The recent announcement of a wide range of locations pre-selected to host official Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics training centres provides yet another indicator of hotspots for specialised expertise and equipment opportunities over the coming years, plus an outline of how and when projects will unfold in the lead up to the Games.
The first selection phase included 355 facilities from 150 municipalities across 22 states and all five regions of Brazil, with chosen groups having already attended an official orientation seminar at the end of May where details of the long and complex path towards winning official status were outlined. Participants were informed of their rights, duties and prospects as pre-selected candidates, as well as a breakdown of the next steps in the process.
From here on candidates must, amongst other things, provide detailed reports on their facilities' existing infrastructure and required upgrades, the associated infrastructure provided by the surrounding city (accommodation, services etc.) and how they intend to manage the hosting process. Following this there will be a series of technical visits and evaluation reports confirming the original details and suggesting further improvements, and finally the candidate needs to develop a master project and timeline for getting the facility ready for its particular role in hosting pre-Games training requirements.
All this will occur over the course of 2011 and by January 2012 the winning candidates will be announced, a few months before the London 2012 Games, during which an official guide for pre-Rio Games training facilities will be distributed. After London 2012, the preparation works will begin in earnest, accompanied by regular evaluations.
Given the specific, IOC-approved requirements for such facilities, this should create a range of opportunities for specialists looking to enter the Brazilian market.