The 5th Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro ended with great numbers, both in the events and in their organization. According to organizers, 4174 military athletes from 110 countries competed in the event, which also featured 281 referees from around the world. All who competed hoped to win at least one of the disputed 1421 medals: 459 gold, 459 silver, and 503 bronze (the combat sports award two bronze medals per category).
The 5th Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro ended with great numbers, both in the events and in their organization. According to organizers, 4174 military athletes from 110 countries competed in the event, which also featured 281 referees from around the world. All who competed hoped to win at least one of the disputed 1421 medals: 459 gold, 459 silver, and 503 bronze (the combat sports award two bronze medals per category).
To receive and house all these athletes, organizers of the Military World Games also had to prepare on a grand scale. Three villages were built with a total of 1,036 rooms. The cafeterias served 257,832 meals. Additionally, the buses that were used to transport the delegations and members of the organization, made 400 trips a day to Rio de Janeiro, the second most populated city in Brazil.
Numbers aside, the athletes were very appreciative with the effort that the hosts put forth. “I felt very good and capable of competing in the best conditions. I liked the way we were treated, both in the training venues and the food,” said Cesar Reyes of Peru, who competed in judo.
“Our country is very large and, with these Military World Games, demonstrated that we can receive any grand event type of competition. We showed a sense organization that must be repeated for all the events that are to follow,” said Sergeant Anderson Rodrigues, of the Brazilian Army, who competed in volleyball. From now until 2016, when the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be held, Brazil will host the FIFA Confederations Cup (2013), the FIFA World Cup (2014), and the Copa America (2015).
Hosts dominate the medal count
Brazil topped the medal count with a total of 114 Brazilian athletes grabbing medals (45 gold, 33 silver and 36 bronze). The hosts outscored China, which came in second with 37 gold medals, 28 silver and 34 bronze.
Another South American country that stood out was Chile, which won two gold medals, all on horseback. On Sunday, July 24, the last day of competition, the Chileans were crowned champions in Eventing category of Equestrian. Suriname, the smallest country in South America, managed to returned home with one medal – a bronze – won by Corporal Ronnie Jackson in taekwondo.
“It was a historic moment for taekwondo in Suriname and also for our sport,” said Kenneth Slijngard Surinamese.
1. Brazil: 45 gold, 33 silver and 36 bronze
14. Chile: 2 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze
22. Venezuela: 1 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze
30. United States: 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze
37. Ecuador: 1 gold
42. Dominican Republic: 1 silver and 2 bronze
47. Uruguay: 2 bronze
51. Argentina: 1 bronze
51. Suriname: 1 bronze