Maracanã May Need $5M Tunnel Widening; Rio State Government Refuses To Pay

Maracanã stadium's field entry tunnels may need to be widened for the Olympic Games opening ceremonies but those "will not be paid for by the Rio de Janeiro state government," according to Leonardo Filipo of GLOBO ESPORTE. State Secretary of Rio de Janeiro Leonardo Espíndola said, "The state government's word is that the Maracanã staged the World Cup finals, and it was ready, finished and perfect for shows and sporting events. The government will not invest more resources. If there is a request for an investment for the [entry] tunnel openings, that investment will not be made by the state government." The Rio 2016 organizing committee said that the Games' opening ceremonies project "is not a closed deal." However, should the tunnels need adjustments, R$15M ($5.1M) "would be necessary for the construction," which could end up being paid for by Rio 2016 (GLOBO ESPORTE, 4/25).