More images of the ecstatic Liga Diportiva (Ecuador) after wining the 2008 Copa Libertadores (South American Championship Cup) against the Fluminense (Brazil) in Brazil - July 2, 2008.

Congratulations!

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Ecuador’s Liga de Quito pose with their newly acquired Libertadores Championship Cup after beating Brazil’s Fluminense in the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 2, 2008.

Image courtesy of Newscom.

Mexico City is the place to be right now for football/soccer fans throughout South America. The Copa Libertadores 2008 has narrowed it down to just two teams - America of Mexico & Liga Deportiva of Ecuador. Amidst all of the excitement a Corona Girl shades herself and poses for the crowd. Why do I all of a sudden crave a beer?

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The FIFA governing body have decided on a solution over the concerns that matches shouldn’t be played at altitudes of over 2,000 metres above sea level.

Playing at high altitudes is a cause of concern for South-American countries like Bolivia whose altitude is 3,600 metres in their capitol city La Paz.

FIFA decided on a compromise that players not native to Bolivia be subject to an adaptation period of three days before matches above 2,500m, one week for 2,750m and two weeks at 3,000m.

Carlos Chavez president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) isn’t pleased with the results, claiming that fewer games will take place in La Paz.

Playing at higher altitudes can lead to altitude sickness symptoms of which are causing cold and dehydration, breathlessness, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. The only remedy for this is to allow a period of climatization for athletes.

I don’t think that it is fair to ask the league to play in such hazardous climates. I have felt the effects of altitude sickness and can’t imagine what I would do if I had to run around for hours. Though unfair to Bolivia, the situation is unfair for the rest of the league because when players are adapted to higher climates their feel a burst of extra energy at lower altitude places.

Sources: AFP

The international soccer community has banned games to take place in areas that are over 2,750 meters above sea level. The ban came about after teams were complaining that they cannot play as well with the thinner air and frequent altitude sickness.

The ban will exclude Bolivian cities like La Paz, Oruro and Potosi from being allowed to host games in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s top competition for soccer clubs.

Bolivian President Morales is leading a similar petition to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), after they made a similar ban decision.

Source: Xinhuanet