Rio Secures "Crucial" Transport Funding; Women's Curling World Champs

Rio Secures Transport Funding

Nearly $1 billion in government funds will be used to build two public transportation projects in the city of Rio de Janeiro, both described as "crucial" for the 2016 Olympics.

On Wednesday, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff and Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio de Janeiro, announced they would contribute 1.63 billion Reals, or $900 million, for construction of Rio’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line on Avenue Brasil, the Transbrasil, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line in the Central area.

Four lanes in the BRT system will connect airports in the city to Olympic venues or clusters, and the LRT will link existing mass transportation systems and Olympic venues.

"I would like to congratulate our dear friend [Rio 2016 president Carlos Arthur] Nuzman," Rousseff said, saying he represents "all the major events we will host here in the city of Rio de Janeiro."

She added: "It is important to realize that all these events will be supported with an enormous effort from the Federal, State and Municipal Governments, to leave a legacy to this city’s people."

Work is already underway on portions of the two projects, with the next phase having a 36-month construction timetable.

"The guaranteed investments from the Federal and City Governments show the commitment and integration of all government levels with Rio 2016," Nuzman said. "They also ensure safe and efficient transportation during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games. And above all, it demonstrates that the event will bring deep and positive transformations to the city."

Women’s Curling World Champs

USA and Canada will square off for the last semifinal spot at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship.

Sweden, Switzerland and South Korea are already through to the final four in Lethbridge, Canada with Korea awaiting the winner of Friday afternoon’s tiebreaker.

As the top two ranked teams from group play, Sweden and Switzerland will play Friday night with the winner getting a place in Sunday’s final. The loser, however, will meet the winner of the other semiwith a berth in the finals at stake.

Olympic Football Berth

Oceania's sole spot in the men’s Olympic football competition at London 2012 is up for grabs Sunday.

New Zealand booked its berth in the finals of the continental qualification tournament by edging Vanuatu 3-2 and will now meet Fiji, who shut out Papua New Guinea 3-0 in Friday’s other semifinal.

Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand will host the decisive match.

Fields Set for Paralympic Team Sports

Team sport qualifications are now complete for the London 2012 Paralympics.

Great Britain accepted a slot in the men's sitting volleyball competition on Friday, finalizing the field for that sport.

Footballfive-a-side, football seven-a-side, goalball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby are the other five team sports in the Games.

Click here to see which countries will compete in each of the six Paralympic team sports.

Sochi Cultural Olympiad Heads East

The easternmost part of Russia will play host to exceptional classical music as part of the Sochi 2014 Cultural Olympiad.

On Friday, the organizing committee announced that part of The Kamchatka Spring Festival will feature soloists from La Scala theater in Milan and the Bolshoi Theater. Additionally, this year’s festival will also feature the winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition, cellist Umberto Clerici, violinist Karen Shakhgaldyan, pianist Ksenia Bashmet, Grammy-nominated classical guitarist Dmitry Illarionov and more.

Media Watch

The past success of the Italian men’s volleyball team may be hurting its current performance.

The Associated Press reports on indigenous Brazilians squatting next to Rio’s Maracana Stadium and their forced move due to the Games.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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