BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhuanet) -- After numerous delays, it looks like the legendary Maracana stadium is set to be delivered to FIFA on Thursday. The venue has undergone three renovations since 2000, and cost about half a billion dollars to be refurbished.
The Maracana will stage seven games, with the first being Argentina against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 15th, including the tournament's final game. Because of the delays in construction, there is little time for FIFA officials to ensure that the stadium will be up to its standards, but with so little time before the World Cup it will have to do. One of the major concerns ahead of the event is security, but officials in Rio believe they will be prepared.
"We have the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, Rio Police, Federal Police, more than 20,000 men to provide security and comfort for those coming for the World Cup. It's not new for Rio to organise big events. Over the last 20 years we hosted many including, the Pope's visit, the Confederations Cup and more recently and they all turned out peaceful, and successful. And the visitors coming to Rio return home happy and they want to return to Rio to have more good memories. We are sure that the World Cup will be another landmark, another legacy of this feeling." said Leonardo Espindola, Chief of Staff, Rio de Janeiro State Government.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
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