Summer RIO 2016 - Rio Calling (Share pics & stories of your visit)

[RussellEbertHandball]

I know there are a couple of posters who said they were going to go to Rio. This thread is for them to tell us about their experience on the ground in Rio.

Also a Port board poster, joined April 2015 diegodcg a Brazilian national and quickly became an international Port Adelaide member, works for the Rio OCOG and also worked on 2014 World Cup. So we have had a bit of unique insight to the games on the Port board and I asked Diego if he was happy to participate in this thread, and he agreed.

He works in the OC3 department - it stands for Operational Readiness and C3 - Communication, Command, Control - and is the area responsible for running the MOC (Main Operations Centre) during the Test Events and on Games Time. He is Senior Analyst or was when he joined Bigfooty last year. He is going to attend events as well as work on the games.

Diego will try and answer your questions about the games, but he isn't going to answer those that breach any confidentiality so he wouldn't want to focus on contentious issues, just talk about the experience, the games, and maybe give some basic info about where events are, the stadiums, transport etc.

Diego as an opening question can you explain a little about the 4 Olympic zones, distances from the centre of Rio, how you have had to go from working close to downtown for a couple of years to moving to Barra during the games, and how much has Barra and Deodoro area been transformed by building of Olympic infrastructure.

 

[pepsi]

I'll be in rio from the 8th til the 24th and have a bunch of events to attend (that is if my tickets arrive safely in rio from australia).

I'll be happy to share some of my experiences with you all. Big ticket events I'll attend will be the night of the 100m and 200m mens final with bolt hopefully. A night at the velodrome. Men's basketball quarter finals. Handball semi finals.

 

[diegodcg]

I know there are a couple of posters who said they were going to go to Rio. This thread is for them to tell us about their experience on the ground in Rio.

Also a Port board poster, joined April 2015 diegodcg a Brazilian national and quickly became an international Port Adelaide member, works for the Rio OCOG and also worked on 2014 World Cup. So we have had a bit of unique insight to the games on the Port board and I asked Diego if he was happy to participate in this thread, and he agreed.

He works in the OC3 department - it stands for Operational Readiness and C3 - Communication, Command, Control - and is the area responsible for running the MOC (Main Operations Centre) during the Test Events and on Games Time. He is Senior Analyst or was when he joined Bigfooty last year. He is going to attend events as well as work on the games.

Diego will try and answer your questions about the games, but he isn't going to answer those that breach any confidentiality so he wouldn't want to focus on contentious issues, just talk about the experience, the games, and maybe give some basic info about where events are, the stadiums, transport etc.

Diego as an opening question can you explain a little about the 4 Olympic zones, distances from the centre of Rio, how you have had to go from working close to downtown for a couple of years to moving to Barra during the games, and how much has Barra and Deodoro area been transformed by building of Olympic infrastructure.

Hi, sorry for the delay in answering this - things have been frantic at work and in my personal life as well!

I still work in the OC3 department - as part of the Main Operations Centre (MOC) staff - but I've been promoted to Operations Planning Specialist in December 2015.

As for the 4 zones, they are Maracanã, Copacabana, Barra and Deodoro.

I live in Maracanã so that's the one I'm most familiar with. That's the zone the Rio 2016 HQ is located in and where I've been working for the past 2 years, up until I moved to Barra a couple of weeks ago. It's been quite a change - I used to be only 2 subway stations from work, now I need quite a long drive. But I'm definitely enjoying being inside the Olympic Park and seeing all the movement around here... it helps feeling the vibe of the games, whereas staying in the HQ, I feel, wouldn't have been that fun.

The Copacabana Zone comprises locations in the South Zone, where most of the touristic attractions are. That's where the most famous locations in Rio are and where I always advise tourists to stay in normal visits, although if you're coming specifically for the Games staying in Barra, for example, could be a good idea.

Both Maracanã and Copacabana are easy locations to get to through buses and subway. Barra and Deodoro are more complicated, but things are improving. The subway is getting to Barra (although still quite a distance from the Olympic Park) and to Deodoro you need to go by train; at this point the new station isn't open yet but is supposed to be ready soon. New BRT lines are also helping the traffic and public transport a lot. Barra is the "heart" of the games, where the Olympic Park is located and quite a lot of the venues are here.

I admit I haven't been to Deodoro yet, so this is the zone I know the least about. I have tickets for Hockey and Rugby and I'm looking forward to visiting the area.

I'll be in rio from the 8th til the 24th and have a bunch of events to attend (that is if my tickets arrive safely in rio from australia).

I'll be happy to share some of my experiences with you all. Big ticket events I'll attend will be the night of the 100m and 200m mens final with bolt hopefully. A night at the velodrome. Men's basketball quarter finals. Handball semi finals.

