Rings from London Games Reach Rio

(ATR) Olympic Rings displayed in Newcastle, United Kingdom for the London 2012 Games found a new home in Rio de Janeiro.

The rings adorned the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle before and during the Games before being moved to Madureira Park on May 20. An unveiling ceremony was attended by Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman, and IOC Coordination Commission chair Nawal el Moutawakel.

Moutawakel is in Rio de Janeiro for an IOC project review on the progress of the 2016 Games.

"The rings are the largest representation of the Olympic Movement and are amongst the most recognizable symbols of the world, being immediately associated with the Games," Nuzman said in a statement.

"It is a great opportunity and push for Rio de Janeiro to get into the mood of the memorable 2016 Games."

Madureira Park will serve as one of three live-sites for the public to watch Olympic competition during the Games.

The park is located in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, and was chosen to display the rings by the organizing committee to "[integrate] the whole city with the Games."

"It’s a gesture of friendship, to connect two people who may never meet, but now have something in common," Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, said to the Newcastle Chronicle.

"Newcastle and Rio are cities which value sport and the Games embody this power of unity. It’s fantastic to see the rings that once adorned the Tyne Bridge now five thousand miles away in Madureira Park."

Lagoa Stabbing

A fourth stabbing since October was reported outside the Lagoa de Freitas.

A man cycling on the path around the Olympic rowing venue died from his injuries after he was stabbed on May 19. It is the latest in a series of similar crimes in the past eight months according to a report in O Globo.

The Brazilian newspaper is asking citizens to text information to +51 21 99999-9110 on WhatsApp if they have been the victim of a crime or witnessed one in the vicinity of the Lagoa.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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