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IOC Coordination Commission successfully wraps up first visit to Rio

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro successfully concluded its first visit to the Brazilian host city, with Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel saying she was pleased with the outcome of the three-day series of meetings. In addition to talks with key figures of the Rio Games project, including members of the federal, state and city governments, Minister Orlando Silva, Governor Sérgio Cabral, and Mayor Eduardo Paes, the Commission also got a first-hand look at the venues and was provided with detailed information by the Games organisers. The Commission was pleased to hear about the progress being made by the Organising Committee in a number of areas, such as sport, marketing, and branding, as well as the other operational elements that Rio 2016 has already set in motion. The Brazilian government gave a presentation to the Commission on the Olympic Delivery Authority (APO) — the body tasked with developing and building new venues and infrastructure, and which will facilitate coordination between the three levels of local government (federal, state, and city). The authorities explained the process of the APO’s creation and outlined the roles and responsibilities of the partners involved. The Commission underlined that it was important for the APO to become operational as quickly as possible because of the great amount of work that still needed to be completed ahead of the Games. The Commission visited a number of venues that will play important roles during the Games, including the RioCentro Convention Centre, Rio OIympic Arena, Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre and João Havelange Stadium, and also met representatives from Brazilian television networks Record and Globo.The Coordination Commission will make its second visit to Rio next year. Information and photo by www.olympic.org

London 2012 mascots launched to the world

Matthew Curtain, London 2012 Weightlifting & Paralympic Powerlifting Manager has announced that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) unveiled its Olympic mascot, Wenlock, and Paralympic mascot, Mandeville. Wenlock and Mandeville were created from the last drops of steel left over from the construction of the final support girder for the Olympic Stadium.  An animated film, based on a story by children’s author Michael Morpurgo, shows how the figures were brought to life and are able to reflect and adapt to their surroundings, changing their appearance depending on the situation. Wenlock and Mandeville will now go on separate journeys, often crossing paths and meeting people all over the UK inspiring them to choose sport as they head towards the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.The mascots’ names reflect the UK’s rich Olympic and Paralympic histories. Wenlock’s name is inspired by the Shropshire village of Much Wenlock where the ‘Wenlock Games’ was one of the inspirations that led  the founder of the modern Olympic movement Baron Pierre de Coubertin to create the Olympic Games. Mandeville’s name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire. In the 1940s, Dr.Ludwig Guttmann came to Stoke Mandeville Hospital to set up a new spinal unit to help former soldiers suffering from spinal cord injuries. Looking for ways to inspire those in his care, he encouraged them to take up sport, leading to the formation of the Stoke Mandeville Games, widely recognised as a forerunner of the modern Paralympic movement.   LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe commented: “We’ve created our mascots for children. They will connect young people with sport and tell the story of our proud Olympic and Paralympic history. By linking young people to the values of sport, Wenlock and Mandeville will help inspire kids to strive to be the best they can be.”Reflecting London 2012’s vision to appeal to young people, both Wenlock and Mandeville will naturally have significant presence online, with their own website at www.london2012.com/mascots which is linked to their individual Twitter and Facebook sites. These sites will give the public a chance to follow the mascots’ journey and interact with them.To celebrate the launch of the mascots, a limited edition run of t-shirts and pin badges has been made available for sale from today on the London 2012 online shop. With the main range of product going on sale this summer, this preview range is set to become a collector’s item in years to come.Wenlock and Mandeville were designed by London creative agency Iris, following an intensive selection process that included UK wide focus groups of young people, families and industry experts.  Source and more information: www.london2012.com,

YOG preparations into high gear

With less than three months to go before the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) kick off in Singapore, preparations are shifting into final gear –reported The Straits Times earlier this week. The Singapore website reports that from this weekend over 700 athletes from 30 National Olympic Committees will descend on the Republic for a final series of test events.A total of 10 sports will be featured, namely archery, athletics, basketball, canoeing-kayaking, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, tennis, volleyball and weightlifting.This is the second round of what organisers call the Friendship Games, which were first held in January and showcased sports such as judo and fencing.Said Singapore YOG Organising Committee chief Goh Kee Nguan: 'We are now entering the final leg of preparations. The validation exercises will further ensure that we are operationally ready for the Games.'