News
Rio prepares to be the capital of sports
05.Feb.2010
Rio de Janeiro enters the new decade full of enthusiasm after being chosen as one of the cities to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016. Proud and optimistic, the population is already preparing to make the city even more wonderful place and the world’s capital of sports.
A set of plans was developed by the local administration in order to meet the needs of this events and a series of infrastructure works are already on their way.
But these are not the only events that will take place in Rio. The city will also host the 5th Military World Games, in 2011, with a participation of nearly 90 countries and 21 sports. The competition, held every four years, is organized by the International Military Sports Council (IMSC). The city will receive between 4.500 and 7.000 military athletes from many parts of the world. The event will use for its organization all the infra-structure built for the Pan-American Games, held in Rio in 2007.
One year before the FIFA World Cup, Brazil will stage the FIFA Confederations Cup bringing together eight teams. Each continent (confederation) is represented by its champion along with the world champion of 2010 and the host country. The competition is organized since 1992 and, from 2005 on, it started to be held every four years, always in the year prior to the World Cup and in the host country of the forthcoming World Cup.
The football World Cup will take place in Brazil in 2014. Organized by FIFA since 1930, the competition will gather 32 teams and lasts a month. Along with eleven host cities, Rio stands out for receiving the great final match of the World Cup at the legendary Maracanã stadium, which will go through a major alteration.
The stadium was built specially for the 1950 World Cup. At that time, the country suffered one of the most traumatic events in its sports history. On July 16th, Brazil was defeated by Uruguay in the final match. The winning goal was scored with just 11 minutes remaining. Maracanã was completely packed. It is obvious that Brazilian can’t wait to change the story in 2014!
And two years after the World Cup, there comes the 2016 Olympic Games!
Joy and celebration all night long: that’s how the whole country reacted after getting the news that Rio would be the first South American city in history to host the Olympics. The potential for transformation of such an event brought lots of optimism for all cariocas and mobilization started.
Lots of work needs to be done. The good news is that more than half of the facilities for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are already built. And with all the enthusiasm and energy of the people from Rio, the sports events in the city will certainly be unforgettable. Rio deserves it!
The locals, called “Cariocas”, are known for their joy, warmth and hospitality. It’s a youthful population who loves practicing sports taking advantage of the natural beauty in the city. On land, on water and even in the air it is possible to notice that cariocas breathe sports. And this spirit infects thousands of tourists who visit Rio annually.
Robert Callahan
Bob is American and lives in New York, where he works as a trader in the emerging market. After traveling to Rio for the first time, he fell in love with the city and ever since he always came back to visit.
Rio de Janeiro truly is one of the most exciting cities in the world! It holds an energy that you feel as soon as you arrive and you begin to miss as soon as you leave. The combination of the infectious music and rhythmic dancing, the beautiful people, the world-famous beaches, the delicious food, the eclectic culture and unique fashion, the passion for soccer and the incredible nightlife is something that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Placing those qualities in a setting of such natural beauty, between the ocean and the mountains, and with such wonderful people makes Rio one of the hottest cities in the world. A perfect place for hosting sport events!
Cíntia Cruz
Graduated in Physical Education, Cíntia is a Synchronized Swimming coach at the Fluminense club. On foot or with her inseparable bicycle, she loves to ride through different spots of the city enjoying the landscapes.
“Rio is an Olympic city by nature. Now we only need to improve some facilities and prepare the city to receive the participants!
If our human resources are already being prepared with anticipation, imagine the anxiety and enthusiasm felt by athletes of all the sports spread throughout clubs, schools, olympic villages and fitness centers. We tend to have more and more supporters, more interest and devotion of athletes and coaches.
I love to ride my bicycle from the neighborhood where I live, Laranjeiras, until Leblon. There are many cycle paths. They just need a little repair and a best signposting. Frescobol, our sports played with rackets on the beach is also pure fun. When I´m not with my bicycle, a little walk along the beach at the end of the afternoon with the sea breeze is really pleasant!"
Kelder Paiva
Kelder is a musician and lived in Rio for the last five years. The drummer had already lived in the city before and loves its natural beauty, that he knows so well since he often walks on trails and runs.
If there’s such a place in Brazil where you feel the need to practice some sport, even though you’re not a follower that city has to be Rio de Janeiro.
I run almost every single day along the Leblon/Ipanema beach, walk on trails through the forests and woodlands of the city, I ride my bicycle on the wide cycle paths and swim in the sea. That means sports for free! Health for free, and contact with nature.
I hope that the State government along with the prefecture, look after the spaces for the physical activities, build other ones and keep the activity with care and respect. We will be very grateful.
The Olympics and other events are here. That will be a big proof for the city to show its potential.
Cássio Jody Kokubo
Cassio is a Physical Education teacher who has already ran several marathons in Rio de Janeiro. He describes his city as being an ideal place by nature for the practice of all kinds of sports.
"Rio de Janeiro, mainly during summer, is great for outdoor activities. Those are longer days, people in the streets, and besides, the local geography allows everyone to practice infinity of sports. Barra da Tijuca’s waterfront is my favorite place for running at dusk (always followed by a dip in the sea right by my side). The city has all the potential to host one of the most beautiful Olympic Games in history."
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