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Venezuela strengthens cooperation with Brazil on Olympic Games

Xinhua, March 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Venezuela's Youth and Sports Minister, Mervin Maldonado, met with Brazilian Ambassador, Roy Carlos Pereira, on Wednesday to discuss various topics relating to the upcoming Olympic Games 2016 to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

"There are less than five months until the Olympic Games begin and Brazil will be worthy host not only to the Venezuelans but also to all the athletes from all over the world. We continue strengthening ties in sport with one of the world powers that is also one of our brothers," said Maldonado during the meeting.

During the meeting, different topics were discussed, including the progress in infrastructure, logistics and Brazil's capacity to host the multi-discipline event with all the necessary guarantees.

"Brazil is the first country in South American to host this great sport event and we should feel proud of this great achievement and support the Olympic and Paralympic Games' organization," said the Venezuelan minister.

The Brazilian diplomat highlighted the Venezuelan government's organization and support given to the Venezuelan delegation and its attention to the athletes as well as its communications strategy.

"In Brazil, substantial work surrounding logistics is being carried out to be worthy hosts and it is important we know how each sport ministry in every participating country is organized. I dare say that Venezuela is among the best and with great communication work, as well as having a great slogan for their athletes, 'Vamos Pa' Rio' ('Let's Go To Rio')," said Pereira.

The President of the National Institute for Sport, Pedro Infante; the Vice-Minister for High Performance, Jose Alejandro Teran; and the Director for High Competition, Franklin Cardillo, also attended the bilateral meeting where a sports agreement was reached between both nations.

"In Venezuela there is sports talent and I am very happy that these types of agreements exist where athletes benefit and the aim is to give universal access to sport all over the world," said the ambassador.

Currently, 50 Venezuelan athletes have qualified for the 2016 Games and 103 are still going through the qualification process. The South American country aims to have more athletes qualified this year than in the 2012 Games held in London. Endit