabrália (BA) has already covered eight other Brazilian cities – Porto Seguro (BA); Goiânia (GO); Ouro Preto (MG); Belo Horizonte (MG); Vitória (ES); Salvador (BA); Canindé de São Francisco (SE) and Aracaju (SE). Tomorrow the Relay will pass by Olinda (PE) and Recife (PE). The Torch will pass by a total of 52 cities and towns, which will represent the 42 countries in the Americas.
(Source: CO-RIO)
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