More than 200 of Brazil's top competitors were competing in the first of four archery events to be held on the iconic venue over the next two years, the same location in which the city's world famous carnival takes place each year.

The 16-year-named, nicknamed the "Neymar of archery", triumphed in the individual, team and mixed team recurve competition, while fellow youngster Larissa Feitosa won the women's recurve event.

"I've been thinking about Rio 2016 since I joined the national team two years ago, and competing here at the Sambódromo only increases this," said Dalmeida, silver medallist at the World Cup Final in Lausanne in September. 

"I've already thought about how the venue will be and imagined competing in the final here, celebrating a gold medal with a big party going on in the stands.

"Just thinking about the possibility of this gives me goosebumps."

Marcus Dalmeida could be one of the host nation leading superstars at Rio 2016
©Alex Ferro/Rio 2016



Dalmeida, also a silver medallist at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing after carrying the Brazilian Flag at the Opening Ceremony, tutored two first time archers in the form of Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and Rio 2016 chief Carlos Nuzman following his success.

Enthusiasm was also voiced by Turkey's World Archery President Uğur Erdener, who described how these are "very exciting" times for archery.

"It will be an honour to stage our events in the iconic Sambodromo during the Rio 2016 Olympics," he said.

"Already, two years out, our National Federation in Brazil is able to use the Games venue to push archery into the heart of the downtown community in Rio de Janeiro."

During Rio 2016, the Sambodromo will host all archery and Para-archery events, including preliminary qualifying rounds, head-to-head eliminations and finals.

The eliminations and finals venue will seat approximately 7,000 ticketed spectators each session of the archery events of the Olympic Games and more than 4,000 spectators during the Paralympic Games.

The next opportunity to try out the venue will come from September 15 to 22 next year, when the AcqueceRio Test Event is due to be held. 

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