The Brazilian Olympic Committee marked World Blood Donor Day with a blood drive at its headquarters ©Rafael Bello/COB

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) has taken part in a blood drive, with Olympic champions among those donating and encouraging others to follow suit.

Approximately 60 people gave blood at the COB headquarters, coinciding with the "Red June" campaign and World Blood Donor Day, which fell on Monday (June 14).

Los Angeles 1984 volleyball medallist and International Olympic Committee member Bernard Rajzman was among those to donate.

So too was Adriana Behar, twice an Olympic silver medallist in beach volleyball and now chief executive of the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation.

Judoka Rogério Sampaio - a Barcelona 1992 gold medallist and now the general director of the COB, said it was "a great joy" to give potentially live-saving blood.

Two-time Olympic silver medallist Adriana Behar was among those to give blood ©Getty Images
Two-time Olympic silver medallist Adriana Behar was among those to give blood ©Getty Images

The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions put in place across the globe in response have generally made it harder for health authorities to maintain blood stocks.

The COB's blood drive was organised in partnership with Hemorio, which supplies blood in Rio de Janeiro state.

"COB understands the importance of blood donation," Sampaio said.

"That's why we brought the possibility of carrying out this campaign here inside our headquarters. 

"We mobilise employees, former athletes - people who are often a reference for society, and being able to contribute to saving the lives of so many people is a great joy."