I have quite a lot of tickets, and I know for a fact I won't be able to go to all of them, as some times clash. I have some difficult decisions to make but I'm waiting to see the teams that will qualify before I make them. I'm working night shifts in order to have the day free and go to as many events as possible. Sleep is overrated anyway.

My tickets are for:

04/08 - Football - Men's Group Stage (Honduras v Algeria & Portugal v Argentina)
06/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v France)
07/08 - Football - Men's Group Stage (Honduras v Portugal & Argentina v Algeria)
08/08 - Tennis - Men's and Women's Simple and Doubles - 2nd round
09/08 - Rugby - Men's Group Stage (6 matches)
09/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Spain v Brazil)
10/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v USA)
11/08 - Rugby - Men's 5th-8th dispute, Bronze match and Final
13/08 - Basketball - Men's Group stage (Argentina v Brazil)
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
18/08 - Hockey - Men's Final
18/08 - Volleyball - Women's Semifinal (both games)
19/08 - Badminton - Men's and Women's Simple and Doubles - Semifinals and Finals
19/08 - Basketball - Men's Semifinal
19/08 - Hockey - Women's Final
19/08 - Football - Women's Final
19/08 - Volleyball - Men's Semifinals (both games)
20/08 - Badminton - Men's Simple Finals
20/08 - Handball - Women's Final
20/08 - Football - Men's Final

Focus on collective sports which are my favourite - the exceptions being Tennis and Badminton.

 

[Trotts]

I'll be in Rio from 10/8 - 20/8 for the Olympic games and then back from 14/9 - 20/9 for the Paralympics.
We have tickets for 10 events:

12/08 - Rowing
13/08 - Athletics session
13/08 - Volleyball
14/08 - Hockey mens quarter finals
14/08 - Athletics session (includes 100m final, 400m final)
15/08 - Basketball
16/08 - Mens Weightlifting
17/08 - Athletics Session
19/08 - Diving
19/08 - Basetball mens semi final

We are staying in Ipanema - loving all the news stories so far!

 

[Black_White]

This thread makes me jealous.
Good luck guys. Enjoy the premier sporting event in the world.
And special thanks to diegodcg for sharing his insider view, while I'm sure he cannot tell us the day to day dramas associated with running an OG, I sure hope he will fill us in after the dust settles .
It's a huge program crammed into a short period of time. There will be many disasters behind the scenes.

 

[Satan]

Hi, sorry for the delay in answering this - things have been frantic at work and in my personal life as well!

I still work in the OC3 department - as part of the Main Operations Centre (MOC) staff - but I've been promoted to Operations Planning Specialist in December 2015.

As for the 4 zones, they are Maracanã, Copacabana, Barra and Deodoro.

I live in Maracanã so that's the one I'm most familiar with. That's the zone the Rio 2016 HQ is located in and where I've been working for the past 2 years, up until I moved to Barra a couple of weeks ago. It's been quite a change - I used to be only 2 subway stations from work, now I need quite a long drive. But I'm definitely enjoying being inside the Olympic Park and seeing all the movement around here... it helps feeling the vibe of the games, whereas staying in the HQ, I feel, wouldn't have been that fun.

The Copacabana Zone comprises locations in the South Zone, where most of the touristic attractions are. That's where the most famous locations in Rio are and where I always advise tourists to stay in normal visits, although if you're coming specifically for the Games staying in Barra, for example, could be a good idea.

Both Maracanã and Copacabana are easy locations to get to through buses and subway. Barra and Deodoro are more complicated, but things are improving. The subway is getting to Barra (although still quite a distance from the Olympic Park) and to Deodoro you need to go by train; at this point the new station isn't open yet but is supposed to be ready soon. New BRT lines are also helping the traffic and public transport a lot. Barra is the "heart" of the games, where the Olympic Park is located and quite a lot of the venues are here.

I admit I haven't been to Deodoro yet, so this is the zone I know the least about. I have tickets for Hockey and Rugby and I'm looking forward to visiting the area.



I have quite a lot of tickets, and I know for a fact I won't be able to go to all of them, as some times clash. I have some difficult decisions to make but I'm waiting to see the teams that will qualify before I make them. I'm working night shifts in order to have the day free and go to as many events as possible. Sleep is overrated anyway.

