Rio de Janeiro’s proposed stadium for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the Joo Havelange Stadium, hosted a Grand Prix athletics meet Sunday.
The stadium, built for the 2007 Pan American Games, welcomed 175 athletes from 29 countries, including six Olympic champions, with a crowd of more than eight thousand people cheering on the athletes.
Carlos Nuzman, President of Rio 2016 said, “the Grand Prix brought some of the greatest names in athletics to Rio this weekend and the level of competition was outstanding. As a further boost to our bid, our city has once again demonstrated its ability to host large-scale international sporting events safely and enjoyably for fans”.
Meanwhile, a Rio 2016 press release said 2386 seedlings are to be planted to offset 716 tons of carbon emitted over two years. The seedlings will be planted by Rio 2016 in the Parque Nacional da Pedra Branca and at facilities such as the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park and the Deodoro Sports complex.
In all, Rio 2016 will offset 716 tons of carbon to account for emissions made from September 2007 to October 2009. Included in the emissions were the 5.3 million miles of flights to domestic and international events during the campaign, which includes the Beijing 2008 Games and official presentations for the Olympic Committees of the Americas, Asia and Europe.
All regular operations at the Rio 2016 offices, including power and materials consumption, were also included.
Seedlings have already been planted in the National Park of Pedra Branca to offset 95 tons of carbon emitted during the visit of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission April 27 to May 3. This includes international travel by commission members, and operations at the Copacabana Palace Hotel.
Nuzman said, “the Rio 2016 Games will act as a catalyst for environmental legislation and programs across the three levels of government. All our activities are aligned with the city’s strategic plan for the protection of nature. It’s good to get a head start with this action now, in the application stage”.
Rio’s “Green Games” concept was outlined in its Candidature File delivered to the IOC with the planting of more than three million trees in strategic areas of Tijuca Forest.
