Rio 2016 receives keys to International Broadcast Centre in Barra Olympic Park
Giant building from where images of Olympic and Paralympic Games will be transmitted was one of the most complex construction projects, says city mayor
Nuzman (left) received the keys from Paes (right), who was accompanied by Pezão (centre) (Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee took control of the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) – the building from which images of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be transmitted – on Sunday (8 November). In a ceremony at Barra Olympic Park, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes handed over the keys on behalf of the city government, which was responsible for the construction, to Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman.
“We are very pleased to fulfil this stage,” said Nuzman. “This is perhaps one of the most complex constructions in the history of the Games. From here, nearly 6,000 hours of images will be transmitted across the world, that will reach five billion TV viewers.”
Paes confirmed that the IBC project was one of the most challenging to deliver for the Games. “I have to admit that this was bigger and more difficult than any of the competition venues,” he said. Rio state governor Luiz Fernando Pezão said that the IBC and other Games-related construction projects were developing the Brazilian workforce. “Everybody is benefiting from these works,” he said.
New images show key venues for Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking shape
The IBC is located in the Barra Olympic Park (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The IBC, which was funded by a public-private partnership (PPP), will be converted into a commercial workplace after the Games. The city government said the private sector invested R$300 million (US$78 million) in the IBC.
The IBC comprises two buildings: the main building and the IBC offices, which will house Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), the organisation responsible for delivering the pictures and sounds of the Olympic Games. Together, the two buildings occupy a total area of nearly 80,000m². The main building features 12 studios, each of approximately 5,000m².
The construction process was more complicated than for a standard building because of the inherent requirements of creating a building for major large-scale broadcasting. For example, as well as being strong enough to support all the equipment, it had to be resistant to high temperatures and feature the sound-proofing necessary for high-quality broadcasting.
The IBC will have 12 studios, each of about 5,000m² (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
Rio 2016’s deputy CEO Leonardo Gryner said the IBC would be ready for the broadcasters after two more phases of work. “The first, which is our responsibility, is to install a winch that will support the lighting, speakers and cabling. We have to provide all the telecommunications routing, air conditioning, electrical supply and fire detection equipment.”
Gryner said the second phase would involve OBS installing their technical equipment and the construction of the studios for the broadcasters who will work in the IBC. “This building will be ready for the broadcasters to use on 5 July,” he said.
THE IBC IN NUMBERS
Start of construction: October 2013
End of construction: November 2015
Total area of IBC main building and IBC offices: 79,000m²
Total area of IBC main building: 68,000m²
Total area of roof: 32,000m²
Daily capacity during the Games: 10,000 people
Height: 21m (first floor 12m, second floor 8m)
12 studios of approximately 5,000m²
1,215 metal stakes in the foundations
Total concrete used: 20,000m³
49 bathrooms (16 accessible for people with a disability)
500 people worked on the construction
Stairways: 12 internal, 14 external
Elevators: 13 (9 for equipment, 4 for people)
