Press Contact: Bryan Wilkins

The 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were a celebration of western sportsmanship. It also served as a showcase for Rio to prove itself as a modern city that is capable of hosting major international events. Therefore, it was only fitting that they choose the leading intercom brand in western broadcast and sports, RTS.



The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. During the 16 days of the 2007 games, 5,662 athletes from 42 countries in the Americas were after their best results on the courts, tracks, fields and swimming pools of Rio 2007. Those were landmark moments in the history of Brazilian sport, which were registered for posterity.



Naturally, such a grand event requires a sophisticated communications network. RTS provided a state-of-the-art Cronus intercom system that featured 23 Cronus frames, 54 AIO Card Kits, 154 BP-325 beltpacks, over 100 keypanels, and a wealth of components that enabled advanced seamless communication between digital and analog equipment.

RTS Cronus intercom is a modular 32-port digital matrix intercom in 2 RU (rack units) that can hold up to four cards with eight ports each. Based upon an advanced DSP architecture, Cronus intercom has the ability to link up to four units into a single 128-port matrix. Using standard video coaxial cable, the maximum distance between the first and last Cronus intercom system can be 300 feet, and still appear as a single matrix. However, when using the fiber option card, the distance is increased up to 15 kilometers nominally. When connected as a single matrix, the individual Cronus intercom controls remains autonomous and independent at each matrix for the highest reliability. Coax-fitted Cronuses were used in the games and Fiber-fitted Cronuses were used in the opening and closing ceremonies with RTS interfaces to provide seamless communication between digital and analog equipment.



Telex provided wireless communication with 4 BTR-700 base stations and 16 TR-700 beltpacks. The event operators were fitted with Telex HR-1 single-sided intercom headsets with flexible dynamic boom mics, which is always a popular choice for sports and broadcast communications. The Telex BTR-700 UHF-synthesized wireless intercom system offers the ultimate in reliable, high performance, high fidelity full duplex communications. The BTR-700 system includes the BTR-700 frequency-agile base station, working with up to four TR-700 frequency-agile beltpacks. The BTR-700 base station provides full duplex communications with the beltpacks. The BTR-700 system is perfectly suited for stand-alone operation and can interface with Audiocom (Telex), RTS TW, Clear-Com as well as RTS Matrix systems and other four-wire communications systems. In addition to the external intercom systems interfaces listed above, the system provides connections for auxiliary balanced audio input and output. The BTR series has been designed for reliable, efficient operation. Operating in the 518 to 868 MHz range, the units operate reliably at line-of-sight distances of 1,000 feet. With available antenna systems from Telex including the ALP-600 model used in the games, the effective operating range can be extended. The high efficiency beltpacks provide 12-14 hours of uninterrupted operation using standard alkaline batteries.



The idea of holding a Pan American Games grew from the Central American Games first organized in the 1920s. In 1932, a first proposal was made for Pan American Games, and the Pan American Sports Organization was established. The first Games were scheduled to be staged in Buenos Aires in 1943, but World War II caused them to be postponed until 1951. Since then, the Games have been held every four years, with participation at the most recent event at over 5,000 athletes from 42 countries.



The Pan American Games receive plenty of attention in most Latin American countries. To host an edition of the Pan American Games is more than hold a large sports competition. For the city, the state and the country organizing it, and even to the American continent, it means hosting an event that will promote deep, lasting social and economic changes. The 2007 games prompted the Organizing Committee to construct the João Havelange Olympic Stadium, the Deodoro Sports Complex and the City of SportsComplex, in the Speedway, and rennovate the Maracanã Sports Complex and the Lagoa Rowing Stadium.

RTS keypanels and beltpacks were used for 16 sports in 16 separate venues including volleyball, football, aquatics, gymnastics, track, tennis, and many more. In addition, RTS and Telex equipment help orchestrate the dazzling opening and closing ceremonies.



Throughout its planning and staging phases, the Games will tighten the relationship between Rio de Janeiro and Brazil with the countries of the Americas, in addition to providing the city with experience as an organizer of large events. Rio will be showcased worldwide as an organized city that that owns sports, artistic, cultural and natural assets. The games were also a showcase for RTS and Telex as the premier intercom solution for major sporting events.



Finally, the constructions, renovations and development of policies will remain as an important legacy to the city, to the state and to the country, benefiting the development of sports, the discovery of new talents and the formation of a technical body and technical centers of excellence. All this causes a shift in the urban infrastructure, since the surrounding areas of the Games venues have also been enhanced. An important evolution was also felt in areas such as technology and telecommunications, where RTS and Telex played in integral role.