Latin America

The International Archery Federation has approved the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro for the archery competition for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, should the city be selected to host the competition.

Rio de Janeiro’s new Mayor-elect, Eduardo Paes, and State Secretary for Sports and Leisure, Marcia Lins met with Tessa Jowell MP, the UK Minister with responsibility for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The International Evaluation Commission will visit the four Candidate Cities bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games in April and May of 2009.

Terra, the largest internet company in Latin America, has acquired the internet and mobile platform exhibition rights within Latin America (excluding Brazil) for the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Venezuela is to ratify its application for the 2015 Pan American Games, according to Latin American news agency, Prensa Latina.

Sérgio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, today pledged to engage the youth of the world in a celebration and Games of social transformation, should Rio be appointed host city for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) has extended its television rights deal for the IAAF World Athletic Series for three-years from 2010 to 2013 with existing pay-television broadcasters Globosat and Sky Network, which cover Brazil and New Zealand respectively.

Internet company, Terra, acquired the internet and mobile rights in Latin America for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Argentina has held talks with leading southern hemisphere nations over the possibility of expanding rugby union’s Tri-Nation series, according to the BBC.

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has received influential backing of Brazilian President, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, for the series to hold its first race in South America.

The International Olympic Committee selected Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo as candidate cities for the 2016 Olympic Games. Doha missed out on selection, while Madrid and Tokyo appear the cities to beat in the early running.

Rio de Janeiro’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games has received the backing of the 15 National Olympic Committees represented by the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR).

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) has assumed management of a new Rio de Janeiro Aquatic Centre as part of its bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

Havas Sports opened a new office in Buenos Aires Argentina headed by Diego Soraires, former commercial director of ISL Puntogol.

Traffic Sports, holders of the TV rights for the Copa Libertadores outside the Americas, said revenues from the sale of the competition's rights are up 350 per cent in the last four years.

Argentina and Chile will host the 2009 Dakar Rally after agreeing a deal with organisers the Amaury Sport Organisation.