MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Interpol and Rio 2016 Olympics committee sign agreement to strengthen security

“Securing major sporting events which attract millions of visitors is an immense challenge to any country”, said INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.

An agreement has been signed by INTERPOL and the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for the world police body to provide additional support to the Brazilian authorities in ensuring the safety and security of the event.

As part of the agreement, an INTERPOL Major Events Support Team (IMEST) will be deployed to Brazil to provide on-site support through their connection to INTERPOL’s tools, services and databases such as Stolen and Lost Travel Documents, DNA, stolen motor vehicles and internationally wanted persons.

“The support of INTERPOL is fundamental in an event of this dimension, which involves interactions between diverse nationalities. The agreement establishes the support of the intelligence service in the fight against all actions that could affect the integrity of sports and its signing three years before the Games allows it to start to be implemented for the test events,” said Luiz Fernando Corrêa, Rio 2016 Security Director.

INTERPOL will also assist national authorities address other crime issues linked to major sporting events, through the provision of training and investigative support in illegal betting and match-fixing prevention, and combating counterfeiting and illicit trade.

“Securing major sporting events which attract millions of visitors is an immense challenge to any country and one which INTERPOL is ideally placed to support,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.

“INTERPOL’s agreement with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee is a key step in providing the widest possible law enforcement support to this iconic sporting event, and ensuring that the millions of fans, competitors and officials at the Games can enjoy them as safely and securely as possible,” added the INTERPOL Chief.

The agreement was signed during the 82nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Colombia, where delegates also endorsed a resolution for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The MoU would provide a formal structure for enhanced cooperation between the two organizations particularly in relation to promoting integrity in sport. It would also see INTERPOL work with the IOC to identify and address issues which could affect the integrity and security of matches and competitions such as doping, match-fixing and corruption.