adminRIO DE JANEIRO. — Rio’s 2016 Olympic preparations are progressing solidly, but the schedule is tight, the International Olympic Committee’s Co-ordination Commission said on Wednesday.
Concluding its seventh visit to Rio, the first South American city to be awarded the Games, the Commission expressed satisfaction at progress made since its last in March. Over three days the Commission visited the Olympic Golf Course, the Olympic Village, the Deodoro Olympic Park and also the Barra Olympic Park in the company of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
“We leave Rio satisfied with the progress that has been made since our visit last March,” said Commission chair Nawal El Moutawakel.
Six months ago, the Commission had notably expressed concern at the slow pace of construction and polluted water in Guanabara Bay, which will host sailing events.
“The strong commitment of the Brazilian authorities to the success of the Rio 2016 Games has been underlined to us by the presence of President Rousseff during our visit to the Olympic Park yesterday,” the Commission said in a statement.
“We remain confident that, despite a very tight schedule, our Brazilian partners will deliver successful Games. As we enter the final two years of preparations, we are able to see that the core works are progressing at full speed, particularly in venue construction, where we have been receiving solid development reports.
Organisers are overseeing a program of 45 test events — last August saw the opening test for yachting. — AFP.
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