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Comitê Olímpico do Brasil (COB): COB is a finalist in two categories at the Sport Positive Awards

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The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) is on the shortlist for two awards at the Sport Positive Awards: in the Purpose-led Partnerships and Biodiversity Project categories . The Sport Positive Awards is a global industry award that celebrates, elevates, and raises awareness for organizations and individuals who are leading the charge in using the power of sport to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time: the climate and biodiversity crises, and environmental/climate justice. The winners will be announced in October.

“Sustainability is a priority not only for the Olympic Movement but for society as a whole. Therefore, it is a great recognition that our two main projects are among the finalists for the Sport Positive Awards,” says Manoela Penna, COB’s Marketing Communications Director.

In the Purpose-led Partnerships category , the COB is competing for its partnership with Neoenergia, which stands out for addressing two pressing global challenges—climate change and gender inequality. The unified and focused strategy for addressing these issues caught the attention of the Sport Positive Awards.

In the environmental field, Neoenergia supplies 100% renewable energy (I-REC certification) to the COB Training Center, making the organization a national benchmark in sustainable sports management. This transition has already prevented the emission of more than 44 tons of CO₂ and generated 25% savings in energy costs, with the potential for reinvestment in athlete development.

Socially, the partnership strengthens women’s sports, increasing visibility, representation, and public discourse through initiatives such as the Mais Esporte Feminino (More Women’s Sports) campaign and the Women in Sports Forum. “The COB has a duty to lead by example and inspire society to adopt increasingly environmentally and socially conscious practices,” emphasizes Manoela. In the Biodiversity Project

category , the COB is competing for the Brazilian Olympic Forest initiative in the state of Amazonas. The forest restoration involves planting approximately 4,500 native tree species, including some that are part of the local residents’ traditional extractive activities, such as the Amazon Brazil nut ( Bertholletia excelsa ) and açaí ( Euterpe oleracea ). A signatory to the Olympic Forest Network since 2023, the COB chose to primarily impact the communities of Bom Jesus da Ponta da Castanha and the São Jorge da Ponta da Castanha village, in the cities of Tefé and Alvarães (Amazonas). They are located within the boundaries of the Tefé National Forest (FLONA), in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, a federal protected area managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).

Read the original article in Portuguese here.