Five Brazilian Cities in Play for Olympic Football

(ATR) Rio 2016 says Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Sao Paolo and Salvador are eligible to host matches for the 2016 Olympic football tournament.

According to a release on Feb. 12, the five cities meet all the requirements from the organizing committee and the Olympic Public Authority’s matrix of responsibilities to host matches.

All five cities hosted matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Manaus was added to the list on Feb. 12, with media reports speculating that the city’s inclusion was to give Arena da Amazônia its first real legacy of the 2014 World Cup.

At a press conference, Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman said bringing football to Manaus symbolizes bringing the Games all of Brazil.

"The Amazon resonates as one of the most important emblems the world has," Nuzman said as reported by Brazilian newspaper Estadão.

The final decision on host cities will come from FIFA at their council meeting in March.

The 2014 Olympic football final will be held at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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