It is getting closer! On Saturday 9th November, Rio de Janeiro celebrated 1,000 days to go until it hosts the 2016 Olympic Games, with a series of events taking place across Brazil.
In the northern Brazilian city of Belém, 1,000 young people joined together inside Mangueirão Stadium – a Rio 2016 pre-Games training venue – to form the number 1,000. The city is currently hosting the biggest ever edition of the Brazilian School Youth Games, with almost 4,000 athletes – aged between 15 and 17 years old –competing in 13 sports disciplines.
“An event like this is an excellent start for future high level athletes; it can multiply the contact with Olympic values and sports,” said Agberto Guimarães, Rio 2016 Executive Director of Sport & Paralympic Integration. “Each of these 4,000 athletes will spread this engagement through their schoolmates, teachers, friends and family. Celebrating the 1,000 days to go milestone during the competition in Belém means touching the whole country with the spirit and magic of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
IOC President Thomas Bach commented, “One thousand days remain until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games begin and young athletes across Brazil and around the world are dreaming about being part of this great celebration of sport. The Rio Games have inspired those young sports people, as well as many others, who see and understand the benefits that these Games will bring the citizens of the host city and Brazil long after the 17 days of competition have ended.”
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We are greatly looking forward to be part of the 'celebration of sport' in Rio, and know that amazing hockey on show will certainly be worth celebrating.
