About the Author: Reta Jo Lewis serves as the Secretary of State’s Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs.

As many Americans are preparing for this weekend’s Super Bowl — arguably the biggest annual sporting event in the United States — Brazilians are looking ahead to 2014, and 2016, when they’ll host the World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In December 2012, I led a dynamic delegation of sports and entertainment business leaders to Sao Paulo and Brasilia. At the request of Brazil’s Ministry of Sports, my office assembled this delegation to expand U.S.-Brazil cooperation in preparation for Brazil’s hosting a series of major international sporting events, including the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our efforts to expand U.S.-Brazil cooperation in this area were met with great enthusiasm from all we met with in Brazil. 

The delegation of 15 experts from the U.S government and the private sector — including national football… more »