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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has again spoken of his unwavering commitment to the Rio 2016 bid. After spending the past week in Saudi Arabia and China on official State duties where he met with various high level officials, the President continued to express his support for Brazil’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games at every opportunity.

The President engaged in numerous discussions during his stay in Beijing with sports officials and leading members of the business community regarding the recent 2008 Games and the impact of the world’s most significant sporting event on a fellow BRIC nation.

President Lula said: “The 2008 Games in Beijing were spectacular and delivered an important message to the world about China and its people. The Games were technically excellent and celebrated the world’s greatest athletes in a way that married China’s cultural traditions with its remarkable advances in business and technology.

“I have gained further valuable insights during my visit and it has helped confirm the importance of political support for a bid. Moving forward I know that Rio is ready, Brazil is ready and South America is ready. I believe that our continent deserves the opportunity. My commitment to bringing the Games to Rio is felt across the Federal Government, guaranteeing delivery of the Games in 2016."

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio offer an unparalleled opportunity for celebration and change. As Brazil continues its rise on the world stage and boosts relations with other countries around the world through visits such as these, I make a point of discussing our country’s bid for the 2016 Games and its role in our ongoing economic and social transformation. We are offering a historic opportunity to help the Olympic Movement embrace a new, diverse audience of potential champions while sending a powerful signal about the possibility and the power of the Games to be hosted in all the regions of the world.”

President Lula left Beijing today after a 3-day visit during which he met with President Hu Jintao to discuss a deepening bilateral strategic partnership and sign numerous commercial agreements ranging from equipment, financing, science and space exploration to agricultural products. The President is headed to Turkey with leading Ministers and Brazilian business leaders where he will be hosted by Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Council in Istanbul as part of the Turkey-Brazil Business Forum meeting. As President Lula continues his travels in the coming months he will continue to make the case for Rio 2016 and reaffirm his personal commitment to bringing the Games to his country and the continent of South America for the first time in history.

(Source: AIPS)