Rio 2016™receives the Paralympic flag

During the London 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony, Rio de Janeiro has received the Paralympic flag. The flag handover ceremony counted on the presence of artists like Carlinhos Brown.

The athletes Ádria Santos and Daniel Dias took part in the show and appeared next to the Rio 2016™Paralympic brand.

The gig with Herbert Vianna, who became a paraplegic after an ultra-light plane accident in 2001, and Paralamas do Sucesso was one of the highest points of the handover ceremony.

 
The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, has received the Paralympic flag and lands in Rio de Janeiro this Monday’s afternoon.

 
Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

Press conference marks four years to go for the start of the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games

This September 7th, Brazil's Independence Day, marks exactly four years to go for the start of the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games . In London, the CEO of the Rio 2016™ Games Organising Committeee, Leonardo Gryner, attended a press conference with authorities and personalities involved in the ceremony of the Paralympic flag handover to Rio de Janeiro.

Carlinhos Brown, Thalma de Freitas and João Barone, from Paralamas do Sucesso, attended the event and were excited by the proximity of the Paralympic flag handover to Rio de Janeiro. 

During the press conference, journalists from all around the world have been informed about the presentation this Sunday and asked questions about the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games.

 Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016 ™

“Paralympic Shark”, Clodoaldo Silva visits exhibitions at Casa Brasil

The Paralympic mega-champion Clodoaldo Silva paid a visit to the Brazilian exhibitions at Casa Brasil, at Somerset House in London this Tuesday.

The athlete, who holds the greater number of Paralympic medals amongst Brazilians, next to the former sprinter Ádria Santos, checked out the contemporary arts and design exhibition “From the Margin to the Edge”.

Clodoaldo has a cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen at birth, which has affected his legs movement and has caused a slight lack of coordination. The “Paralympic Shark” has also visited the exhibition “Brasil: The time is now.”

Since Beijing 2008, Clodoaldo has been competing in the S5 sport class category. In the latest edition of the Paralympic Games where he competed in the S4 category at the Athens Games in 2004, he won six gold medals. Finally, the athlete has visited the exhibition “Passion and Transformation” that shows the transformation process that Rio de Janeiro is going through since it has been elected host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 
Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

National Paralympic Committees visit exhibitions in Casa Brasil

Rio 2016 ™ is performing in London a series of breakfasts for the National Paralympic Committees, in order for those to have an initial contact with representatives of the Rio 2016™ Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committees. The first breakfast was held last weekend and on the occasion representatives of the NPC’s had the chance to see the contemporary art and design exhibitions in Casa Brasil.

Aside from attending a presentation with the project for the Paralympic Games Rio 2016™, the NPC’s representatives received support materials and the Rio 2016™ Pre-Paralympic Games Training Camps Guides which was launched at the time.

Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

Patients and staff from Saint Thomas hospital in London showed support for Rio 2016™

Rio 2016™ employees visited Saint Thomas Hospital in central London on Friday. During the visit, the Rio 2016™ team was thrilled with the support and care shown by patients and staff from the unit. The cake below was baked specially for the occasion.

The action provided unforgettable moments for the Rio 2016 ™ team. The Olympic medallist and Rio 2016 ™ Sport Competition Manager Ricardo Prado was present at the event and took pictures with patients and staff from the unit.

Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016 ™

Samsung video celebrates the sportsmanship of the Paralympic Movement

A video on You Tube calls attention for showing the sportsmanship and competitive spirit of the Paralympic Movement. The video shows that competing at the Paralympic Games is not related to having a disability or not, but to the athletes'enthusiasm. Check out:



On YouTube, the video by Samsung, Rio 2016 ™ worldwide olympic partner, is followed by the message below:

Sport doesn't care where you're from, if you're a man or a woman, tall, thin, big or short. Sport doesn't care how you got here, how much money you make, what you believe in or not. It doesn't care if you have two legs, one leg or wheels. Sport only cares that you're here to take part and give your all to win.

IPC discloses images captured by cameras incorporated Paralympic delegations

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) released images captured by cameras imbedded into national Paralympic delegation members during the preparation and the parade of the national delegations during the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London. This is the 14th edition of the Summer Paralympic Games and it's the first time that the IPC promotes such an action.

One day before the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games, Rio 2016 ™ receives journalists at Casa Brazil

Last Tuesday the Rio 2016 ™ Organising Committee received journalists from around the world in a closed event  for press and guests only, at Somerset House, where Casa Brazil is located in London.

