Looking forward to the Olympic Games
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Sep 2015
Two yeas ago, Brazil, a country known where "everything is delayed," nevertheless, successfully hosted the 2014 World Cup of Soccer despite encountering numerous problems like activists protesting the costs of it staging.
Barely a year from now, the country where everything is beyond its budget, will again be playing host to a much, much bigger event -- the Summer Olympic Games -- where the finest athletes from 206 countries, 10,500 of them, will be vying for honors in 42 sports over 17 days from august 5 to 25.
Right after, the Paralympics will see 4,350 ahletes from 176 coutries will compete in 23 sports.
As in the 2014 Soccer World Cup, many are seeing the cramming the schedule of the needed infrastructure fearful that the City of Rio de Janeiro might end up short of completing those requirements.
But if Rio Mayor Edardo Paes is to be believed, everything is on track and the still ebbing constructed Olympic Park and all competition venues and other necessities will be ready when the the world's greatest sports show raises its curtains on August, 2016.
"All the construction work is on schedule," Paes assured during the meeting of chiefs of mission held three weeks ago attended by Philippine Olympic Committee vice president Joey Romasanta.
Romasanta himself attested during a phone patch interview with the Tropang Bistag-Balitang SCOOP radio program aired over Eagle Broadcasting's DZEC last Thursday that the huge Olympic Park is so far 82 percent ready.
"We were made to make an ocular inspection of all the constructions going on, including the Olympic Village where athletes, including ours, will be billeted, which, according to them is 89 percent completed," Romasanta told this writer, the program host along with Hero Robregado.
"Well, there are still stadiums na kung titingnan mo ay puro bakal pa and venues na ginagawa pa, but as the Mayor promised, matatapos lahat at walang magiging problema," the national deleation's chef de mission added.
"As in the words of Mayor Paes, the coming Olympics will show the world a new Brazil," he said.
"There will be a legacy to create in this country a culture that things can be done on time," Romasanta quoted Paes as saying.
Even International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach, who recently visited Rio, praised the way preparations are going on.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, for his part, vowed to "delight" the world with his country's hosting of the epic event.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GM Joey is aiming for a world title shot
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Oct 2025Patrick Bonifacio rules Directors Chess Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Oct 2025World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025