The biggest sporting event of the year – the FIFA World Cup 2014 – transforms Brazil into a month-long celebration of soccer, the world’s most popular sport. PENETRON provided key crystalline concrete treatments for the soccer stadiums and substantial civil projects.
From the pampas in Rio Grande do Sul in the south to the jungles of Manauas in the north, Brazil will host a sports event that is even bigger than the Olympics (also held every four years). The FIFA World Cup (June 12-July 13, 2014) will take place in 12 cities across Brazil's Atlantic coast, Amazonian interior, tropical north and European-influenced south.
All World Cups start long before the first kick-off and the PENETRON Brazil team has been working with local construction companies over the past four years to help build new, expansive stadiums and renovate existing sports venues – and also expand public transportation systems to get the spectators to the games.
Robert Revera, President and CEO of The PENETRON Group, has closely followed the progress. “Through PENETRON Brazil, we’ve been part of key infrastructure projects all over the country. It’s an incredible event and the perfect showcase for PENETRON crystalline technology.”
“Soccer is the biggest thing in Brazil,” adds Cláudio Neves Ourives, General Director of PENETRON Brazil. “For the PENETRON Brazil team – and for everyone in our country – hosting the World Cup is a dream come true!”
Brazil will unveil the results this month; here is a short overview of the projects that featurePENETRON crystalline technology(see website for all the individual projects completed):
- Sports stadiums – seven of the 12 World Cup stadiums depend on PENETRON technology (Arena Castelão, Arena Pernambuco, Arena Fonte Nova, Arena Grêmio, Mineirão Arena, Estádio Kleber Andrade, and Arena Corinthians
- Public transportation – major upgrades include the São Paulo Metro / Line 2 (“Green line”) and Line 4, and the Rio de Janeiro Metro / Line 4
- Shipping port – extensive renewal of Rio’s Porto Maravilha includes new museums, tunnels, water treatment plants and drainage systems
- Airport – a new terminal was added to South America’s largest airport at Guarulhos (São Paulo) Airport
“Let’s all remember the World Cup is, above all, a beautiful sporting event with astounding players from around the world,” adds Revera. “It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
“There will be some really great teams here this summer, but my team and I have a clear favorite,” Claudio Neves Ourives points out. “May the best team win!”
Aerial view of the Arena Pernambuco in Recife.
