Olympics: Kerry Heads U.S. Delegation to Rio Opening Ceremony
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will represent President Barack Obama at the opening ceremony for the Rio Olympics later this week, the White House and State Department said Tuesday.
The trip, Kerry's 112th since taking office, will bring him first to Argentina on Wednesday and Thursday.
Kerry will head the U.S. delegation to the Summer Games, the first Olympics in South America. Accompanying him will be several officials and nine-time Olympic gold medal swimmer Mark Spitz.
The top U.S. diplomat will join dozens of heads of state or government at the opening ceremony Friday in Rio's Maracana stadium. Kerry will also meet with U.S. Olympians.
In Argentina, he will discuss trade issues with President Mauricio Macri and Foreign Minister Susan Malcorra, according to the State Department. In Brazil, Kerry will hold talks with Foreign Minister Jose Serra.
Brazil is on high alert ahead of the Olympics, which run from August 5 to 21.
The country has bolstered security measures and plans to deploy 85,000 police and soldiers to protect the Games, double the number used in London in 2012.
Source: Agence France Presse
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