By David Owen
June 1 – Chile is better known for its copper than its football. So it is fitting that the industry should be providing a rich seam of support for Alexis Sánchez and the rest of the country’s World Cup squad as they make final preparations for Brazil.
The most widely-publicised manifestation of this support is an inspirational advertisement featuring the 33 miners famously trapped underground in the Atacama desert in 2010, which has been picked up by international media.
The ad, discreetly promoting Banco de Chile, features the catchline, “for a Chilean, nothing is impossible” and seeks to make the point that a group of death bracketing the team with Spain and Holland need hold no fear for men whose compatriots have already beaten death.
The team, seen by some as a potential dark horse in the competition, is quoted by bookmakers at around 40-1 to win the World Cup. The apparent generosity of these odds perhaps reflects the strong possibility that the team might have to play hosts Brazil in the second round, even if it succeeds in eliminating one or other of the 2010 finalists.
On a more practical level, the country’s flagship industry is also trying to help the players to stay healthy at this critical time.
According to information circulated by the Copper Development Association, the home of the Chilean national team – the Juan Pinto Durán complex – has become the first major sports facility in the world to install copper touch surfaces, “to help provide a healthier training environment”.
According to the release, copper is “inherently antimicrobial, meaning it will rapidly kill bacteria and viruses on contact…
“Antimicrobial copper is used to make frequently-touched surfaces such as taps, light switches, door furniture and work-tops that actively kill germs in between regular cleaning, helping reduce the risk of infections such as influenza A and norovirus (the so-called vomiting bug) spreading via contact with these surfaces.”
The Durán complex has accordingly been fitted out with antimicrobial copper surfaces in dressing-, kinesiology-, meeting- and hotel-rooms under what is described as a “mutually-beneficial alliance” between Codelco, the mining company, and the National Professional Football Association (ANFP).
Opening the complex, Sergio Jadue, ANFP President, said the association’s main concern was that the team’s players and coaching staff deliver the best possible performance – “and so we’re providing them with the best conditions to do that”.
Will the copper-surfaced Complex of Health help Chile to survive the Group of Death? Watch this space.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734873474labto1734873474ofdlr1734873474owedi1734873474sni@n1734873474ewo.d1734873474ivad1734873474