Waldemar Niclevicz, who climbs 8-meter peaks, thinks football at altitude is unfair.

Zé Gonzalez From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in São Paulo

In 1995, Waldemar Niclevicz reached the summit of Everest, at 8.848 meters. Even those accustomed to high-altitude physical activity oppose holding soccer matches in high-altitude cities. Mountaineer Waldemar Niclevicz, who has climbed icy mountains over 8 meters six times, finds it unfair that matches are scheduled for high altitudes.

Recently, FIFA determined that matches at altitudes above 2.500 meters are not permitted without a prior acclimatization period. For matches at 2.500 meters, FIFA requires three days of acclimatization; if the venue is 2.750 meters, at least a week; for venues above 3.000 meters, the organization states that "as a general rule, matches are not played at these venues, unless there is a 15-day acclimatization period."

"FIFA is absolutely right. It's unfair for those who have to climb so high to play without making this adjustment. But football clubs, with games from Wednesday to Sunday, don't have time for this. It practically becomes a natural doping for those who play at home up there," says Niclevicz.

FIFA is more than right! It's unfair for those who have to climb so high and play without adapting. Waldemar Niclevicz, mountain climber, on football at altitude.

However, for now, the rules only apply to international matches. Clubs, on the other hand, continue to play at higher altitudes in the Copa Libertadores. This year, Santos lost to San José (BOL) in Oruro, 3.700 meters above sea level, and Fluminense drew with LDU (EQU) in Quito, at 2.850 meters. Before the end of the qualifying phase, Flamengo will face Cienciano (PER) at 3.360 meters in Cuzco, and Cruzeiro will visit Real Potosí (BOL) at 4.090 meters in Potosí.

Waldemar at the base of Makalu, Nepal

For his next mission, climbing Makalu—the fifth-highest mountain in the world, in Nepal, at 8.463 meters—Waldemar Niclevicz chose the city of Potosí, Bolivia, as the location for a ten-day acclimatization period. People living at sea level have fewer red blood cells, which are responsible for absorbing oxygen. People living at altitude have more red blood cells because the air is thinner. When a person ascends to very high altitudes, the few red blood cells have difficulty absorbing oxygen, which is in lower concentrations.

"The adaptation is to increase the number of these red blood cells. Regardless of physical fitness, each body has a different oxygen absorption rate depending on where it lives," says the climber.

On one of his adventures – he has already climbed Everest and K2, two of the most dangerous peaks in the world – Niclevicz reports that he saw residents of very high places – over 5 meters – playing soccer.

- I just watched. I wasn't crazy enough to take the risk... - he jokes.

Tips: B complex, vitamin E and lots of water\ Since clubs don't have time to acclimatize to the altitude, he gives some tips to try to avoid problems.\

- It is advisable to take a B complex to increase the number of red blood cells, stay well hydrated, as the blood becomes thicker, and also take vitamin E to thin the blood and not compromise circulation in the extremities of the body - he adds.