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Consular Communications

2nd August 2016 London, UK

Whendie Backwell

British Volunteer at Rio 2016

Off to the Games…

“I’m off to work at the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio” I have probably said that phrase (and thought it) a million times since I became one of the chosen Games volunteers in 2015, and every time it is immediately followed by me thinking – “Wow!” I feel lucky and privileged, not to mention incredibly excited. Heck, […]

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29th July 2016 London, UK

Alex Ellis

Ambassador to Brazil

Rio 2016: one week to go!

Yes, one week to the Opening Ceremony. Readers who were in London during 2012 will remember what this means: a strange mix of public anxiety – worries about public transport, traffic, readiness of the city been questioned, problems, problems and problems; and also private excitement as the event gets closer. Rio is no different – […]

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22nd July 2016 London, UK

Tristan Gilchrist

Consular Team, Rio De Janerio

Gearing up for the Games

It’s beginning to feel very real. There are only two weeks to go until the start of Rio 2016. Brazil has been in the unusual (unprecedented?) position of hosting the top three sporting events in the world in the space of just two years. That also meant that just as the lights were going out in the […]

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22nd July 2016 London, UK

Joanna Roper

Director Foreign Office Consular Services

Forced Marriage Summer Campaign – #RightToChoose

Last week saw the launch of the Forced Marriage Unit’s annual summer campaign. The long summer holiday is a high risk time when families may use the opportunity to take young women and men abroad for a forced marriage. This year the Forced Marriage Unit has produced short audio pieces based on the film launched […]

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27th April 2016 London, UK

Alex Ellis

Ambassador to Brazil

Ready, set, Rio! The race is on!

Today we mark 100 days to the start of the 2016 Olympics games in Rio. It’s also the first of a series of blogs which I and colleagues will write as we prepare for the Games. To celebrate the milestone, we have created a video with some Olympic and Paralympic stars, providing British nationals travelling […]

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