São Paulo's Arena Corinthians Needs $9M In Temporary Structures To Host Games

The "realization" of Olympic football games at São Paulo's Arena Corinthians "faces a big obstacle: no one wants to pay" the nearly R$30M ($9.2M) for temporary structures needed for the event, according to Thadeu & Konchinski of UOL. Brasileiro side Corinthians "warned" that it would not "put in money to host the 10 matches of the 2016 Olympic Games and demanded financial guarantees from São Paulo City Hall for the loaning of the stadium." City Hall announced Tuesday that it would not offer "resources to prepare the arena." The Rio 2016 Committee also "does not want to pay for the temporary equipment" as it is already investing close to R$7B ($2.1B) in the Games. The "pressure over São Paulo rose" as Rio 2016 stated it "does not have a 'plan B.'" Municipal Secretary of Sports & Leisure Celso Jatene said, "All costs are in the hands of all involved in the Olympics, but São Paulo has other priorities. São Paulo wants to contribute along with Rio de Janeiro, but we can't take funds from our budget" (UOL, 3/17).