With one day to go for the Opening Ceremony of the London Paralympic Games, Rio 2016 ™ expects to receive thousands of visitors to the exhibitions at Casa Brazil. During the London 2012 Olympic Games, the activities held at Casa Brasil, such as art exhibitions and live shows, received over 25.000 visitors.

The Rio 2016™ Paralympic Integration Manager, Mariana Mello, attended the event. She is part of the Rio 2016™ team of observers present in the British capital during the Paralympic Games.The Sports Director of the Rio 2016 ™ Organising Committee, Agberto Guimarães, also attended the event and answered questions from journalists at Somerset House.

The Brazilian Paralympic Committee produced a video for the event and the organization's president, Andrew Parsons, highlighted the importance of Casa Brazil to convey the spirit of the country during the Paralympic Games in London, the latest edition of the summer Olympics before the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games.



Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016 ™

IPC President praises Rio 2016™ video presentation

The President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Philip Craven, has praised the presentation made ​​by the Rio 2016 ™ Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and said he was very optimistic about the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games.

According to Philip Craven, the video format of the Rio 2016™ presentation clearly demonstrates that Rio 2016™ has been giving equal treatment to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"I was particularly happy to watch the Rio 2016™ presentation to the IOC and see photos of the venues and the Olympic disciplines that will use them on the left and the Paralympic disciplines on the right. This shows that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are being given equal treatment, just as at London 2012”, said Craven at a press conference for journalists from all around the world last Sunday, 26 August.

The presentation to the International Olympic Committee the president of the IPC referred to was made ​​five weeks ago during the London Olympic Games.

Photo: Divulgation IPC

Brazilians get excited dring the Olympic flag handover, at an event in Somerset House. It's Rio's turn!

The Brazilians who were invited to the party at Somerset House on the night of the Closing Ceremony of the London Games in 2012, became quite excited at the time of Olympic flag handover to Rio de Janeiro. Some raised the flag of Brazil at the beginning of the eight-minute presentation performed by the Rio 2016 ™team.

Another moment that drew applause and shouts of "Woohoo" from the audience was when Pelé surprised everyone at the end of the ceremony.

Now it's Rio's turn! We say farewell to London and will continue overseeing the work towards the planet's biggest sporting event at the Cidade Maravilhosa. See you in Rio!

Photos: Rio 2016™

Winners of the Rio 2016™ quiz on Facebook received prizes at Casa Brasil

Two winners of the Rio 2016™ quiz on Facebook were at Somerset House, where Casa Brasil is located in London, this Monday, to pick up their prizes. Locals from Rio, Cilas Nascimento and Carol Montenegro are studying in London since September 2011. They posed next to the panel with the Olympic and Paralympic Rio 2016™logos.

Cilas, who is doing masters in design and branding, will deliver his final essay, which is on the design and branding on the Rio 2016™ Games, next month. In October, the couple returns to Rio and will closely monitor the work of the Rio 2016 ™ Organising Committee to achieve the greatest sporting event on the planet for the first time in South America. 
Photo: Rio 2016™

Commemorative coin launched by "Banco Central do Brasil" on behalf of the Flag Handover Ceremony

This is one of the commemorative coins to celebrate the Olympic flag handover to Brazil, launched by the Banco Central do Brasil, this saturday night! The warm up for the Rio 2016™ Games began allready!

Photo: ©Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

Team Brazil crew sets objectives for 2016

At a press conference held this morning at Somerset House, where Casa Brasil is located in London, the Brazilian Olympic Committee set goals for Team Brazil for the Rio 2016 Games. According to the Sports Superintendent from The Brazilian Olympic Committee, Marcus Vinícius Freire, in order to get medals in at least 10 sports at the 2016 Games, there will be more focus on individual sports, such as athletics and swimming, among others, and keep up the work on team sports, such as volleyball, basketball and soccer.

Last day of Brazilian Happy Hour at Somerset House is of good weather and Carnival

This Saturday will be the last day of the Brazilian Happy Hour at the courtyard of Somerset House, where Casa Brasil is located in London. The weather in London is very nice since last Wednesday and it will certainly be a beautiful night today. The program will begin with the ban Sargento Pimenta, which plays Beatle's songs in a very Brazilian rythm and will finish with Paiso School of Samba, which is an UK based Samba Schoool which is known for its performances at Notting Hill Carnival.

This will be Sargento Pimenta's fourth presentation at the Brazilian Happy Hour at Somerset House, which began on the 28th of July bringing the spirit of the country to the heart of London. Todays program is being called See you in 2016.

