Eric Maleson in London's Heathrow Airport - Go Rio! Rio de Janeiro wins bid to host 2016 Summer Games!
October 2, 2009 - The Brazilian Ice Sports Federation (CBDG) congratulates the Rio 2016 organizing committee for their unprecedented success in bringing the games to South America for the first time.
CBDG president Eric Maleson and secretary general Lisa Papandrea were in London on their way home from heading up the Brazilian figure skating delegation in Germany when they received the news.
"It was between Rio and Madrid when we had to head for our gate," said Papandrea, "And as we hurried along the corridor at Heathrow, Eric pointed at the wall ahead of us where I could see there was a huge mural of Cristo Redentor, Rio's famous statue. That's when we both knew that Rio would win. As we boarded, I asked the flight attendant if there was any way to notify us on the plane and he said he'd try. When we saw him hurrying down the aisle fifteen mintues later he had two thumbs up and Eric and I started to cry. People around us looked concerned and I had to reassure them that we were crying out of happiness!"
As a member of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, CBDG will be involved in this historic time for Brazil and hopes to take advantage of the benefits as Australia did when they won the bid for Sydney in 2000. "Australia successfully used the Olympic summer momentum to also develop its winter program," said Papandrea, "CBDG will continue in building the necessary infrastructure in Brazil to practice ice sports which are quickly growing in popularity."
"We have a huge opportunity," said CBDG president and Rio de Janeiro native Eric Maleson, "The world will be focusing on Brazil, discovering Brazil and realizing that it's a big place. I always thought of my country as a sleeping giant - now we awaken and we will show the world that Brazil is a major player. With a population of over 190 million, Brazil is the 10th largest economy in the world and the plan is to become the 5th in the near future. This is our opportunity to shine - to show what we can do. Brazil has it all and we can't wait to share our culture and natural beauty with the world. It's a very exciting time for my country and I am extremely proud."
"I would like to congratulate Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) President Mr. Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Mr. Joao Havelange, Mr. Carlos Roberto Osorio, and everyone at COB for their vision, stamina and relentless hard work," Maleson continued, "Congratulations also to Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral and Mayor Eduardo Paes. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for all of their sacrifice and dedication."
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