Portuguese Olympic officials expressed understanding of national financial constraints this week, even as they finalized a $10.7 million commitment to upgrade the country’s high-performance sports centers.
This investment for the High Performance Centers (CARs) is part of a larger $69.7 million package. The funding agreement spans 2024-2028 and is a joint effort between the Portuguese Government, the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP), and the Portuguese Paralympic Committee (CPP).
Fernando Gomes, President of the COP, hosted a ceremony in Lisbon where several CAR contracts were signed. He acknowledged the government’s “significant investment” in sports infrastructure.
Gomes stated that while he would prefer “superior investment” to achieve “exceptional excellence” in these centers, he recognized “the limitations that the country itself has in terms of its investment capacities.” He added that the goal is to make the investment as profitable as possible for athletes.
The upgrades are intended to improve conditions for athlete preparation across Portugal.
Contracts were signed on Thursday for centers located in Maia, Viana do Castelo, and Vila Real de Santo António. A contract for the Pocinho CAR was postponed to a later date.
Domingos Castro, President of the Portuguese Athletics Federation, signed the contract for the Maia CAR. Local mayors Luís Nobre and Álvaro Palma de Araújo signed for Viana do Castelo and Vila Real de Santo António, respectively.
Earlier, in September, five other CAR contracts were signed for centers in Anadia, Caldas da Rainha, Golegã, Montemor-o-Velho, and Rio Maior. Additional centers in Nazaré, Peniche, São Jacinto, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Vila Nova de Foz Coa are also slated for future upgrades.
The Jamor CAR is excluded from this program as it is managed directly by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ).