The Olympic Committee of Brazil (COB) approved on Wednesday (29) the joint candidacy of the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói to the Pan American and Parapan American Games of 2031. They voted in the assembly held in the state capital representatives of sports confederations representatives and the COB Athletes Commission. There were 48 votes in favor, one against and one blank.
The two cities were the only candidates in Brazil to host the events, after São Paulo gave up the election on the 16th and declared support to them. The next step is to make the postulation official until the 31st with Panam Sports, a institution responsible for the games on the continent. On May 1st, Panam Sports will publicize which cities can remain in the dispute. In addition to Brazil, only Paraguay officialized an application with the city of Asuncion.
“Let’s see what the candidate cities are and go to political construction. Sit with the confederations of America, talk to Paraguay and see if it is possible to make a deal. Let’s start working for Rio and Niterói to be confirmed as the games headquarters, ”said COB President Marco La Porta.
The mayor of Niterói, Rodrigo Neves, COB president Marco Antônio La Porta, Sport Minister André Fufuca, and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, approving the candidacy of the two cities to the 2031 Pan American Games – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
The candidacy has the support of the federal government. On Friday (24), the mayors of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, and Niterói, Rodrigo Neves, were at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, to talk to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A GUARANTEE LETTERon behalf of the federal government, to be presented to Panam Sports.
The last time Brazil hosted the Pan American Games was in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro. The city was also the scene of the 2016 Olympic Games and one of the 2014 World Cup headquarters. This accumulated experience over the last few years is one of the candidacy bets to be successful.
“I’m sure we will come out victorious and make the games with a lot of quality. The structure is ready, there is little that needs to be done and will be provisional structures. We can focus a lot on sport and legacy, ”said Rio mayor Eduardo Paes.
“These games represent an extraordinary legacy for the population and the development of the Rio Metropolitan Region. The subway line 3 project is certainly very important for the development of the river and the metropolitan region. But I emphasize our conviction that the mark of this Pan 2031 will be a legacy for the sport. We are able to, for the next generations, raise the country to the condition of developed in education, culture and sport, ”added Niterói Mayor Rodrigo Neves.
