Rio de Janeiro, Jun 15 (IANS): The Rio 2016 organising committee revealed the official slogan for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America -- "A new world" -- while also unveiling the medals, 52 days from the start of the quadrennial extravaganza.

Along with the Olympic torch, the medals and the mascots, the slogan plays a major part in creating the unique identity of each Olympic Games.

For Rio 2016, the core values of the slogan and the manifesto are unity, respect for diversity and the will for change, reports Xinhua.

"It is what the Olympic movement is all about, changing the world for the better" said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the event on Tuesday.

"Here in Rio you will make of it a great experience. Because there will be a Rio de Janeiro before the Games and another after, a new and better city. The future is for the youth of Brazil. See you in 52 days."

Earlier in the day, the curtain was lifted on the designs of the medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, nearly 2,500 gold, silver and bronze medals produced according to strict sustainability criteria.