RIO DE JANEIRO — When the strains of samba draw 7,000 dancers onto the grass at Rio's massive Maracana Stadium today, it will mark more than the opening ceremonies of the 15th Pan American Games. It also will mark the beginning of an enormous gamble by the government and civic leaders of Brazil.
Because while the multi-sport, Olympic-style competition is one of the largest and most prestigious athletic festivals in the world, for Brazil it's seen as a way to boost the country's image internationally and to provide a steppingstone toward the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, both of which the country is hoping to lure to Rio.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday July 17, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 33 words Type of Material: Correction
Soccer: In Friday's Sports section, an article on the Pan American Games said Brazil hadn't played host to a major sporting event in 57 years. Brazil hosted the Pan Am Games in 1963.
If it succeeds, Brazil could realize billions in additional tourist-related revenue. But if it fails it could be decades before the country, which hasn't played host to a major sporting event in 57 years, is asked to stage another.
More than 5,500 athletes from 42 countries in the Western Hemisphere will participate in 30 sports during the 17-day event, and Brazil has certainly spent lavishly on the preparations. More than $1.5 billion has been invested in the construction of new venues, such as 45,000-seat Joao Havelange Stadium, and for improvements to existing ones, such as hulking Maracana Stadium, which was built for the 1950 World Cup, the last major international sports event contested in Brazil.
The real test for Rio, however, will be making the city safe. It's no secret that the city is dangerous and crime-ridden, with gangs controlling sizable areas of the teeming hillside slums, some just a short distance from Games venues.
Less than three weeks ago a shootout close to the city's international airport forced the closing of a runway because bullets were coming dangerously close to aircraft trying to land. And at the end of June more than a dozen suspected criminals were killed in a running battle with more than 1,300 police officers backed by armored vehicles and helicopters.
"The Pan Ams may be a way to improve the image of Rio, to show its beauties and capability of organization -- which, unfortunately, is not big," said Heitor Augusto, a 22-year-old college student. "These [police] initiatives show that concern. In Rio it is common to see the police walking around with guns, but it's visible that it has gotten much more impressive with the Pan Ams coming closer."
