Brazil is a country with a developed sports infrastructure. It hosted the 2016 Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2014. But sports are unevenly promoted here.
Some key disciplines in the country receive special attention. They are the main sports in the state. For the rest, unfortunately, the industry is developing at a slow pace. But where Brazil is historically strong, sports receive special attention.
In what direction is Brazilian sport moving?
In assessing the comprehensive development of sports in the country, on a 10-point scale, Brazil can only be given a 4. The government actively supports only those areas that bring income to the country. They are the most common sports in the country. Among these disciplines are:
- soccer;
- volleyball;
- Formula One racing;
- tennis.
Of course, other sports in the country are also developing. But in these areas, there is a tendency for national support: infrastructure is being built, and local and international competitions are being sponsored.
Each country has its own sports thing. For example, today horse race tips in India are in great demand. Horse racing has become the hallmark of the region.
Soccer
Brazilian soccer is a work of art. Kaka, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Romario, Rivaldo, Neymar – the names of these athletes are known worldwide.
Brazil occupies the first line in the ranking of the most titled soccer powers. It hasn’t missed a single soccer championship. It has won the best five times in this tournament.
It was Brazil that was the first country that managed to take international championship awards on all continents of the globe. Other records of the country are:
- 4 victories in the Confederations Cup-the record is still valid;
- 9 victories in America’s Cup – the third highest number of awards after Uruguay and Argentina.
- 3 World Cups won out of 4 held during 1958-1970, a record for the number of first places during such a short period at the World Cup.
The Brazilian team is referred to by critics and fans as “The Chosen Ones. And this is no coincidence. Only this national team was able to achieve such attendance at key matches. The national team stars gave it a “second life” in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the team of the country of carnivals twice best at the World Championships. Given the mentioned merits, the development of soccer in the country is given tremendous attention.
How is soccer currently developing in Brazil?
The development of soccer in Brazil begins with giving children the opportunity to play from a young age. The country has many schools at all levels, where students can learn the national sport professionally.
Unfortunately, not all soccer colleges are available for free. But those who go to a regular Brazilian school and perform well in local competitions can make their way into the ranks of “future champions.
Over the past 10 years, the key support for soccer in Brazil was realized during the World Cup. The prize money then amounted to almost 450 million euros. In 2014, stadiums were rebuilt or renovated in several cities in the country, including Rio de Janeiro, where the final tournament was held. The key facilities created for the competition are still in operation.
But there are still problems in the development of soccer. Despite the Brazilians’ passion for soccer, the World Cup itself was in doubt. Due to a lack of funds, the stadiums were commissioned at the last minute. Still, Brazil managed to withstand the ordeal and hold everything on the appointed date. However, it was not possible to please the fans: in the match for third place, the national team dramatically lost to the Netherlands, despite the stands being filled.
Despite victories and defeats, soccer in the country is maintained and developed even in a crisis. An example is the hosting of America’s Cup at a time when the country had the second highest death toll from the coronavirus. Such actions by the authorities have drawn condemnation. But in terms of priorities, it was clear from them that sports of this level will always be supported by the state, even in critical situations.
The infrastructure allows for top-format competitions. Brazil has a large Maracana stadium, which is also considered the most famous in the world. Until recently, it was also the most spacious. This is the “Home” arena of the legendary Flamengo and Fluminense club. Before the Olympics, it had a capacity of 200,000 spectators, but then for security reasons, the part of the arena which could accommodate sections with fans was abolished.
Volleyball
Volleyball’s glorious tradition has a lot to do with the development of the domestic league. Brazil’s domestic league is believed to be one of the strongest in the volleyball world.
Among the most outstanding players in recent years are Gibe and Murilo. Both competed in the Olympics, where Brazil took home gold and silver medals. The team was top three times: in 1992, 2006, and 2014. In addition, the Brazilians have won first place in the World League 9 times without conceding in the 2003-2007 seasons to anyone for 26 consecutive games.
The development of sports is facilitated by the improvement of infrastructure. The government began to move in this direction after the team’s resplendent victories in the early 2000s. Before the 2016 Olympics, which took place in Rio, many of the volleyball courts were brought up to the international level. In addition to indoor competitions, beach volleyball is also developing in the country.
Tennis
But tennis in Brazil is developing not only on the courts. The tradition of the sport in Brazil, set by the great Gustavo Cuartin and his colleagues from big tennis, is actively promoted even now.
The country has more than 8,000 km of landscaped beaches. The climate makes it possible to hold competitions all year round. Therefore, when in 2013 the federation of the country decided to develop exactly the beach direction as tennis, and the sport quickly gained momentum.
The development of this direction was also facilitated by the construction of new facilities for the training of judges and service personnel. Judges had the opportunity to improve their skills at the official level, taking part in international competitions.
The growth of infrastructure contributed to the creation of a domestic beach tennis league. In addition, Brazil soon had its scoring system, which ranks tennis players on several levels. In beach tennis, as well as in lawn tennis, players are now divided into two categories: amateurs and professionals.
Apart from tennis, other beach sports are actively developing in Brazil. For example, volleyball and soccer. The favorable climate allows holding competitions of any level. School and student championships, field days, and international tournaments regularly take place on the beaches.
Formula 1
People in Brazil love racing. And not by chance. Ayrton Senna – the famous and titled driver of Formula 1, represented this country, and he dreamed of winning on his native circuit Interlagos. The athlete was preceded by the brilliant Nelson Piquet, whose name is given to one of Rio de Janeiro’s racetracks, as well as Emerson Fittipaldi.
The development of racing in Brazil is associated primarily with Formula 1. A stage of the Brazilian Grand Prix is held annually on the territory of the state. The race takes place in the large resort city of Sao Paulo. The autodrome is named after Jose-Carlos Pace.
It is noteworthy that until 1970, races of this level were not held in Brazil. And the situation would have remained unchanged, but the famous one-time car racer Emerson Fittipaldi in the season 1970-1971 was the best in Formula 1. After the success of the Brazilian, the athletes of this country began to be “listened to” seriously, and it was soon decided to use the territory of the state itself, namely the circuit in Sao Paulo, for one of the stages of the prestigious competitions.
In the 70s the circuit did not meet the requirements of modern racing sport. The track surface was uneven, with climbs and difficult descents. The hot Brazilian climate added to the problems of the racers. Therefore, after the construction (1940) the circuit remained empty for a long time – it was used only in races not higher than the local level.
But 30 years later, Formula 2 racing cars first appeared in Sao Paulo, and a couple of years later the F1 Grand Prix began to be held there.
The development of the sport was facilitated by the fact that from 7960 m Interlagos circuit, as it was in the ’70s, 20 years later it was reduced to 4325 m. It was even shorter than Brazil’s second famous racetrack, Jacarepagua. It was 5,031 meters long in the 1980s, but it was unremarkable apart from Alain Prost’s victories.
Improvements to the track have led to the fact that at the circuit in Rio de Janeiro, Formula 1 races became a regular occurrence. Especially after one of the stages was won by a Brazilian, the famous Ayrton Senna.
The racers considered the Interlagos a happy place. Those who managed to win first place here were the best in the season. In addition, the stands were always filled, which further increased investment in the sport of racing in Brazil.
