By Duncan Mackay at the Windsor Atlântica Hotel in Rio de Janeiro

IOC President Thomas Bach has held talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff about Rio 2016 ©IOCThere are no fears that safety will overshadow next year's Olympic Games here, despite a recent upsurge in violence which saw four policeman killed last weekend, Thomas Bach has promised.


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) head claimed after a two-hour meeting in Brasilia with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff that he remained confident athletes, officials and spectators would not be in any danger. 

An officer from a special unit for security at major events, including last year's FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, died on Sunday (February 22) after being shot seven times.

The previous day a civil police inspector had been killed in the northern Baixada Fluminense suburb.

Two other policeman were also killed, one in Niteroi while returning from a carnival champions' parade and another in a shoot-out following a robbery on a baker in the Nova Iguacu suburb.

But Bach has assured visitors that they have nothing to fear when they come here next year. 

"The world be made welcome and will be safe here during the Olympic Games," Bach told insidethegames after arriving back from the meeting. 

"There is no doubt that this will be case."

Less than a year after fears were raised about the rate of progress of preparations, Bach has praised Rio 2016 for getting back on track and predicted the Games will have a long-term legacy for the city and Brazil. 

"The Games will provide new infrastructure for Rio that will serve as a catalyst for growth in Rio and across the country," he said.

"The Games will also be inclusive.

"Hundreds of small businesses are being integrated into the Games and being helped to bid for contracts worth more than BRL 3 billion.

"All the 250,000 people who applied to be volunteers will receive English courses and work training.

"Every Brazilian can be a real part of the Olympic Games in Rio."

Bach was accompanied to the Brazilian capital by Nawal El Moutawakel, chair of the IOC's Coordination Commission which is currently carrying out its latest inspection of Rio 2016.

During her visit, El Moutawakel joined Sergey Bubka to oversee a special coaching clinic for local youngsters.

Moutawakel, the first Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal when she claimed the 400 metres hurdles title at Los Angeles 1984, worked with 30 aspiring sportspeople at the Brazilian Army's Physical Training Centre.

They talked about their life experiences, offered tips and even trained alongside the youngsters.

"It was a great day," said Bubka, the Olympic gold medallist at Seoul 1988, who is also a member of the IOC Coordination Commission.

"I tried to inspire them by sharing a little of my knowledge and experience.

"Nobody is born an Olympic champion - you become a champion if you have focus and really dedicate yourself."

El Moutawakel enjoyed the experience. 

"I believe that having this contact with people who have already experienced all this can be a good lesson for those who are starting out.," she said. 

"I'm delighted to be here with these young athletes.

"It reminds me of when I started out. I think it's important for them to know that sport opened up many paths for me and I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I've had as a result of the sport I chose.

"However, it's important for them to know that there are no miracles.

"You need to love what you do, to dedicate yourself and train hard every day if you want to become a champion.

"That's what I want to convey to them."

Agberto Guimarães, the 1983 Pan American Games 800m and 1500m champion, who is now Rio 2016's Executive Director of Sport, also attended the session.

"The IOC members are all sportspeople, so for us - and I include myself in this as a former Olympic athlete - being with these young people is like going back in time, rediscovering this positive energy that sport provides," he said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]