Carioca Arenas: Brazilian Engineering That Inspired the Olympic Legacy and Echoes the Challenges of Los Angeles 2028

As the United States prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, organizers are facing major infrastructure, sustainability, and climate challenges. Known for its intensely dry summers and temperatures frequently exceeding 95°F (35°C) in July—mid-summer in the Northern Hemisphere—the California city will require robust thermal engineering solutions to ensure the comfort of athletes and spectators in indoor venues. Concerns about overheating of electronic equipment, the demand for high-efficiency air conditioning systems, and the need for controlled energy consumption are at the forefront for event planners.

In light of these obstacles, there’s growing international interest in successful models of sports infrastructure that combine performance, comfort, and energy efficiency. One of the most emblematic examples comes from Brazil: the Carioca Arenas 1, 2, and 3, built in Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park for the 2016 Games. Though located in a humid tropical climate with different environmental variables, the engineering solutions adopted in these arenas offer valuable insights for Los Angeles. A key figure behind the technical success of the venues was mechanical engineer Glauco Túlio Zonato, who oversaw the execution, implementation, commissioning, and optimization of the HVAC system—boasting a total capacity of 3,000 TR. It was a milestone in engineering support for high-demand global events.

The system deployed across the arenas featured indirect expansion technology with air-cooled condensation, advanced automation, and the installation of approximately 260 tons of metal ductwork—critical to maintaining thermal comfort for athletes, spectators, and sensitive equipment alike. Zonato played a vital role in meeting the tight Olympic deadlines, ensuring full operational readiness for a globally televised event. “Projects of this magnitude leave no room for error. Precise coordination between engineers, designers, and installers was essential,” Zonato recalled.

The Carioca Arenas—host to events like basketball, judo, and taekwondo—required engineering solutions capable of handling large crowds and rapid fluctuations in internal temperature. To meet this demand, Zonato led the integration of supply, return, exhaust, outside air, pressurization, and extraction systems, ensuring consistent thermal performance and energy efficiency. The result was a stable, secure operation that met international standards set by the International Olympic Committee.

“The complexity wasn’t just in the physical size of the facilities, but also in the need for automation and operational flexibility. The system had to be dynamic and adjustable in real time,” said Zonato, who was involved from the execution phase through to performance testing. The control center enabled remote monitoring of variables such as temperature, humidity, and airflow, allowing for immediate response to any event-related needs.

From a technical standpoint, the figures are striking: Carioca Arena 1 was equipped with 1,350 TR of installed cooling capacity, while Arenas 2 and 3 each had 825 TR. The combined 3,000 TR makes it one of the largest HVAC capacities ever installed in sports venues across Latin America. “It was an industrial-scale solution tailored to a sporting environment, with absolute focus on reliability and environmental comfort,” Zonato emphasized.

The legacy of the Carioca Arenas remains strong today. Following the Games, the venues were repurposed into high-performance training centers and spaces for cultural and sporting events, with the HVAC systems still fully operational. This underscores the project's durability and sustainability, reinforcing its value as a blueprint for future Olympic complexes—including those planned or renovated in Los Angeles ahead of 2028.

With over 19 years of experience in large-scale public and private projects throughout Brazil, Glauco Zonato has specialized in the climate control of complex environments, including hospitals, airports, factories, and government buildings. His expertise also spans building automation, energy efficiency, and chilled water system retrofits.

The case of the Carioca Arenas highlights the critical role of highly skilled engineers in the logistical and structural success of international events. “Beyond the medals, the Olympics demand precision, safety, and operational efficiency in every aspect. Engineering is a vital part of that machine,” Zonato concluded.

As preparations for Los Angeles 2028 move forward, past experiences like Rio’s serve as invaluable references. They offer practical lessons in how to combine technology, planning, and flawless execution—on tight deadlines and under global scrutiny. For U.S. organizers, Brazil’s legacy could be more than inspiration — it could serve as a technical and strategic roadmap to Olympic success.