Strong winds in Rio de Janeiro have damaged part of the structure covering the auditorium staging the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw, according to AP. About an hour before the draw was scheduled to start on Saturday, a large canvas panel on the side of the stage was partially ripped off. Portions of the fabric panels used as a form of ceiling also were torn. Workers were trying to put the canvas back in place, but it appears the incident will not disrupt the draw. The qualifying draw will determine each nation's path to try to reach the tournament in three years' time. It is the first major World Cup-related event in Brazil since 2007, when the South American nation was awarded the competition for the first time in 64 years.
