Rio
2016 Games progress being made despite delays
Send a link to a friend
[December 06, 2014]
By Karolos Grohmann
MONACO (Reuters) - Preparations for the
Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics are progressing well, the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday, with organizers
making up for lost time 20 months ahead of the Games.
|
The city has been running behind schedule since being awarded the
event in 2009 as the first-ever South American hosts.
Earlier this year the IOC urged Rio to speed up, vice-president John
Coates calling preparations the worst he had experienced.
"The general feeling is progress is continuing to be made," said IOC
spokesman Mark Adams after organizers made a presentation to his
Executive Board on Friday.
"We are in that same phase as we were in London (2012), as we are in
all Games. With less than two years to go it's all about delivery
now."
Construction delays have plagued the build-up with the IOC
repeatedly calling for improved collaboration between the various
levels of government and organizers.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/06/images/ads/current/pest_control_bch_092414.png) Work on the Deodoro Olympic Park started late and there have also
been problems with the golf course due to its environmental impact,
although the issue was settled last month with a court judge giving
the green light for work to continue, according to Games chief
Carlos Nuzman.
"This issue is now finished and grass planting will be completed by
the end of the year," Nuzman told reporters.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/06/images/ads/current/ed_jones_athlete_lda_112414.png)
"We are on track now. We still have some issues but we are within
the time frame," added Nuzman who is also an IOC member.
There have been delays in completing the International Broadcast
Center (IBC) and organizers are also struggling with water pollution
at the sailing venue but it will not affect test events, said Adams.
"As for the sporting venues all the test events will happen on
schedule," he added. "For the IBC there is a project review next
week where that will be discussed."
Nuzman played down the IBC delays, saying the building was almost
complete.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |