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Sizing Up The 2016 Candidates At A Glance: Rio

By Lizz Kannenberg in News on Oct 1, 2009 5:00PM

This week, as we prepare for Friday's announcement of the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, we'll feature a quick look at each city's proposed venues and bid. Today, we finish with Chicago's biggest opponent, Rio. Previously: Chicago, Tokyo, and Madrid.

RioLogo.jpg History
This is Rio de Janiero’s first short-list candidature bid for a Summer Olympics, although it also bid to host the Games in 1936, 2004 and 2012. Rio did host the 2007 Pan America Games and will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Bid cost
The Rio 2016 bid committee projected a $42 million cost, which the government has guaranteed.

Proposed Games Cost
The Rio bid committee has come under serious scrutiny for their whopping $14.4 billion proposed budget, which is understandable - the other three candidate cities’ budgets clock in at $14.8 billion combined.

Venues
Preexisting, No Permanent Work Required
The Rio bid committee says that 10 venues, or 29% of the total 34 competition venues, will be available for use during the Games with no work required. Most of these were constructed or renovated for the 2007 Pan American Games and meet Olympic and Paralympic requirements.

Riocentro: Pavilion 2 (boxing), Pavilion 3 (table tennis), and Pavilion 4 (badminton); Rio Olympic Arena (gymnastics); Maracanazinho Arena (volleyball); Maracana Stadium (ceremonies, soccer); all four soccer venues: Mineirao Stadium, Mane Garrincha Stadium, Fonte Nova Stadium, and Morumbi Stadium

Preexisting, Permanent Work Required
Eight venues, or 24%, exist already but will require renovation to be Games-ready.

Rio Olympic Velodrome (track cycling); Maria Lenk Aquatic Center (diving, water polo); Sambodromo (marathon, archery); Joao Havelange Stadium (track and field); National Shooting Center (shooting); National Equestrian Center (equestrian); Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (flatwater canoe/kayak); Marina da Gloria (sailing)

New (Permanent)
The Brazilian government plans to build nine new, permanent venues in Rio de Janiero for the 2016 Olympics, which it says will contribute to the sporting infrastructure of the city post-Games.

Olympic Training Center: Halls 1 (basketball), 2 (judo, taekwondo), 3 (wrestling), and 4 (handball); Deodoro Arena (modern pentathlon, fencing); Olympic Tennis Center (tennis); Olympic Aquatics Stadium (swimming, synchronized swimming); Olympic Whitewater Stadium (slalom canoe/kayak); Olympic BMX Center (BMX)

New (Temporary)
Seven new Rio venues will be built but temporary.

Copacabana Stadium (beach volleyball); Fort Copacabana (marathon swimming, triathlon); Flamengo Park (race walk, road cycling); Riocentro Pavilion 6 (weightlifting); Olympic Hockey Center (Field Hockey); Olympic Mountain Bike Park (mountain biking); Deodoro Modern Pentathlon Park (modern pentathlon)

Pros
Time may be on Rio’s side - as in, “About damn time.” No South or Central American country has ever hosted an Olympics, while the U.S. has welcomed the Games a nation-leading eight times...Brazil’s economy has been among the top ten in the world for the past 30 years, and its government has guaranteed the entire $14.4 billion proposed budget...In addition, Rio’s Pan American Games have been touted as the “best in history” by that organization’s president...The city will have even more experience with huge international events after it hosts the 2014 World Cup...Rio's geographic location would allow for the showing of main events in many primetime television windows, including the U.S....Though many in the United States - particularly under the age of 30 to 35 - don't recognize him, soccer super-duper-star Pele is a well-known face around the rest of the world who has become an ambassador for Rio's bid.

Cons
We’re sure things can slip through the cracks when you’re vying for one of those huge international events, but yesterday’s news that the city had pulled out of hosting an international swimming event due to lack of funding seems to cast a dubious light on Rio’s chances of pulling off a successful Olympics without bankrupting itself, especially given the large proposed budget...There’s also the possibility that Rio de Janierans will be out of patience for massive crowds and stress on its civic resources after the 2014 World Cup...Rio's high crime rate has given the IOC pause about security...There is worry about the city's lack of hotel rooms and plans to use structures such as cruise ships to house people...Rio's geographic layout may cause some long travel times for athletes unless a major transportation infrastructure overhaul is undertaken before 2016.

[Website, Bid book]