When we classify Rio 2016 Summer Olympics venues as previously existing or old venues, what this means is that these venue were in existence even before the 2016 Summer and Paralympics were awarded to Rio in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 2nd of October, 2009 by the IOC; International Olympics Council.
Besides these previously existing venues, Rio 2016 Summer Olympics venues also includes, 2016 Summer Olympics Newly Constructed Venues as well as 2016 Summer Olympics Temporary Venues.
There are 14 venues which although have been in existence, needed to be renovated to meet the 2016 Summer Olympics threshold.
These existing venues are:
Previously existing 2016 Summer Olympics Copacabana venue cluster
Marina da Gloria is part of Copacabana Olympics clusters, this is because it’s part of Flamingo Park which is in the Copacabana Cluster if Rio Olympics venues. It’s located north of all the other Copacabana venues some few kilometers south of Santos Dumont Airport. This is a venue dedicated to Aquatic events as it will host Rio 2016 sailing events and has capacity to hold 10,000 fans.
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, it actually a lagoon no wonder the name and is located in the Copacabana Venue Clusters north west of Fort Copacabana. With a capacity to hold 14000 spectators it will host Canoe or Kayak sprints and the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics rowing sport.
Previously existing 2016 Summer Olympics Deodora venue cluster
National Equestrian Center will host Equestrian sport with a capacity to hold 14000 spectators; its part Deodora Cluster of venues constructed in 2007 and renovated in the years 2010 and 2011. It has costed Brazil 11 million to renovate its part of both Summer Olympics as well as 2016 Rio Paralympics. It’s the only Deodora venue located slightly away from the rest and it will host the Equestrian Sport for both men and women in the coming 2016 Summer Olympics.
National Shooting Centre also in Deodora Olympics Clusters it will host as the name suggests 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics shooting events. With a capacity to hold almost 7000 spectators, clustered together with other Deodora venues
Previously existing 2016 Summer Olympics Barra Tijuca venue cluster
Rio Olympics Arena which was formerly referred to as RioArena and has changed names 2 times. After its construction from November 2005 to its inauguration in 2007 it was known as RioArena and hosted some of Pan American sports in 2007. From March of 2008 it was referred to as Rio Olympics Arena is part of 2016 Olympics Barra Clusters. It also goes with the name of HSBC just like Buffalo Arena in New York. It has a capacity to hold about 15000 fans and will be the venue for gymnastics
Rio Centre is a cluster of 3 venues which are Pavilion 2, 3 and 4. Rio Centro is part of Barra Olympics Clusters North East of the other 7 Olympics venues in Barra. The Rio Centro venues have:-
Pavilion 2 which will be the venue for boxing and has capacity to hold 9000 fans
Pavilion 2 table tennis for both Olympics and Paralympics [7000 Capacity]
Pavilion 4 will host badminton [6500 Capacity]
Pavilion 6 will host summer Olympics, weight lifting and Paralympics power lifting. Is a temporary venue and has capacity to hold 6500 spectators
Rio centre is one of the venues hosting both Summer Olympics and Paralympics. It is the largest exhibition center in both Central and South America.
It was constructed in 1977 and has 6 pavilions; pavilion 1 to pavilion 6.
It also has a hotel; hotel Grand Maercure Rio centre.
Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Barra da Jijuca Olympics Cluster. Named in honor of great Brazilian swimmer Maria Lenk who died aged 82 years on the 6th April 2007 and was the first Brazilian swimmer to participate in a Summer Olympics swimming sport, she was 17 years old when she took part in the 1932 summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, USA. She died 3 months before the Aquatic Centre opening in July 2007, hence the name for her honor. This Aquatic Centre will be the venue for some of the Rio 2016 summer Olympics water polo activities, Maria Lenk is part of Olympics Training Center.
Previously existing 2016 Summer Olympics Maracanã venue cluster
Sambodrome Marquês de Sapucaí , or simply known as Sambodrome is part of the Maracana Venue Clusters and is located East of Santos Dumont Airport and South of Port of Rio de Janeiro. With a capacity to hold 36000 spectators, it will host Archery and Athletics Marathon for both Olympics and Paralympics. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, who passed away in December of 2012 and was renowned and a highly awarded architect and designed some of the iconic structure in Brazil including Cathedral of Brasilia and the National Congress of Brazil. Sambodrome was constructed in 1984. Its renovation has doubled the capacity from initial 18000 to 36000
Estadio Maracana or the Maracana stadium as its commonly known but with its official name as Estádio Jornalista, Mario Filho is the official Summer Olympics stadium. This iconic stadium that is owned by the state of Rio de Janeiro has its pitch made of a grass surface. The stadium constructions started on the 2nd of August in 1948 and took 20 months to complete. It was officially opened on the 16 of the June 1950.
Since its construction it has hosted very many events. Estadio Maracanat has been renovated 3 times, first on 2000, then 2006 and 2013 as part of FIFA World Cup renovation. This iconic stadium will host the opening and closing ceremony of both Rio 2016 summer Olympics and Rio 2016 Paralympics. Besides it will host the following football matches
Maracanizno Arena is part of the Maracana stadium complex. With a capacity to hold 12000 fans, it will be the venue for volleyball sport for both men and women
Another existing venue in the Maracana Cluster is Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, which is also referred to as the Olympics Stadium and has been nicknamed Engenhão or at times called the Estádio Nilton Santos , after a Brazilian striker; the late Nílton dos Santos. Estádio Olímpico João Havelange is part of the Maracana Olympics Clusters and will host track and field events for the athletics sport. It took 3 years to build with its construction starting in the year 2003 and completed in 2007, all this costing the Brazilian tax payers 192 million dollars.
