Rio marks 6-year countdown to 2016 Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro organizers marked the six-year countdown to the 2016 Olympics on Thursday by creating a team of athletes and coaches to assist in the preparations. The organizing committee said the Sports Advisory Council was formed so athletes and coaches can help in the Games' organization, promotion and legacy. The council's president is Brazilian International Olympics Committee member Joao Havelange. Rio 2016 committee president Carlos Arthur Nuzman said Rio is following the example of London 2012 organizers, who created a similar sports council. "It will be fundamental to count on the collaboration of those who acted or is acting in the competition field," Nuzman said. "This group has extensive experience and will advise us mostly on what concerns the sports facilities and the Olympic Village." Fourteen former and active athletes and coaches have already been chosen for the council, including soccer coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, former Brazil and WNBA women's basketball player Janeth Arcain, Brazil's men's volleyball coach Bernardinho, and former tennis player Gustavo Kuerten. "Our opinion is really fundamental and I hope to contribute (so) the athletes (can) find an ideal competition environment," said Maurren Maggi, the women's long jump gold medalist in Beijing in 2008. The council is expected to hold regular meetings, and its members will directly cooperate with the sports and infrastructure departments of the organizing committee to help improve the preparation, officials said. The council's members will also assist in the promotion of the Rio 2016 Games in Brazil and abroad. During the event to announce the council, Nuzman and other officials said Rio is on track in preparing for the Olympics. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said "the preparation of the city has already begun" and "infrastructure works" are at full steam. Sports Minister Orlando Silva said Brazil is preparing to deliver the best Olympics ever. Brazil will also host the 2014 World Cup. – AP