We take a look at Argentina’s runners and riders (and fencers and hockey players and judoists…) for the London 2012 Olympic Games. In a measure of just how low-key Argentina’s Olympics build-up has been, it took a slick piece of political agitprop to get locals talking about the Games, due to start in London on July 27…
Tag: Sport
Climbing Aconcagua, South America’s Highest Mountain
Aconcagua is one of the world’s great mountains. It rises 6,959 metres (22,841ft) up into Argentina’s sky in the Andes. Despite being the highest mountain in the Americas, in fact the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, it is also relatively straightforward to climb with almost no technical sections. Beware, straightforward does not mean easy – it’s one of the deadliest mountains and an extremely challenging undertaking…
Polo in Argentina: You Don’t Have to be a Pro to Have a Go
It’s the sport of kings, a playing field for the super rich, a game where the world’s most proficient horse riders get to show off their skills. Polo is surely not for any old day-tripping horse botherer. Or is it? Around Buenos Aires, an increasing number of estancias are offering “polo days”, where even novices can get in the saddle and start swinging a mallet. One such place is…
Boca Juniors Once Again the Kings of Argentinian Football
As their arch rivals River Plate continue to suffer through their darkest hour, Boca Juniors emerged from a gloomy chapter of their own to once again rule over Argentinian football.
Weekend Breaks to Escape the Sweaty Buenos Aires Summer
If you’re suffering from Bacon Syndrome – hot, crispy and well sizzled – then it’s time to take a break from the steamy summer in Buenos Aires, at least for a weekend trip. The Real Argentina offers up some cooling ideas such as kayaking activities, a working farm holiday, and where to find Argentina’s best surf – all to give you some respite from the sweaty city.
Argentina and The Great Messi Debate
Lionel Messi is universally admired wherever in the world football is watched – except in his native Argentina. It would be a gross oversimplification to say that Messi is unloved in Argentina. But he is certainly subject to more denigration and skepticism in his homeland than anywhere else in the world. Read on to find out about the main criticisms leveled against him and how much truths lies behind them.
El Rugby: Argentina, Rugby Union & The Rugby World Cup
Don’t worry if you didn’t catch Argentina’s opening match against England in the Rugby World Cup on 10 September. It was as poor a game as you could ever hope to miss. England scraped through 13–9 in the end, but looked less like the world-class side they are and more like 15 blokes who had…
The Pine Forest Beach of Carilo
When porteños need to escape the city smog, they head to Cariló, Argentina’s ‘green sand dune’ (its meaning in the Mapuche language). Breezy and easy to get to, Cariló is a top Argentina travel destination and the country’s most exclusive summer resort, a green lung which is a small slice of paradise: a pine forest next to the beach.
The State of Football in Argentina: 2011 Copa America and More…
Considering that barely a ball has been kicked in Argentina in the last couple of weeks, it’s been a tumultuous time for the Argentinian football. Firstly the sacking of the manager of the national team after the lackluster showing at the Copa America in the homeland, the Tevez and Aguero saga at Manchester City and – oh yes – the biggest shake up of the Argentinian league game for, well, ever, to a system so revolutionary that no team will ever have to be relegated again.
No More Superclasico (For Now): River Plate Relegated
Argentinian primera división (top division) football is full of historical rivalries that are both notorious and colourful. This footballing folklore more often than not manifests itself in cheeky banter between opposing sets of fans. At times it famously descends into wanton violence. Teams define themselves by who they despise. Chants that can be heard in stadia every weekend are full of such insulting language about opponents that uttering such things publicly in most countries would get you arrested.