Rio Olympic Boulevard: For Gringos Too

(ATR) Brian Nowicki, 38, splits his time between Rio and the United States and the one question on his mind at the Olympic live site is: where are all the gringos?

Around the Rings spoke with Nowicki and other gringos, the Brazilian term for foreigners, at the Olympic Boulevard yesterday. The foreigners were standouts who, like the sea of Brazilians, were all there with the intention of soaking up the Olympic atmosphere. Located in the port area of Rio, the Olympic Boulevard is a five kilometer (3.1 mile) stretch of pedestrian area dedicated to showing Olympic sports and hosting concerts and sponsor activation events.

"Four or five years ago this place was nothing like this, and it has been completely transformed; this is not typically Brazilian," Nowicki said.

"I’ve been planning on being here during the Games for about 6-7 years. So far I think it is great, but I wish they had more of these big screens. Typically they have more of them, like during the World Cup, but for security reasons they aren’t doing it."

Brett Hughes and Courtney Nash, both in their mid-20's, came from all over California with their family to experience the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Like many foreigners they came prepared to see as many events as possible in the Olympic venues. The family had seen table tennis, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, and gymnastics before venturing out to the boulevard.

"It’s pretty awesome; I love how they set it up, it feels like every culture is involved here," Hughes said to ATR. "We have a couple more days here, so we will probably be back."

Nash said that she probably would never have come to Rio de Janeiro, or Brazil, if it were not for the Olympic Games and called the culture here, "different, but a good experience." She said that the boulevard reminded her of the iconic Times Square in New York City, because of the crowds and vibrant atmosphere.

"This is definitely one of the nicer parts," Nash added. "It is so lively!"

Martin, 24, and Emily Bradshaw, 25, are brother and sister who trekked from Manchester, England to see the Games. Their Games experience has just begun, having landed last night, but they made the journey from Barra da Tijuca all the way up to Praca Maua to check things out.

"I expected it to be more like dancing and partying, but I have enjoyed it," Emily said. "We’re seeing the athletics on Saturday, and that’s exciting."

The pair said they would be eager to return to the live site, and were on their way to see the Olympic flame. The flame is housed near the Candelaria church, at one end of the boulevard. Organizers constructed a small hill in front of the cauldron, perfect for tourists to take selfies with the flame.

So why are gringos not gathering en masse at the boulevard? Nicola Pamplona, 41, a Brazilian journalist for Folha who was enjoying the setup, has one theory: the site wasn’t that well advertised for foreigners.

"I think they know Copacabana, Ipanema, and the neighborhoods by the beaches better," Pamplona told ATR. "I think there was not much advertising about this area for the gringos. You’re right; there are only a few here."

Pamplona said this visit was his third time coming down to the Boulevard, and he expected to be here "almost every night," during the Games. Like Nowicki, he still cannot believe the regeneration the city achieved here.

"Man, you should have seen this area before," Pamplona said. "There was a highway crossing over here and, now, it is just beautiful."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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