The unifying power of Rio's Olympics will last well beyond 2016. P. Engelbrecht / Rio City Hall

Global athletic competitions to have long-lasting effects for their host city

A shift in politics and ambitions within the world's sporting organizations has meant that more and more developing nations are being selected to host major global sporting events.

However, it seemed incredible to many that Brazil was awarded both the World Cup and the Olympics, and that they would take place within two years of each other.

Those decisions meant that the city of Rio de Janeiro not only had to gear up for the two most-recognized global sporting events, but that it would also have to host the Confederations Cup and the Paralympics.

Traditionally, the Confederations Cup is used as a practice run for the World Cup. It is held one year before the main event and has, in recent years, become a well-attended event with enough of a following to be viewed as a considerable international sporting competition.

The Paralympics are run either in parallel with the games or slightly after the main Olympics.

So essentially Rio will be hosting four major events in the span of three years. In addition, it has also had to prepare for the World Military Games held last year.

With so many sporting champions, avid supporters, global sponsors and international political leaders heading for the city, Rio had to implement planning, investment, infrastructure rebuilding programs and a general cleanup to ensure complete readiness.

As Julio Bueno, secretary of economic development for the state of Rio, has pointed out, "Rio de Janeiro is at a unique moment in its history; the federal, state and municipal governments are all aligned, having been chosen to host the biggest events in the world."

United efforts are not just about being ready for the events but also about using the events to propel Rio onto the world stage, increase interest and promote investment in the state for the future benefit of its residents.

"This is the ideal environment to show that the state of Rio is attractive for new investments so it can generate employment and income for its growing population," Bueno added.

For that statement to ring true, Rio needs to get its planning and timing absolutely right. The city seems on track to meet its commitments and ideals.

During their latest visit to the city in March, the International Olympic Committee claimed that while there was not a second to lose, they were very pleased with the progress made so far.

"The challenge in front of the Brazilian team is an impressive one given the scale of the Games project and I can say that Rio 2016 and its partners continue to deliver successfully on their commitments," stated coordination commission leader Nawal El Moutawakel.

With Rio on the right path, it looks like the city will be able to attract investment interest and gain an international reputation. Money is sure to pour into the city, and on a national scale, it is thought that the positive economic impact of the games could be as much as $50 billion.

(China Daily 04/30/2012 page12)