Leading actress signs up as Rio 2016 volunteer

"I want to be part of this historic event in Brazil, an event that probably will not be repeated in my lifetime.”

Brazilian actress Elea Mercurio has signed up as a volunteer for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and with the help of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, has created a new song and video the inspire the public to do the same.

“Sports encourage youngsters to choose a healthy lifestyle and pastimes instead of so many other less desirable activities,” said the 31-year-old, who has appeared in Brazilian soap operas ‘O Rebu’ and ‘Avenida Brasil’ and as a presenter on Brazilian MTV.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a great window for sports and that’s why I decided to make this commitment. I want to be part of this historic event in Brazil, an event that probably will not be repeated in my lifetime.”

The term ‘baiao-funk’ refers to a mix of two genres of Brazilian music: using rhyming lyrics, ‘baiao’ is traditional style of music from the North East of Brazil, while ‘funk carioca’ (pronounced “funky carioca”) is a modern, hip-hop influenced genre that was born in Rio de Janeiro’s ‘favela’ communities.

Mercurio, along with fellow Brazilian actor Lucas Lautert, who has also applied to become a volunteer in Rio, portray 18 different characters in the video to reflect the diversity of those who have already applied to become a volunteer, and to show that anybody is welcome to become part of the process.

The actress has applied to become a photographer at the Games and was inspired after taking part in September’s ‘two-years to go’ celebrations in Rio de Janeiro.

“There I saw the volunteers in action,” she said. “They were so happy that I thought people need to know about this, to know what it’s like.

“This is an opportunity to participate in something I believe in. The arts and sports have the potential to transform society.”

Around 70,000 volunteers are needed for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Applicants must be 18 years of age by February 2016. To sign up, or for more information, visit the Rio 2016 website.