Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Brazil would have a lot to learn from Beijing's preparations to host the upcoming summer Olympics if Rio de Janeiro successfully bids to host the 2016 summer Olympic Games, Brazilian Ambassador to China Luiz Augusto De Castro Neves had said.

    Neves, who had been in Beijing for nearly four years, told Xinhua in a recent interview that Beijing had undergone significant changes during the time period and he was impressed by some Olympic buildings such as the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium and the "Water Cube" National Aquatics Center.

    The Ambassador said Brazil had made some exchanges with the Chinese side in hosting major sports events.

    Last year when Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2007 Pan American Games, a Chinese delegation visited Brazil and provided advice on security, transportation and publicity to the Brazilian side, Neves said.

    If Rio de Janeiro win the bid to host the 2016 Games, Brazil and the host city would learn from Beijing's experience, he said.

    The Ambassador also said his country would send the largest delegation to take part in the Beijing Olympics with more than 250athletes. In addition, over 600 Brazilian journalists would be coming to China, he noted.

    He expected that some 5,000 Brazilian tourists would come to China during the Beijing Olympics and his Embassy had set up a special information service center for Brazilians in cooperation with the Brazilian Olympic Committee.

    About the goal of the Brazilian delegation at the Beijing Olympics, Neves said his country is strong in such events as sailing, swimming, judo, men's and women's volleyball and beach volleyball.

    He also expressed hope that the Brazilian men's football team would take the gold medal. While he said Brazil had no specific goal of medals at the Beijing Olympics.

    Brazil grabbed 10 medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, namely, four gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

    Neves also said he would accompany Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to attend the Aug. 8 opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.