The mayors of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, and of Niterói, Rodrigo Neves, officially presented the logo of the joint bid of both cities to host the 2031 Pan American and Parapan American Games. The event took place on Friday at the Isabel Salgado Olympic Educational Gymnasium, located in the Olympic Park, and showed the world a symbol designed with the representative characteristics of both cities: it evokes the sun, the union of sister cities and their shared passion for sport.
The Rio-Niterói 2031 bid logo is composed of colored rays that symbolize bridges, both real and symbolic, between the two cities. The curved and dynamic shapes represent the sun as a symbol of renewal and hope, as well as the movement of sport and life. The warm shades of orange and yellow represent Niterói, known as the city of the setting sun, while the blue tones evoke the sea, the sky and the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro. Together, these hues intertwine like an embrace, reflecting the connection and energy of this joint project.
A sporting and urban legacy for the metropolitan region
During the presentation, the mayor of Niterói, Rodrigo Neves, highlighted the positive impact this bid could have on the metropolitan region. “This will not only be a legacy for Niterói and Rio, but also for the entire region, in terms of urban infrastructure, sports and mobility,” he said.
For his part, Eduardo Paes stressed the importance of the Olympic legacy in the bid. “We launched this logo in a school that represents the legacy of the Olympic Games. This space, which was the Carioca 3 Arena, is now a school for a thousand students, focused on education and sport,” he said.
Next steps for the Rio-Niterói 2031 bid
The next key step for the bid will be the delivery of the official dossier, scheduled for April 30. This document will be evaluated by the Pan American Sports Organization -Panam Sports-, which will make the candidate cities official the following day.
Besides Rio and Niteroi, only Asuncion, Paraguay, has expressed interest in hosting the 2031 Games. The election of the winning city is scheduled for August, with date and place yet to be defined.
An event that celebrates the union of the Americas
The logo also celebrates the transformative power of sport and its ability to unite the peoples of the Americas. Beyond the competition, the 2031 Pan American Games will be a sporting celebration that will leave a legacy of cooperation and development among the participating nations.
The president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Marco La Porta, expressed his confidence in the impact of this bid. “This bid will further promote the practice of sports, and I am sure that both Rio and Niteroi will benefit greatly,” he concluded.
