A number of important 2014 Cup and 2016 Olympics-related business opportunities are coming into clearer focus as facilities around Brazil bid for the official right to host teams and athletes in the acclimatisation periods before the event.
The FIFA and IOC approved training facilities respectively are decided according to extensive application processes and both organisations have already opened the submission period for candidates.
For the 2016 Olympics, training centres are being decided through the “Process for Registration and Selection of Pre-Games Training Locations”, similar to initiatives from past Olympics aimed at spreading the benefits of the event around the host country. A Rio 2016 Organising Committee spokesperson pointed out that a long list of pre-selected candidates will be announced on April 15, to be followed in May by an orientation seminar for all participants in Rio, during which requirements for the final stages of selection will be detailed.
The official centres will then develop plans on how they will meet standards set by the international bodies for individual Olympic sports, with a budget and timeline for required works to be delivered by December 16.
Importantly, this process should result in a range of additional work opportunities in various regions throughout Brazil, although the final number of centres to be required is yet to be revealed.
Details on the FIFA process for 2014 World Cup training centres will be details in a follow up report.