Tag: Sport

Argentina at the London 2012 Olympics

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…

June 12th, 2012

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…

May 29th, 2012

Polo in Argentina: You Don’t Have to be a Pro to Have a Go

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…

March 28th, 2012

Weekend Breaks to Escape the Sweaty Buenos Aires Summer

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.

January 5th, 2012

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.

November 18th, 2011

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…

September 23rd, 2011

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.

September 19th, 2011

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.

August 9th, 2011

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.

July 12th, 2011