Photo: Rio 2016™

Highlights of the Flag Handover Ceremony in the expectation for the event

Artists who will participate of the Flag Handover Ceremony to Rio de Janeiro attended a press conference for journalists from the whole world this Friday. The singer B-Negão, the model Alessandra Ambrósio and Renato Sorriso, well-known personality at Rio's Carnival, have high expectations about the event, that will happen on Sunday, during the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Photo: ©Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

Highlight of the Flag Handover, Sorriso visits exhibition Passion and Transformation at Somerset House

Known for sweeping Sapucaí Avenue with much joy and balance after each parade of the Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro, since the 80's, Renato Sorriso (Smile), squandered sympathy during his visit to the Passion and Transformation exhibition at Somerset House in London, where Casa Brasil is located.

Sorriso became an icon for the trash collectors in Rio de Janeiro and was always very proud of their profession. Comlurb, a municipal autarchy of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most respected public institutions in the city.

The Flag Handover Ceremonies will have eight minutes each during the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games London 2012.

Photos: ©Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

Funky rythm will invade the Brazilian Happy-Hour at Somerset House this Friday

This Friday's Brazilian Happy Hour at Somerset House, in the center of London, will rock the skeletons of the ones who show up. The program will be dedicated to funky music and is being called "Funky Brazil". The evening will start with DJ's to warm up the event and will go on with the Brazilian band Mafua de Ya Ya. After that, more DJ's will continue the party and the band Da Lata will play a set of Brazilian classic songs. The Brazilian Happy Hour at Somerset House at 6:30 p.m and ends at 10:00 p.m. The entrance is at free admission.

Athlete of the century, Pelé, surprises people in the Rio 2016 ™ Official Store at Casa Brasil

Happy were the ones who decided to shop in Rio 2016 ™ Official Store at Casa Brasil in London this Thursday. The Athlete of the Century and King of Football, Pelé, greatest player of all time, surprised people who were lucky enough to go to the store at the time the former player visited the place.

On occasion, Pelé showed his support for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 ™.

Photos: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™

Brazilian happy hour at Somerset House promises to be lively on Thursday

The sunny day this Thursday is suitable for a Brazilian happy hour at Somerset House. Before lunchtime, many children are playing in the refreshing fountains of the courtyard, enjoying the good weather.

The night of Wednesday, presenting the band's Sergeant Pepper, who plays Beatles' classics, was thrilled. Hundreds of people began arriving in late afternoon and left the courtyard filled in the evening.

On Thursday there will be jazz, bossa nova and other Brazilian rhythms presentations' with the singer Monica Vasconcelos and the band Saravah Soul, which will end the night.

Photos: Rio 2016™

According to tabloid, Jess is "on the road to Rio 2016"

According to the tabloid "Daily Star", the 26 year-old athlete Jess Ennis, winner of the heptathlon at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is on her way to Rio 2016™. As written in the article published on this Thursday's newspaper, Jess understands she achieved her peak performance at the London Games, but still wishes to participate in the Rio 2016™ Games and end her career in a positive way.

 Photo: ©Pascal Le Segratain / Getty Images

Diving athlete of the project "Olympic Experience" has fun in the courtyard of Somerset House

The athlete of the "Olympic Experience" Andressa Mendes had fun in the courtyard of Somerset House, where Casa Brasil is located in London, on Tuesday. The diving athlete, who is accustomed to jumping, but to the bottom of the pools, drew the attention of the regulars from the local while improvising a demonstration on firm ground.

Her traveling companions who are also part of the project, Bruno Matheus (triathlon, left) and Isaquias Santos (canoeing, right) were also at Casa Brasil. The "Olympic Experience" project, promoted by the Brazilian Olympic Committee, is intended only for individual or double sports athletes.
Photo: Wander Roberto / 2016 ™

General Secretary of Albanian Olympic Committee talks about his son who is in Brazil

The General Secretary of the Albanian Olympic Committee, Stavri Bello, talked about his son, who is in Brazil for work at a famous online selling company during this month. According to the General Secretary, his son attended the California Institute of Technology, one of the most respected ones in the area, at the United States.

Bello visited the contemporary art exhibition "From the Margin to the Edge" at Casa Brasil, together with other NOC representatives from Europe and Africa, and said he is very optimistic about the Rio 2016™ Games. He also visited the exhibitions "Brazil the time is now" and Passion and Transformation, that will be at Somerset House until the 8th of September.

Photo: Wander Roberto / Rio 2016™