The German, a football passionate, enjoyed some time at the Carioca Barra da Tijuca beach
IOC President, Thomas Bach, took advantage of his time in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of ceremony to mark one year to the Games, to enjoy some beach soccer time on Barra da Tijuca beach.
Despite having just landed after a 20-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur, Bach did not seem in the slightest bit jaded as he played beach soccer on Wednesday (4 August) afternoon. The only surprise was that the German missed one of the penalties that he took. But then he was up against Gilmar Rinaldi, a World Cup-winning goalkeeper who is now the Brazilian Football Federation’s technical director.
Bach showed himself impressed with the bright futre ahead, as he spoke with a host of current and former Olympians from Brazil, some of whom are involved in organising the Rio 2016 Games. “You’ve been doing a great job for some years,” he said. “I’m sure that one year from now everyone will be enchanted by the passion of the Brazilian people, as well as the efficiency of Brazil.”
After the IOC chief was presented with a personalised Brazil shirt, he cooled off with a paddle in the sea as a beautiful sunset unfolded, and spoke of his faith in the Rio 2016 Games. “There will be a Rio de Janeiro before the Olympic Games and a Rio de Janeiro, better, after the Olympic Games,” he said.
Source: Rio2016.com
