The city of São Paulo withdrew its bid to host the 2031 Pan-American and Parapan-American Games, leaving Rio de Janeiro and Niterói as the only Brazilian proposal to host the sporting event.
In a statement, the city of São Paulo and the state government informed the decision to withdraw the candidacy of the capital of São Paulo, and support those of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói.
“The decision, taken in common agreement with the government of Rio and the city halls of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, is based on the relevant infrastructure available in the two cities,” said the statement.
“The objective now is to work together so that the Pan American Games come to Brazil”, added the note.
This Thursday (16), Rio de Janeiro and Niterói delivered to the COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) the dossier of the cities’ candidacy for the Games, the deadline for interested parties to present the material.
A COB meeting scheduled for January 29th should confirm the joint candidacy as the Brazilian representative to host the 2031 Pan American and Parapan American Games.
On January 31st, the COB will send a letter to PanAm Sports, the highest entity in Pan-American sports, informing the choice of the Brazilian representative. Asunción, in Paraguay, also expressed interest in hosting the event.
“These major events are opportunities to transform the lives of cities because they end up attracting changes demanded by these cities”, said the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, when handing over the dossier to the COB.
“Our cities have the structure to host major international events. This idea of holding the Pan Rio-Niterói is linked to the idea of making sustainable candidatures, of sharing costs, and is an innovation in Brazil’s proposal for candidatures, if the COB accepts it” , said Rodrigo Neves, mayor of Niterói.
