El Moutawakel (pictured top right), who is also chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Rio 2016, inspectedthe newly built facility located in city's Cidade Nova neighbourhood, which is one of the major business districts in Rio.

The new headquarters will house the Organising Committee as well as the Municipal Olympic Company through to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The facility is the first to be built by Rio 2016 while it has been designed in a sustainable way so that it can be dismantled and reused after the Games if required.

"Seeing the first Games venue ready reinforces our ability to achieve," said Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman.

"Modernity and sustainability mark the new headquarters.

"The modular construction is an innovation that better suits our project.

"We will use the building according to the Committee's growth demands and, in the end, it will be possible to dismantle the structure, to reuse it elsewhere.

"Furthermore, having all teams gathered in a single building, together with the Municipal Olympic Company makes our task easier and helps to integrate the teams".


As part of sustainability measure put in place in the construction, the building has rainwater harvesting and energy saving systems as well as furniture made of certified wood.

The air conditioning system is equipped with electromagnetic components for the reduction of energy costs and temperature control by zone.

There is a LED-equipped lighting system, with low energy use, besides reflective glass permitting a better natural light use. Solar energy capturing panels and a thermo acoustic cover will also be used as part of the project.

Accessibility was also carefully considered while developing this project and the building is equipped with ramps and elevators that meet all necessary requirements, such as Braille signposting and tactile floor for orientation.

As the project is the first Rio 2016 venue, an integrated security plan will be implemented which is a model that will be used in all Rio 2016 sports and non-sports venues.

The plan is the result of a partnership with security and civil defence organisations and representatives of the fire department, Municipal Guard and Civil and Military Police will be present on site.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]