The 35 million Brazilian reals (£13 million/$20 million/€15 million) renovation of the Sambodromo - which means the "stadium of samba" - was completed as scheduled by Rio de Janeiro's city Government, in time for Carnival 2012 next week, and over four years ahead of the Rio 2016 Games.

With the renovation, the project created in 1984 by Oscar Niemeyer is now completed.

Fittingly, Niemeyer (pictured below in wheelchair), who is now aged 104, and is renowned as one of Brazil's greatest ever architects, was there for the reopening. 


Four new grandstands were built on one of the sides of the Sambodromo, similar to those located on the opposite side, increasing capacity from 60,000 to 72,500 people.

"The opening of the Sambodromo is a testament to how the Games are integrated with the city," said Carlos Nuzman, the President of Rio 2016.

"The choice of this venue for the archery and the marathon events not only gives us the opportunity to stage sports competitions against a worldwide known setting, but also offers Rio de Janeiro a renovated, enlarged stage for one of the city's largest popular celebrations.

"For the Rio 2016 Games, it also means completing a sports venue over four years in advance."

Almost 600 construction worked around the clock to ensure the start, started after last year's Carnival, was completed in time.

The venue was adapted to offer better access to people with disabilities, more open boxes - raising from 1,094 to 1,823) - and new and bigger hospitality boxes with balconies.

The Sambodromo will also have sound systems on both sides of the road.

The Rio de Janeiro city Government has also recovered the structure and painting of the existing facilities and renovated the museum and the stage of the Apoteose Square, located at the end of the Sambodromo.


"With over four years to go to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro has already completed two construction works: first, the Athletes' Park, and now, the Sambodromo," said Eduardo Paes (pictured above in white shirt on knees), the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro.

"I must say the idea of completing Niemeyer's project has resulted from the Brazilian Olympic dream.

"The great moment Rio will experience in 2016 will acclaim this place, which is Rio de Janeiro's landmark."

Participants in the race that marked the venue's reopening, which started and finished at the Sambodromo, just like the Olympic marathon will do in 2016, were invited to run wearing Carnival costumes to the sound of past and current samba school songs.

The participants included Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, the bronze medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games marathon and winner of the International Olympic Committee's Pierre de Coubertin medal, which was awarded to him after he was attacked by a laicized Irish priest while he was leading the race at 35km.

"These grandstands will certainly be filled for the Rio Olympic Games marathon finish, which will further motivate and encourage the athletes, making this moment even more special," said de Lima.

"I will not be competing in 2016, but today I've had an idea of what the event will be like, and I will certainly watch it."


After the race, several samba schools performed the traditional floor-washing ceremony for good luck.

After that, the Beija-Flor samba school from Nilopolis, Carnival 2011's winner, tried the new lighting and sound systems during the last technical rehearsal for next week's Carnival.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]