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Gamboa Olympic village is renamed Radio host “Apolinho” Washington Rodrigues
Published on 17/05/2024 - 11:53 | Updated on 17/05/2024 - 11:53
The Olympic Village has two 25-meter swimming pools - Rio City Hall The Rio de Janeiro city government paid tribute to Washington Rodrigues by naming the Gamboa Olympic Village after the journalist and communicator, who passed away last Wednesday (15/5) at the age of 87. The decree, published this Friday (17/5) in the Official Gazette, determines that the sports facility will be called Vila Olímpica Radialista “Apolinho” Washington Rodrigues.
“Washington Carlos Nunes Rodrigues, known as “Apolinho” or “Velho Apolo”, had a remarkable career on Brazilian radio, being one of the most well-known and charismatic sports journalists in Brazil”, says an excerpt from the decree signed by Mayor Eduardo Paes to justify the tribute.
Born in Engenho Novo, Rio de Janeiro, Washington Rodrigues was a respected and beloved professional among the four major Rio de Janeiro fan clubs, despite being a declared Flamengo fan.
The mayor also highlighted Apolinho's importance in the history of journalism and football in Rio. Apolinho worked as a radio broadcaster, reporter, sports journalist and coach.
– It is a fair and deserved tribute. Washington Rodrigues was an icon of Brazilian sports communication, admired by everyone, even though he was a passionate Flamengo fan. Apolinho’s legacy is eternal, now with his name engraved on a sports facility in our city – says the municipal secretary of Sports, Guilherme Schleder.
Located on Rua da União, with no number, the Vila Olímpica da Gamboa is one of the 27 sports facilities in the city of Rio de Janeiro that serve around 60 thousand people. It has two 25-meter swimming pools; a skate park; a grass court; men's and women's changing rooms; a guardhouse and a parking lot. It also has an administrative headquarters with multipurpose rooms; a secretary's office; a covered multipurpose court; a soccer field; a walking track; two multipurpose courts and an access staircase. In total, there are around 20 sports activities offered free of charge to the public, with almost 3 thousand students enrolled.
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