07/23/2024 – 18:43
First Lady Rosângela da Silva, Janja, received the credential to participate in the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Friday, the 26th. The credential was issued exceptionally by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), since the official deadline for the application had already ended when President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) announced, on the 11th, that he would send the First Lady as his representative.
With Brazil at risk of being left without an official representative, Brazilian diplomacy had to step in to resolve the issue and ensure the First Lady’s trip to the French capital. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), responsible for accrediting authorities for the mega-event, was approached by the COB.
The Brazilian entity refused to provide further details on how the negotiations between the two countries took place and claimed that the information was personal and related to the Presidency of the Republic. When contacted, the offices of the Presidency and the First Lady did not say what type of access the credentials obtained would give Janja.
On Monday, the 22nd, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with the international press, was asked about Lula’s absence and responded that the Brazilian leader justified it by saying that he had a busy schedule. The French president also said that Janja will be well received and that “at least” she will attend the event. The First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, who also spoke at the event, said that she maintains a friendship with Lula’s wife.
The announcement that the First Lady would represent him was made by Lula during a ceremony with Olympic athletes in which he signed the Bolsa Atleta adjustment. “I will see the Olympics through Janja’s eyes,” said the president at the ceremony, stating that the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca, will also be part of the official delegation.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism confirmed that Minister Celso Sabino will travel to the French capital, with a team of two civil servants, and that he will fulfill agendas to “present the country’s attractions to foreign tourists” and establish partnerships with a focus on COP-30, which will take place in Belém, next year.
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