My tickets are for:

04/08 - Football - Men's Group Stage (Honduras v Algeria & Portugal v Argentina)
06/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v France)
07/08 - Football - Men's Group Stage (Honduras v Portugal & Argentina v Algeria)
08/08 - Tennis - Men's and Women's Simple and Doubles - 2nd round
09/08 - Rugby - Men's Group Stage (6 matches)
09/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Spain v Brazil)
10/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v USA)
11/08 - Rugby - Men's 5th-8th dispute, Bronze match and Final
13/08 - Basketball - Men's Group stage (Argentina v Brazil)
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
18/08 - Hockey - Men's Final
18/08 - Volleyball - Women's Semifinal (both games)
19/08 - Badminton - Men's and Women's Simple and Doubles - Semifinals and Finals
19/08 - Basketball - Men's Semifinal
19/08 - Hockey - Women's Final
19/08 - Football - Women's Final
19/08 - Volleyball - Men's Semifinals (both games)
20/08 - Badminton - Men's Simple Finals
20/08 - Handball - Women's Final
20/08 - Football - Men's Final

Focus on collective sports which are my favourite - the exceptions being Tennis and Badminton.

The head of the FF&e in rio is an aussie

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

The head of the FF&e in rio is an aussie

His boss is an Aussie and he has told me he works with lots of them. Since Sydney 2000 lots of Aussies have become professional games organisers, working on Olympic Games, different bid cities, Comm Games, Asian Games, Pan Pacs etc. Sydney was so well run a lot of people became in big demand. The Greek Organising Committee employed a lot of Aussies from Sydney with 12 months to go, Sebastian Coe pinched a whole lot 7 months before the 2012 vote, when he took over a poorly run bid team in late 2004, ie many who had worked on both Sydney and then Athens.

 

[Satan]

His boss is an Aussie and he has told me he works with lots of them. Since Sydney 2000 lots of Aussies have become professional games organisers, working on Olympic Games, different bid cities, Comm Games, Asian Games, Pan Pacs etc. Sydney was so well run a lot of people became in big demand. The Greek Organising Committee employed a lot of Aussies from Sydney with 12 months to go, Sebastian Coe pinched a whole lot 7 months before the 2012 vote, when he took over a poorly run bid team in late 2004, ie many who had worked on both Sydney and then Athens.

The guy I mentioned goes between oly games and comm games

 

[pepsi]

I'm on the bus heading to rio. I'm going to the opening ceremony tonight so pumped for it and the games in general.

First event, boomers vs France tomorrow afternoon.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I'm on the bus heading to rio. I'm going to the opening ceremony tonight so pumped for it and the games in general.

First event, boomers vs France tomorrow afternoon.

Need pictures pepsi

 

[pepsi]

Need pictures pepsi

I'll do my best. Don't have mobile data so relying on wifi solely, which I have on the bus right now.

 

[Satan]

Are photos of samba dancers ok as sambas are such an important part of brazillian culture

 

[Satan]

I'll do my best. Don't have mobile data so relying on wifi solely, which I have on the bus right now.

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/hacker-alert-how-keep-your-info-safe-olympics-n606041

 

[diegodcg]

Went to the Australia v France men's basketball game in the afternoon. I really enjoyed the arena (Carioca Arena 1) and the Australian team was impressive. Looking the rosters of both sides, I was thinking France had to be the favourites, but they proved to be a major disappointment. I particularly enjoyed watching Joe Ingles, a Utah Jazz player and a personal favourite of mine.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

You could be watching a lot of Oz teams play diegodcg as per a cut an paste of your team schedule. Why have the split the baskeball into different arenas for men's and women's tournaments?? Using an existing smaller venue for the women? I think this is the first time that's been done - or 2 venues not near each other. How far is it from Barra to Deodora and is there a train line or just buses? Im thinking if you are a basketball nut and want to follow one of teams that has both men's and women's team you are doing a bit of travelling back and forth between venues.

06/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v France)
09/08 - Rugby - Men's Group Stage (6 matches)
10/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v USA)
11/08 - Rugby - Men's 5th-8th dispute, Bronze match and Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
18/08 - Hockey - Men's Final
19/08 - Basketball - Men's Semifinal *** with a bit of luck
19/08 - Hockey - Women's Final

 

[diegodcg]

You could be watching a lot of Oz teams play diegodcg as per a cut an paste of your team schedule. Why have the split the baskeball into different arenas for men's and women's tournaments?? Using an existing smaller venue for the women? I think this is the first time that's been done - or 2 venues not near each other. How far is it from Barra to Deodora and is there a train line or just buses? Im thinking if you are a basketball nut and want to follow one of teams that has both men's and women's team you are doing a bit of travelling back and forth between venues.

