Sebastian Coe gets to the Engenhão by train and is optimistic about Rio 2016

The president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Sebastian Coe, visited the Olympic Stadium (Engenhão) in Rio de Janeiro last Sunday (15 May) afternoon, and expressed optimism about the Games. Coe left claiming he had a good impression of the Engenhão, and called upon Brazilians to attend the competitions of the noblest of Olympic sports.

"The sight lines are good. I can imagine the stadium full of fans. People have to buy tickets. These are the Olympic Games, and they will have the opportunity to see in the city not only the best athletes of this generation, but some of the best athletes in sports history. Usain Bolt will be competing on several occasions and some of them will be in the morning, so don't miss the opportunity to tell your children and grandchildren that you were there in the stadium when Usain Bolt competed in his last Olympics," said Coe, referring to the Jamaican Olympic champion and world record holder in the 100m and 200m sprint.

The stadium's blue track, a departure from the brown pavement typical of the sport, was joked about. "We had a blue track in London as well, didn't we? Oh, yeah, I'm colour blind," he said.

"I hope the athletes will get here fully focused. The Games are the peak of their careers. I think they will get here motivated and find a passionate crowd. I think they will enjoy a fantastic welcome from Rio. With all that together, I believe they will compete very well," he predicted.

Pictures: Carol Delmazo/brasil2016.gov.br

By public transport

Sebastian Coe chose to use public transport to get to the Engenhão on Sunday. He travelled 23 minutes by train between the Central do Brasil and Engenho de Dentro stations, the latter located right in front of the Olympic Stadium. It was around 3 p.m. Coe walked from the station to the Engenhão, strolling through the recently-renovated Train Square. Surrounded by aides and members of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, Coe asked about the legacy that will be left to the region and was informed of the interventions in the Engenho de Dentro neighbourhood. He entered the Olympic Stadium via the West Gate, right at the beginning of the afternoon test session in the second day of the Iberian-American Athletics Championship.

Carol Delmazo - brasil2016.gov.br