The Rio 2016™ Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Rio 2016™) met with the leaders of eight International Federations to discuss the Deodoro Olympic Park at the Sport Accord Convention on Wednesday. During the meeting, which was attended by senior representatives from the sports of basketball, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, hockey, modern pentathlon, rugby and shooting, Rio 2016™ Executive Director of Sports Agberto Guimaraes discussed updated proposals for the Deodoro Olympic Park, both in terms of the sports venues, and the common areas for spectators.

The updated plans see the Deodoro Olympic Park hosting the 10,000 seat Olympic Hockey Centre, and rugby sevens and modern pentathlon sharing a temporary purpose built 20,000 capacity Rugby and Modern Pentathlon Arena. Meanwhile basketball preliminary matches would take place in the Deodoro Arena.

While the updated proposals are subject to formal board approval by the International Federations, Rio 2016™ President Carlos Nuzman was delighted with the productive and positive discussions that took place.

“We are very pleased with the significant progress made regarding the Deodoro Olympic Park. Without doubt, Deodoro will be a very vibrant, exciting and atmospheric element of the Rio 2016™ Games. We look forward to continuing to work very closely with our International Federation partners, and the IOC and IPC, to deliver our shared goals of technical excellence and outstanding spectator experience. I would like to thank my colleagues at the International Federations for their great spirit of partnership and cooperation, and for sharing their expertise with us”, he said.

It was during the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission meeting in February this year, it was confirmed that the Rio 2016 Games will uniquely include two Olympic Parks. One located in Barra and the other in Deodoro.

International Federations support new proposal

During a media briefing held together with four of the International Federations, International Rugby Board CEO Brett Gosper said: “We are encouraged with the highly positive discussions with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee regarding the Deodoro Zone, which is being proposed by Rio 2016 as the venue for the men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens events at the 2016 Games. While the venue is ultimately subject to IRB Executive Board approval, the IRB is satisfied that Rio 2016’s exciting plans to ensure that the Zone is an accessible and vibrant festival hub will deliver a great experience for the sports and for fans. The IRB will continue to work alongside Rio 2016 and the IOC to ensure the delivery of outstanding and successful Rugby Sevens events for teams, fans and the Olympic and rugby families”.

Kelly Fairweather, FIH CEO added: “We had a really positive meeting with Rio 2016 today and we are confident that we will have a very good venue, and most importantly, a very successful Games”.

Klaus Schorman, UIPM President commented: “We participated in an excellent meeting and I am pleased that all the things we have asked for have been fulfilled. We have to thank the Rio 2016 Organising Committee for fulfilling our dream”.

Deodoro will host an exciting mix of traditional Olympic sports and newer additions to the Olympic Programme. In legacy mode after 2016, Deodoro will be host to a youth focused X Park containing BMX cycling and slalom canoeing.