Security drill for Rio 2016 opening completed successfully

The Special Security Secretariat for Large-Scale Events (SESGE) has run the third security drill for the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to take place on August 5. The drill, which took place Sunday (Jul. 17), involved about 2,000 personnel to try out the integrated operation details, with a simulated circulation of officials, athletes, volunteers, and organizers that will be at the Olympics.

The drill used more than 700 vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, vans, ambulances, buses, and helicopters. About 250 buses ran on the arrival and departure routes leading to Maracanã Stadium, where the opening ceremony will take place. Felipe Seixas, Coordinator at SESGE, says the drills were a complete success.

“We are confident that we're ready for the opening ceremony. The National Force escorting the athletes and the security for heads of state and Brazilian officials were all very positive. We had no disruptions,” Seixas said.

The operation involved Federal Police, the Federal Highway Police, Military Police, the National Public Security Force, the Fire Department, the Armed Forces, as well as the local traffic operations services and the Municipal Guard.

Cristiano Sampaio, regional security coordinator for the Olympic Games, said “the entire operation was a very complex one. We deployed [the personnel] on the streets, we timed routes. We are pleased with the results,” he said. A Municipal Guard officer who chose to remain anonymous noted that there were no complaints about the drill from the population nor significant traffic jams in the city.

According to information from the state government, 3,300 public security personnel will be deployed at the surrounding of Maracanã Stadium for the opening ceremony on August 5.

Translated by Mayra Borges