Blair says Brazil will not disappoint in the 2016 Olympics
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair spoke with confidence about the organization of the Brazilian Olympic Games in 2016, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
"I'm sure, Brazil will not disappoint," Blair said during a seminar on development and infrastructure at sporting events held in São Paulo.
Faced with several representatives from the business of the country and received by the authorities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the former prime minister added that a sporting event on the scale of an Olympics is an opportunity for cultural development, environmental and social of the city.
Blair said it was a fantastic city to be chosen as Olympic host, Blair lived the same experience some years ago when London was chosen to host the 2012 Games, but said it makes no sense to hold the Games without leverage them to "inspire citizens " and also to help grow the event.
For the Formal British Prime Minister, the Olympics is an opportunity to show the world in the process of change, something represented by the Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, and how the sport is linked to development.
Blair also spoke about the Games budget, Blair recalled that in projects of this magnitude there are always discrepancies between the original budget and final cost, which in the case of London said it was considerable, but variable and difficult to quantify.
"I'd be surprised if there was an example of the Olympic Games in which the original budget was equal to the final budget," he said.
However, the former prime minister proved optimistic all the time and minimized the importance of the inconveniences, since for him "at the end, the benefits are enormous. It's worth."
In turn, the elected governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, has ensured that the Games will leave a tangible legacy in the form of improvements in sanitation, transportation and tourism development, but also intangible, “the esteem of the Brazilian people”.
Over 600 businessmen attended to the seminar, among them was also the Sports Minister Orlando Silva, the governor of São Paulo, Alberto Goldman, and the mayors of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Eduardo Paes and Gilberto Kassab.