Brazil will spend £175m renovating Rio de
Janeiro's iconic Maracana Stadium in preparation for the 2014 World
Cup.
The stadium, which was opened for the 1950 World Cup and staged
the final, will be closed while the majority of the work is carried
out.
Originally built to hold 200,000 fans, the capacity will be
reduced from its present 87,000 to 82,000 at world governing body
Fifa's recommendation.
The facade will remain and a roof will be added to the
five-storey structure.
<!-- E SF -->
Work on the stadium will begin in March and it will be closed
altogether in August and is expected to be reopened in December
2012.
Rio de Janeiro tourism secretary Marcia Lins said: "It will hold
fewer people, but with better quality."
The renovation includes upgraded changing rooms, a new area for
the media, new seats, toilets and restaurants while the northern
area of the city has also been earmarked for regeneration.
bbc