But Rousseff, who is due to take over on January 1, has dropped plans to set-up a separate Ministry exclusively to oversee preparations for Rio 2016.

The 39-year-old Silva was a key figure in Brazil's successful bids to host the 2014 FIFA Soccer Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Silva, who was was appointed as Sports Minister by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in March 2006, will have a vital role to play in Rousseff's new Government.

There are increasing concerns about Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup and which last week was criticised by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who warned that they must step-up the pace of construction work. 

Meanwhile, there are fears that the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio could be overshadowed by security fears.

Last month the Brazilian military launched action drug traffickers in Rio's slums.

The two-week crackdown on drug traffickers in two main slum areas led to 118 arrests and 518 weapons seizures.

Nearly 40 suspected dealers were also killed.



Silva, who is married to to actress Ana Cristina Petta (pictured) and is a big fan of the samba, held a number of key roles before he became Sports Minister.

He was secretary of National Sports, National Sports Education Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Sports.

But some critics believe that Silva was lucky to survive a financial scandal in 2008 which forced Brazil's Minister for Racial Equality, Matilde Ribeiro, to resign. 

It led to Silva having to return $30,000 (£19,500) to the Brazilian Treasury.

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