State Sport centre boost in Rio Grande do Sul

In a specific example of the ongoing push in Brazil to develop higher standard sport facilities around the country, the federal government has just announced R$5 million in funding for the “State Centre for Sport Training”, which is set to undergo a significant overhaul in preparation for the 2016 Olympics.

More high performance centres required says specialist

A consultant hired by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) has added to the case for the country to significantly expand its investment in high performance sport ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics. Finland´s Jukka Lahtinen, an ex-triple jump athlete and current president of the International Association of High Performance Sport Centres, is advising the BOC about the ongoing “CT Time Brasil” project, a training centre being established in Rio de Janeiro.

Organic products surging ahead of World Cup

A series of presentations is underway throughout Brazil aimed at incentivizing the production of organic products to meet additional demand expected for the 2014 World Cup.

Part V – the emergence of Brazil’s sporting fringe

In the final part of our recent look at the wider Brazilian sport industry, to complete the series of reports is an overview of a range of sports making up a small yet increasingly important part of the local market. As mentioned previously, with football reigning supreme at the top of the pyramid, only a handful of other disciplines such as volleyball and basketball get a look in on the Brazilian sporting scene, however many smaller, often grassroots driven sports are now gaining recognition, while recent moves to prepare the country for a strong showing at the Rio 2016 Olympics are also pushing the development of new modes.

Bus deal a show of Brazil´s innovative new thinking

This week has seen a noteworthy new business deal bringing together the Brazilian and Swedish governments and a major international company under a unique convergence of circumstances.

Super committee to advise on Rio major events legacy

Rio de Janeiro´s mayor Eduardo Paes is to form a new group of 20 advisors to analyse projects for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics in the city and make suggestions as to possible improvements. The full make-up of the body is yet to be announced.

The City Legacy Council, of which Paes will be president, will meet three times a year to discuss the heritage the two major events will leave for the city.

UPDATE: Initial members include Felipe Góes (Municipal Development Secretary of Rio); Bernardo Carvalho (President of the Rio 2014/2016 Company), Sergio Besserman Vianna (President of the Council´s Sustainable Development Chamber); Sérgio Magalhães (President of the Rio chapter of the Brazilian Institute of Architects); José Luiz Alquéres (President of the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro); Rogério Chor (President of the Association of Directors of the Real Estate Industry); Rosiska Darcy (President of the NPO "Rio Como Vamos"); and businessmen João Paulo Diniz and Paulo Ferraz.

Ex Central Bank head to give 2016 organisation massive boost

Although his final decision is still pending, Henrique Meirelles, the highly regarded ex-president of Brazil´s Central Bank, looks set to take on the massive task of preparing Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics, following President Dilma´s recent invitation to the head role.

Former Bovis architect discusses 2014 stadium situation

Brazilian architect Carlos de La Corte, currently charged with liaising with FIFA for stadium design for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, has recently provided a revealing look into preparations for the event in an interview for industry journal Stadia.

A call to action for Australia´s relations with Brazil

Australian Nick McGowan, who currently works for the United Nations Bureau for Development Policy in New York, has just written a comprehensive piece highlighting the need for Australia to put significant effort into its relationship with Brazil, for a number of reasons.

Part IV - Football light years ahead in Brazilian sponsorship market

Although the next few years should see significant new investments in a range of sports as the country prepares for a strong home showing in the Rio 2016 Olympics, there is absolutely no denying the overwhelming dominance of football on the Brazilian sporting scene. In the latest part of our series of reports on stats and trends in the wider Brazilian sport industry, we take a look at sport sponsorship spending in the country, which only confirms the comprehensiveness of football´s supremacy.