Brazilian President shows support for Rio 2016 Games

BRASILIA -- The Brazilian Government underscored its strong commitment to the successful delivery of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games during a meeting Tuesday between International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff at the Palacio do Planalto in Brasilia.

President Rousseff received an update on the state of preparations for the Games during the meeting and outlined a number of measures to support Games preparations.

President Bach said: "This was a very positive meeting and the President offered her strong commitment to the project. The Organizing Committee has been making good progress in the past few months, so I came to this meeting with confidence, and with the committed leadership of President Rousseff herself I am more confident than ever. With her dynamism she will ensure the close cooperation of all levels of government and stakeholders."

"And it's clear that the Games can deliver a great deal in terms of concrete legacy and social benefits," Bach continued. "Olympic venues will be turned into schools after the Games, Rio's transport infrastructure will be transformed, and the Olympic principles of non-discrimination and anti-racism will help to build cohesion here in Brazil."

"We wanted to impress on the President that the schedule is now incredibly tight and all levels of government need to work together to make the Games a success," Bach added. "President Rousseff understood this."

The meeting was also attended by IOC Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel, IOC Member in Brazil Bernard Rajzman, Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro Sergio Cabral, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes, President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and IOC member Carlos Nuzman, and Rio 2016 CEO Sidney Levy.

Bach's first trip to Brazil since being elected IOC President in September continues Wednesday in Rio, where he will meet the leaders of Rio 2016's partners, visit some of the Games venues, discuss progress with Rio's Governor and Mayor, and speak with the Board of Directors and staff of Rio 2016.