AP/Daily Bulletin, 03/22/2012
In this Saturday Jan. 21, 2012 photo, Tcharry, a Guajajara Indian, climbs the stairs of the old Indian Museum located near Maracana soccer stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dozens of indigenous people who have built homes on the site of Rio's old Indian Museum, abandoned since 1977, will have to move as part of the neighborhood's makeover for the 2014 World Cup. Carlos Tukano, the group's leader, says the space provides a place to stay for indigenous people visiting Rio, whether looking for medical care, pursuing their education or hawking crafts to tourists on the beach. ((AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano))
As Rio prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, all eyes are turning to the gray and blue walls of the storied Maracana stadium.
Yet even with all the attention, few people notice about 30 indigenous people who have been squatting in the shadow of the cathedral of Brazilian soccer and will have to move as part of the neighborhood’s $63.2 million makeover.
Maracana, built for the 1950 World Cup, will be the keystone of the city’s upcoming sporting events, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and the final match of World Cup.
