To host the 2007 Pan American Games, the City of Sports Complex, administered by Rio de Janeiro City Hall and an arena of important international motor sport races such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, CART IndyCar Racing and Motorcycle Speed Races, was turned into a mega sports complex with the capacity to stage several sport disciplines.
The site now counts on modern constructions such as the Rio Olympic Arena, where the Games' Basketball and Artistic Gymnastics competitions was held; the Maria Lenk National Aquatic Center, venue for the Swimming, Synchronized Swimming and Diving competitions; and the Barra Velodrome, where the Cycling (track) and Speed Skating events took place.
The Complex also played an important role in the Parapan American Games Rio 2007; the Rio Olympic Arena was the place of the Opening and Closing ceremonies and also the arena for Wheelchair Basketball, and the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park held the Swimming competitions.
Since Rio de Janeiro won the bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, the City of Sports Complex will receive a bigger extension. The existing Arena, Aquatic Centre, and Velodrome will be used for the Games. Several new venues will also be built for the Games, including a bigger Aquatics Stadium, the Olympic Training Center, with four pavilions, a Small Field Hockey Arena, and a new Tennis Centre. The Riocentro who's close from the Olympic Park will also be part of the Barra Cluster. And the Olympic Village will be constructed near this sports complex.
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