A number of noteworthy developments in Rio de Janeiro over the last few weeks have given a big kick along to the country´s preparations for the 2016 Olympics, while also revealing possible opportunities for Australian expertise.
Brazil´s national mint, the Casa da Moeda or “House of the Coin”, has donated R$500 thousand to be used in the development and maintenance of the city´s new Olympic Talent Development Centre, which is scheduled to be launched before the end of 2010 using existing facilities in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park and the city´s Velodrome in the suburb of Jacarepaguá. The centre is to be utilised both for the development of existing Olympians and to initiate young, promising athletes into Olympic sports, while it will also feature a sport science laboratory.
The mint´s commitment follows a similar arrangement by mining giant Vale, which has just partnered with Rio-based football club Botafogo to sponsor a mixed athletics and football development program for 600 youths between 10-18. The project, entitled Knowledge Centre – Human & Economic Development Nucleus, will be located at Stadium Rio, which hosted the Pan American Games in 2007.
In the final and possibly most relevant development in terms of potential opportunities, another Rio-based soccer club, Vasco, has just signed an agreement to be one of the hosts of the 2016 Olympics rugby sevens tournament. The arrangement will mean the club´s home ground, São Januário (Saint January), will be refurbished to host rugby matches, with International Rugby Board members to visit the facility soon to inspect the requirements. A timeframe for the renovations was not disclosed, although it was revealed that the Federal Government will be fronting the bill for the works. Brazil´s ability to participate in the event at the Games remains to be seen.