The Brazilian Ambassador to Bulgaria, H. E. Ms. Ana Maria Sampaio Fernandes gave a reception at the embassy

on the occasion of the upcoming 31th Olympic Games and 15th Paralympic Games, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro. The Garden party was attended by ambassadors, journalists and many athletes, their coaches, heads of sports federations and institutions and others.

Among the guests were the Minister of Youth and Sports Krassen Kralev, the Vice President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and rector of the National Sports Academy „Vasil Levski“ prof. Pencho Geshev, the chairman of the Bulgarian Paralympic Association Ilia Lalov, etc.

In her welcome speech Her Excellency Ana Maria Sampaio Fernandes said:

„...In ancient Greece, the cradle of philosophical ideas that still inspire and shape our civilization,  the Olympic Games marked a moment when all conflicts were suspended, to allow for athletes to travel safely and to participate peacefully in the competition.  These days, Brazilian authorities are working hand in hand with their counterparts from friendly countries to guarantee that delegations and spectators will be able to compete and enjoy the Games in Rio safely.

The successful hosting of the Games in Rio will be the result of years of planning and dedicated work by the Brazilian authorities, and excellent cooperation between the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee and other international Olympic partners, including the London authorities responsible for the previous and very successful Olympic Games of 2012.

Your Excellency Minister Kralev, I congratulate you on the work of your Ministry for the development of sports in Bulgaria. I would like to pay tribute to the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and its President Madam Stefka Kostadinova, and to the various Sport Federations of this country; due to their effort and dedication, Bulgaria is taking a delegation of 52 high level athletes to Rio Olympic Games in various sports.   I also pay tribute to the Bulgarian Paralympic Association, in the person of its President Mr. Lalov, for their unfettered commitment and special dedication to prepare the athletes that will participate in Rio Paralympic Games.

My Brazilian compatriots, thank you for your presence at this celebration. Our country and its institutions are now faced with the difficult task of improving the political life and resuming the economic growth with fiscal sustainability and social solidarity. The organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a challenge for every city and country. The success of the Games in Rio de Janeiro will remind us that Brazil, besides being beautiful by nature, is blessed by God

I want to express our best wishes to the Bulgarian delegation to the Rio 2016 Games.  Be safe, enjoy yourselves and let your athletes compete to their best and make Bulgaria proud.  Our most famous landmark, Christ Redeemer, will be waiting for you with his open arms on top of Corcovado, and so will be the friendly Brazilian people...“

Photos: „Diplomatic Spectrum“
1. Prof. Pencho Geshev, vice President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and rector of the National Sports Academy „Vasil Levski“, Mr. Krassen Kralev, Minister of Youth and Sports, H.E.  Ms. Ana Maria Sampaio Fernandes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Bulgaria, Mr. Ilia Lalov, chairman of the Bulgarian Paralympic Association.
2. H. E. Mr. Krzysztof Kraevski , Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Poland and H. E. Mr. Stavros Avgustidis, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cyprus in Bulgaria
3. Ekaterina Pavlova, editor in chief of Diplomatic Spectrum, H.E. Ms. Latifa Akharbash, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bulgaria.
4. H. E. Ms. Latifa Benazza, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Algeria Republic in Bulgaria.
5. Prof. Pencho Geshev, vice President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and rector of the National Sports Academy „Vasil Levski“, Mr. Hristo Paskalev – Pascal, singer and part of the wrestling team with the official clothing of the Bulgarian delegation.
6. Guests
7. A demonstration of the Brazilian martial art capoeira
8. The team of wrestlers with officials