Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium, which will host track and field event for the 2016 Rio Games, was forced closed back in March, and will now stay closed for another 18 months while workers fix dangerous structural issues with the venue’s roof.
The stadium, nicknamed the Engenhao, has been shuttered since March 26, when Mayor Eduardo Paes deemed it a “threat to fans” after a study showing that wind velocity and temperature change could cause the the roof to collapse.
The city then presented its own study Friday, which offered the same conclusion, and set a timeline for when the stadium might open for test events.
“There is a need to reinforce the roof’s structure so the stadium can be used, taking into consideration the proper requirements of safety,” contributing engineer Sebastiao Andrade told the Associated Press.
The stadium, built in 2007 for the Pan American Games, was hosting the Rio state football championship and the Copa Libertadores when it was closed, but thankfully wasn’t scheduled to host any of next summer’s World Cup matches. The construction also isn’t likely to affect the lead up to the 2016 Games, which are still more than three years away. But still…
“To close a stadium so soon after it was opened is a tragedy, is a shame,” Alexandre Pinto, the city’s official in charge of public constructions, said. “There were several mistakes in this project.”
