Clouds are gathering around Rio and its many construction sites. Last Tuesday March 5, the violent rains which fell on the future Olympic city flooded the Maracana stadium. Another delay for the renovation work on the legendary Brazilian enclosure. Andre Lazaroni, the Secretary of State for Sport and Leisure of Rio de Janeiro, nevertheless assured, repeated and promised, without letting the tone of his voice betray the slightest doubt, during a press conference organized as part of the Laureus Sports Trophies: “We will be ready. »
Hurry up. But the Brazilian leader wants to make an oath: the Maracana stadium will be operational for April 27, 2013, the day long planned for the start of its new life. “We could have built a new stadium, we chose to renovate it,” explains Andre Lazaroni. And, as you know, a renovation always takes longer than a construction. But we will be on time. Maracana will be ready, with its maximum capacity. I can also assure everything will be completed in Brazil to host the Confederations Cup (June 15 to 30, 2013). FIFA requires two matches to be held before the tournament to test the facilities. We're going to play three. »
Brazilians make no secret of their confidence. With more than a year until the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and around 1200 days until the 2016 Summer Games, organizers are already talking about Olympic legacy. “We helped to renew the dialogue between the political leaders of the country and those of the city,” explains Andre Lazaroni. Until then, they frequently stopped talking to each other. » Carlos Nuzman, the president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, follows suit with the same enthusiasm: “Having obtained the Olympic Games already authorizes us to speak of heritage, because this victory proved that the IOC could grant the event to a different country. The example of Rio will serve as inspiration for future Olympic bids. »
