Rio de Janeiro received, this Monday, the 8th, one more space in which to reveal talents that may represent Brazil in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: The Rocinha Integrative Sports Center. Located in the poor community with 56 thousand inhabitants, the space will have boxing, judo and volleyball gyms, sporting courts, football field, swimming pool, surf school, skate ramp, medical center and restaurant. The inauguration featured the presence of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the governor Sérgio Cabral, the mayor Eduardo Paes and the president of The Rio 2016 Games Organizing Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman. “By giving access to sport, education, leisure and culture, we will have more and more people who are better for our country. It is a joy to be a part of this inauguration. The children can learn to compete and, who knows, win medals in the 2016 Games. Today, Rocinha is a reason for Brazil to be proud” said Lula. In order to build the Integrative Sports Center, R$23,7 million were invested. Each sport played at this center will have as a sponsor, an established Brazilian, like the judoka Flávio Canto (Bronze Medal in the 2004, Athens Games) and the ex- beach volleyball players Adriana Behar and Shelda (silver in Sidney 2000 and Athens 2004). “The center will cater to four thousand people a day, with many classes and different sport modalities”, explained the governor Sérgio Cabral. O novo complexo esportivo será administrado pela Secretaria Estadual de Esporte, Turismo e Lazer e também oferecerá cursos de qualificação profissional. “A paixão do povo brasileiro pelo esporte aumentou ainda mais depois da escolha do Rio de Janeiro como sede dos Jogos de 2016. Com essas novas instalações, os moradores da Rocinha aproveitarão os benefícios da prática esportiva. O espaço é maravilhoso e, com certeza, formará futuros campeões”, disse Carlos Arthur Nuzman. The new sports complex will be administered by the State Sports, Tourism and Leisure Department and will also offer courses for professional qualification. “The Brazilian People’s passion for sport has increased even more after Rio de Janeiro was chosen to be the headquarters for the 2016 games. With these new installations, the residents of Rocinha will take advantage of the benefits of playing a sport. The space is marvelous and will surely forge future champions”, said Carlos Arthur Nuzman.