"We're on the same boat towards successful Olympic Games", says Thomas Bach after meeting Michel Temer

After meeting the Interim President Michel Temer this Tuesday morning (14.06) at the Barra Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach said that he is even more confident of how successful the Rio 2016 Games will be.

"I had a pleasant meeting with President Temer, I'm happy with his unconditional commitment to the success of the Games. It is a commitment we share. Brazilians and the IOC want to have great Games. We're on the same boat towards successful Games. An atmosphere of mutual commitment is reflected by this meeting", said Bach.

It was the first time they met personally. Their previous contact had be done over the phone, as soon as Temer took over as president. "I'm happy that some actions we discussed on the phone are being put in practice. The Games are a project based on union. We were working really well with President Dilma Rousseff's administration in order to have successful Games and we're on the same path with President Temer's government", stated the IOC president.

He reinforced that the Games are 'a moment of union' and that political matters should not intervene in the mega event's organisation. "I hope that the Games keep the position they are in now: bringing Brazilians together. Therefore, we cannot get involved in political divisions and trust Brazil's democracy", he said.

Visit

After meeting the IOC president, Michel Temer visited the Water Sports Olympic Stadium, Arena Carioca 1 and Futuro Arena, all venues at the Barra da Tijuca Olympic Park. The Interim President also attended a meeting with several ministers, including the Minister of Sport Leonardo Picciani, the President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee Carlos Nuzman, as well as representatives from the state and municipal governments. Temer said that he was thrilled with seeing the venues at the Olympic Park, reinforcing that the world will be watching Brazil on 5 August, when the mega event's opening ceremony will be held and affirming practical support to the staging of the Games.

"I had a meeting with the IOC president and he mentioned a fact that we all know: 5 billion people will watch the Games' opening ceremony, with their eyes turned to our country. Therefore, it's incredibly important having come here with part of the cabinet, so we could visit the venues and see what we have just seen with the mayor, governor and representatives from the legislative branch: we're going to cooperate with more than words, also providing for financial needs. We're doing this with the absolute conviction that we're producing something extraordinary for Brazil and the world", said Temer.

Then, he talked specifically about the Metro Line 4, which is a state government project, part of the Rio 2016 Games Public Policy Plan, with total investments in the order of R$ 9.77 billion. From this total, R$ 6.6 billion corresponds to federal financing, awarded by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). Another R$ 989 million were requested from the bank in the final construction stages.

"Financial studies are being finished and I've arranged with the acting governor Francisco Dornelles that we'll have a chat soon to definitely decide on the metro issue", said the Interim President.

Federal support

Through an inter-ministerial work group, the federal government controls the preparation process, with is taking place according to the anticipated schedule. One-off issues are paid special attention. For example, the Velodrome has reached 89% conclusion rate in relation to construction works. The track was put in last month.

In relation to power supply, the federal government has built the Olympic Substation, with almost 15 km in underground connections for supplying electricity to the Barra Olympic Park, an investment of R$ 152.8 million. In addition, the middle tension network has been reinforced with investments in the order of R$ 40 million, allocating R$ 290 million for the temporary supply of power, using generators.

Sport facilities

Through the Ministry of Sport, the federal government invested R$ 903.7 million in the Barra Olympic Park for the building of permanent venues (Olympic Tennis Centre, Olympic Velodrome and air conditioning of the three Arenas Cariocas), as well as temporary (Futuro Arena and the Water Sports Olympic Stadium).

In the Deodoro Olympic, investments reached R$ 825.4 million. Resources allowed for existing facilities to be renovated (National Shooting Centre, National Equestrian Centre, modern pentathlon pool and the Hockey Centre), as well for new venues to be built (Arena da Juventude, Canoe Slalom Stadium, Deodoro Stadium, BMX Olympic Centre and Mountain Bike Centre).

The ministry is also in charge of procuring 216 items from the sporting equipment and material list to be used at the Games, with investments in the order of R$ 100 million. These are items that will be used in shooting, weight lifting, taekwondo, support vessels, pools, athletics track, floorings and athletics gear. After the Games, these items will be part of the legacy, being part of actions aimed at improving the country's sporting structure and fostering high performance sports.

Carol Delmazo - brasil2016.gov.br, with information from the Presidential Palace's Blog