Rio de Janeiro held several sports competitions last weekend to promote its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
The first stage of the women’s volleyball World Grand Prix attracted more than 30,000 people to the Maracanazinho sports centre over three days with games between the national teams of Brazil, Puerto Rico, Germany and the United States.
The Brazilian stage of the Global Champions Tour of jumping attracted some of the world’s best riders, and the city also hosted state and national competitions in fencing, rowing and horse racing.
The Brazilian women, gold medallists at the Beijing 2008 Summer Games and seven times winners of the World Grand Prix, beat all three opponents by three sets to nil. Libero Fabi said it was great playing in the Maracanazinho sports centre, praising the venue which was refurbished for the Rio 2007 Pan American Games and will host Olympic volleyball if Rio hosts the 2016 Games.
Apart from the international competitions the weekend sports also included national events in fencing, rowing and horse racing. As the planned host of the rowing and canoeing competitions, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, a key venue for the 2016 Games, hosted an event in the State Rowing Championships.
Fencing was also highlighted in the City of Rio de Janeiro National Tournament, which attracted 200 participants in competitions for sabre, foil and sword at the Military Club of Laguna.
Secretary General of the Rio 2016 Committee Carlos Roberto Osorio said, “we had a fantastic weekend with competitions for fans of various sports. Brazilian and international athletes, including Olympic champions, could experience the heat and passion of Brazilian supporters. Events like these provide further incentive in this, the final straight of the Rio 2016 bid”.
