Almost five months after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics ended, the stadium that provided the setting for Australia’s gold medal triumph in the women’s rugby sevens, is struggling to find a use.
Rio de Janeiro’s city hall said Tuesday that the Deodoro Olympic Park, which was to be used as a park and recreation area after the games, has been closed.
Deodoro was the second-largest venue cluster during the Olympics and is located in Rio’s impoverished north.
Australia defeated New Zealand 24-17 in the temporary stadium which had a 15,000 capacity.
The city government said a contract had been terminated with a company operating the park.
The statement said “measures are being taken” to reopen the park. The city did not say when that would happen.
Last month, Rio de Janeiro handed over responsibility to the federal government for sports venues in the main Olympic Park after a failed bid to auction them.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I won't get into the discussion on whether a developing nation should host an Olympics in this rugby forum. On historical buildings being demolished for construction of the Vila, I couldn't find any reference to it in Brazilian press (which is free and quite caustic). Historical buildings in Brazil are relatively well catalogued (and very poorly maintained), so if they were demolishing one there would be an outcry. Sadly, slave housing (senzalas) were quite widespread in Brazil, I visited a few of them. They did disappropriate a favela (slum). That happens when you have major works, two dozen houses nearby me (in Sydney) were demolished to make way for the tunnel that will connect the M2 to the M1 (Hills district); a neighbour was in tears, as they had just done a big renovation. I have reservations on how it was done in Rio (there was some police violence against owners who refused to move out), but not on the fact that some had to be moved.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I can;t see them getting a whole lot of craftsman in to build something to house slaves. Have you got a picture of what they knocked, to see if it was anything worthwhile.
In brief
Guest
The bigger issue with the olympics is the potential squandering of resources for a one off event. I read an article which claimed original slave barracks were destroyed to build athlete accommodation. To lose what must surely have been one of Brazil's most important and unique heritage sites in this way is so depressing..
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Yep, they are planning on using their three current high performance academies to form a semi-pro provincial based competition to start. There are plans to expand it as they develop more HP academies in other provinces. Over time, they want to transition it to a fully professional structure. I actually think its an opportunity for WR to get things moving in terms of at least semi-professional HP Rugby in Sth America. Countries such as Chile and the rapidly developing Colombia need further regular competition in order to continue their prpgress. WR coming in and covering the costs of establishing HP structures and the overall costs to compete inva combined Sth American league would really help push the game along nicely. As for what the Olympics have done for Rugby in Brazil. Well, it provides legitimacy among not only the public but sponsors and broadcasters. It provides access to schools as a means of initiating development programs (in which they are in fact doing) and it provides a degree of guaranteed funding to continue doing so. That's what it has done for Rugby in Brazil.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
As mentioned, it was never supposed to be a permanent stadium, it was built using erectable structures, easy to dismount. Rugby was the fastest growing sport in Brazil long before the Olympics. From when I played in the 80/90s to now it has grown from 20 teams to over 200, with thousands playing. Still far, far from professional, except for the national sevens team. Highligh was the women's seven classifying for the World Sevens top tier, on the back of a strong Olympics result. Men's 15 played in the inaugural America's 6 Nations, managed to beat the USA and played well against Canada. Came 5th, which is one better than expected. About to classify for the World Cup? No, far from it, but growing, gaining volume.
tc
Guest
Like it was mentioned above, that particular stadium was never meant to be permanent. I don't know what the Rio 7s did for rugby union in Brazil, but I do know that the RWC 2015 was shown on TV, and that it got decent numbers. Playing numbers are now picking up,and there is now talk of some kind of semi pro comp. Oh yea, there has even been talk from Brazilian rugby officials about their desire to enter a team in Super Rugby. So it's safe to say things are definately happening for Brazilian rugby.
northerner
Guest
What, exactly, did it do for impoverished Brazilians? Or, for that matter, rugby in Brazil. Whether 20 million or a 100 million foreigners watched it or not, how did it actually impact on the host country?
tc
Guest
Rick "I need attention" Diznek, the Rio 7s was watched by 20 million Brits, 45 million Chinese, and even more Americans. So yes it did get a nice boost, thanks for that.
Bakkies
Guest
The trade unions in Brazil definitely got a boost
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The Rugby stadium was always only temporary. The pitch is permanent though. The game has seen a boost in Brazil leading into and beyond the Olympics. They are even installing the first structures for a new provincial championship. Slated to be semi-pro/pro.
Kaz
Guest
And your point is?
Rick Diznek
Guest
Yeah the Olympics gave union in Brazil a stunning boost lolz