Proposed Rio 2016 football cities chosen by FIFA to host World Cup Games in 2014
Legendary Maracanã Stadium proposed site of the opening and closing ceremonies in the 2016 Olympic Games is also expected to host the final in 2014
Rio 2016s five proposed football cities were confirmed yesterday as host cities for the 2014 World Cup by the FIFA Executive Committee. Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Salvador were approved on Sunday among a total of 12 cities for the 2014 event.
Rio 2016 Bid Committee President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, said: The selection of the 2014 cities further reinforces the benefits of hosting two major international sporting events like the World Cup and the Games in succession. Our bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games is fully aligned with the needs of Rio, the other cities and Brazils long-term development plans.
The 2014 World Cup means that our proposed Olympic football venues will boast new and modern stadiums well ahead of the Games. We will also witness significant investments in airports, transportation infrastructure, accommodation, telecommunications and security in the coming years leading up to 2014. Moreover, the World Cup will contribute to training new professionals with experience in large sporting events, many of whom we hope will be able to work with us to deliver the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said Nuzman.
The announcement of the cities was broadcast live from the Bahamas in Maracanã Stadium, where more than 70,000 fans were following a Brazilian Championship match between Flamengo and Atlético Paranaense. The legendary stadium, which is expected to host the World Cup final, has also been proposed by the Rio 2016 Bid Committee to host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Games as well as the football finals.
Rio de Janeiro´s State Secretary for Sport, Tourism and Leisure, Márcia Lins, said: The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will transform urban mobility in our country with the expansion of the metro system and improvements in the suburban train system, all planned to accommodate the competitions across the country. These are critical improvements with substantial long-term benefits that have all been integrated within Rios plans to host the 2016 Games.
In addition to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Salvador, seven other Brazilian cities will host World Cup games in 2014: Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Manaus and Cuiabá.
