By Duncan Mackay

Paul Deighton_during_London_2012September 28 - The theft of confidential computer files by Rio 2016 employees during this summer's Olympics will not affect relations between the two Organising Committees, it has been claimed in a letter sent by Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012.


"The unauthorised copying of documents belonging to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games did not result in any grave security violation or compromise any personal data," Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman told a press conference, reading from the letter written by Deighton.

Rio 2016 released the letter following claims that London 2012 were no longer prepared to help them following the incident which led to nine of their staff being fired. 

"The case involved only a very small number of people and it was dealt with efficiently and effectively by the senior management at the Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Deighton in his letter.

"This episode in no way reflects the actions or behaviour of the vast majority of the Rio 2016 Team who we have become firm friends with.

"All of the documents were quickly returned and there was no impact of any sort on the close relations that we have always maintained with Rio 2016.

"We will continue to share any information our Rio 2016 colleagues and wider stakeholders would like us to in the same way other OCOGs (Organising Committees of Olympic Games) and Governments have generously given their time and expertise to us.

"We believe Rio will host a great Games in 2016 and are delighted to help in any small way we can.

"We continue to have workshops, visits, telephone calls and knowledge transfer sessions with all departments and we are looking forward to the IOC Debrief session in Rio in November.

"But it does not stop there.

"We are at the disposal of Rio 2016 Team and their partners and want to share our structures, our experiences, our plans and our lessons with our counterparts in Rio.

Carlos Nuzman_reads_out_Paul_Deightons_letter_September_27_2012Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman reads out the letter from London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton promising that the two Organising Committees will continue to work closely together

"There is much that we can share and we have nothing but respect, friendship and cooperation with the Rio 2016 Team.

"After all we share the belief that the Olympic Movement and sport can make a difference to the lives of people, young and old, wherever they might live in the world.

"It is our belief in this that unifies us in wanting to make each Games better than the last, ensuring the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement."

Publication of the letter followed claims yesterday by one of the employees fired, Renata Santiago, that she had only taken the files because she had been told too.

"The workers who were fired acted alone," said Nuzman. 

"Their bosses at Rio 2016 didn't know that the files were being copied without the authorisation from LOCOG."

Nuzman, who appeared at the press conference alongside Rio 2016 chief executive Leonardo Gryner, refused demands that he release the names of the sacked employees.

"We won't release the names because that's an issue between the employer and its employees," he said.

"Firing them was the adequate disciplinary action."

But one employee has been reinstated after London 2012 revealed that they had been given them permission to access the files.

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