Brazil Using Pan Ams as Springboard to Rio 2016 -- On the Scene

(ATR) Brazil’s Olympic Committee said it spent nearly US$3 million on its Toronto 2015 mission, the last major preparation for Rio 2016.

Executive director Marcus Freire said the team support staff included a four-person video analysis unit, three nutritionists, 51 medical and physiotherapy professionals and seven sport psychologists. Some 140 athletes staged at York University and are planning to do the same at a military base before Rio 2016. There was a Brazil House for family and friends in Toronto. Cisco and Embratel combined to develop an app to monitor team members.

By July 24, Brazil was third with 121 medals — 34 gold, 34 silver and 53 bronze — behind leading United States (226) and Canada (187). President Carlos Nuzman said 40% of the 590 athletes achieved a medal. Swimmer Thiago Pereira became the all-time Pan American Games medal champ with his 23rd at Toronto 2015.

"We are also here taking some important points of the lessons that we’re learning," Nuzman said. "Even though we can’t compare the Pan American Games with the Olympic Games."

Asked what specifically Rio 2016 would emulate about Toronto, Nuzman said: "maybe there are some details, some things, I’m not here to speak to that, because I’m overall very pleased."

Officials held the news conference before the weekend because they are traveling to Kuala Lumpur for the IOC session.

Closing Ceremony Theme Revealed

Toronto 2015’s closing ceremony is on the theme of "unity through diversity," said CEO Saad Rafi.

"It reflects very well the atmosphere of these entire Games," Rafi said. "The ceremony will reflect the enthusiasm and camaraderie of these past 16 days and, as tradition has it, also will celebrate the athletes."

He said there will be 150 broadcast cameras, more than 300 lighting fixtures and performers wearing 500 costumes made of 3,000 yards of fabric.

The Hamilton Children’s Choir will perform as the steel cauldron, made in Hamilton by ArcelorMittal Dofasco, is extinguished.

Rafi said the focus will then shift to the Aug. 7-15 Parapan Games.

"I just cannot emphasize enough the fierce talent and competition that we’re going to see from August 7 to the 15th," he said. "It is worthy of your attention. It is worthy of filled houses of spectators and cheering fans, just as we’ve seen for the Pan Am Games. These athletes deserve nothing less."

Written by Bob Mackinin Toronto

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