06/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v France)
09/08 - Rugby - Men's Group Stage (6 matches)
10/08 - Basketball - Men's Group Stage (Australia v USA)
11/08 - Rugby - Men's 5th-8th dispute, Bronze match and Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
17/08 - Basketball - Men's Quarter Final
18/08 - Hockey - Men's Final
19/08 - Basketball - Men's Semifinal *** with a bit of luck
19/08 - Hockey - Women's Final

Barra to Deodoro used to take a lot of time but now with the new BRT (buses in exclusive lines) it is supposed to take only 15-20 minutes. I haven't been to Deodoro yet (will do tomorrow to watch the Rugby final) so will be able to confirm.

The women's basketball is in Deodoro only for the group stage. Knockout games will also be at the Carioca Arena 1 which is a bigger venue.

Australia has been quite impressive on men's basketball. They did very well vs France and got close to beating the USA tonight. They should go far in the competition.

I didn't go to that 09/08 rugby session, but I got a couple of tickets for the Velodrome on Friday - going to watch Sir Bradley Wiggins in the team's pursuit. I also won tickets to watch Fencing, I may watch a little bit of it tomorrow morning.

 

[diegodcg]

Went to the Velodrome today. Fantastic experience. Saw about 5 records being broken, with Team GB - led by Sir Bradley Wiggins - winning gold in the main event. Against Australia, sadly! I must admit I was rooting for Wiggins, though.

 

[pepsi]

What an incredible first week it's been. Having an absolute blast here in rio trying to attend as much as I can. I've seen every boomers game and they are performing at a level I've not seen before. Saw the opals beat France in a dominant performance. Went to watch chalmers win gold in the 100, saw Phelps win another gold, watched some beach volleyball on copacabana and Brazil play the usa in indoor volleyball which was the best atmosphere I've encountered. Got drunk at the Heineken Holland house with some Dutchies, had too many caipirinhas one night, just saw Nadal win doubles gold, watched the men's 1/4 finals table tennis which was way more exciting than expected, saw some archery and now I'm in olympic park with hundreds of Brazilians watching the matildas brazil game on the big screen.

I want to relive the entire first week again, but hey there is 1 more week to go.

 

[diegodcg]

What an incredible first week it's been. Having an absolute blast here in rio trying to attend as much as I can. I've seen every boomers game and they are performing at a level I've not seen before. Saw the opals beat France in a dominant performance. Went to watch chalmers win gold in the 100, saw Phelps win another gold, watched some beach volleyball on copacabana and Brazil play the usa in indoor volleyball which was the best atmosphere I've encountered. Got drunk at the Heineken Holland house with some Dutchies, had too many caipirinhas one night, just saw Nadal win doubles gold, watched the men's 1/4 finals table tennis which was way more exciting than expected, saw some archery and now I'm in olympic park with hundreds of Brazilians watching the matildas brazil game on the big screen.

I want to relive the entire first week again, but hey there is 1 more week to go.

I'm glad you're enjoying it mate, the atmosphere in the city has been brilliant. I wish this could go on for months! Haha
Also, I want to attend every Olympics from now on.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Sounds pretty much like what I was lucky enough to experience in Sydney - best 3 weeks holiday I've ever had and it was in my then home town.

 

[diegodcg]

I am a huge fan of Marta and I have tickets for the Women's Football Final. So... phew, I'm so relieved Brazil have gone through against Australia!

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I am a huge fan of Marta and I have tickets for the Women's Football Final. So... phew, I'm so relieved Brazil have gone through against Australia!

Was their panic when it went to penalties? What is Brazil's record like?

 

[Trotts]

Have arrived in Rio, the atmosphere is amazing in copacabana. Our first day we had no event's so were at the beach and did sugar loaf mountain. Saw ch 7 crew And Gill Mchlachlin up the top.
Went to the rowing yesterday, unfortunately it was raining but still packed. Went to lapa And did the lapa steps which was again packed. Military / police presence is pretty crazy, they are everywhere. Pepsi where is the Heineken Holland house? And have you done much scalping? Today we go to athletics and indoor volleyball. Public transport has been great so far.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

I'm unfamiliar with diegodcg as a poster. Is he an actual Brazilian who has sufficient interest in footy to follow the season and post here regularly?

 

[Arden]

Have arrived in Rio, the atmosphere is amazing in copacabana. Our first day we had no event's so were at the beach and did sugar loaf mountain. Saw ch 7 crew And Gill Mchlachlin up the top.
Went to the rowing yesterday, unfortunately it was raining but still packed. Went to lapa And did the lapa steps which was again packed. Military / police presence is pretty crazy, they are everywhere. Pepsi where is the Heineken Holland house? And have you done much scalping? Today we go to athletics and indoor volleyball. Public transport has been great so far.

You had the opportunity to push Hamish off the top of a mountain and you didn't?

I'll have the Federal Police waiting for you at the airport.