Dear Editor,
It was with some surprise that I read the Sports Scope column, ‘Rio’s troubled Games’ in the edition of June 6th, 2016 of your prestigious newspaper. First, I can guarantee that there is no chance that the Olympic or the Paralympic Games in Rio will be cancelled or postponed. Zero chance.
Let me also clarify some text inaccuracies. Regarding the structure, less than two months before the opening ceremony, 99% of the works are ready. The Velodrome, the last pending project, has recently been completed, two months before the opening ceremony on August 5th. Besides, 33 test events have been successfully completed with positive feedback from the competing athletes. Also worth mentioning is that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission expressed confidence that Brazil and the Brazilians are on track to deliver successful Olympic Games with an outstanding legacy. Everything is ready for Brazil to receive thousands of tourists from around the world and athletes from 206 countries who will compete in 42 sports.
About the Zika virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has ensured that the virus presents no risk to the health of athletes and the thousands of tourists who will be in Rio during the months of August and September. And we know that the Games will be held during the Brazilian winter, the season in which the Aedes aegypti mosquito is less active.
The impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff strictly observes the precepts and rules provided in the Brazilian legislation. Due process is being observed to the fullest extent under the close supervision of the Supreme Court, the maximum judicial instance of the country and guardian of the Constitution. Brazilian democracy is strong and whatever happens in the political field, will not affect the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
As we all remember, Brazil has demonstrated its ability to organize major events not only during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but also the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2007 Pan and Parapan American Games and the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, among others. Once again we Brazilians will show our competence.
Rio-16 will be remembered for the exciting competitions, for the world records that will be broken, for the emergence of new sports’ idols, for the joy of the Brazilian people, and also for its organization. I hope to count on your presence in Rio to witness our ability to think big and not be afraid of challenges.
Yours faithfully,
Lineu De Paula,
Ambassador of Brazil
