IOC on Rio: ‘Progress,’ but games entering ‘intense’ period

Author: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published:
MGN Online

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The head of the IOC inspection team wrapping up a three-day tour of venues for the Rio Olympics in 2016 said Wednesday her team was “impressed by progress.”

Just under a year ago, an IOC official described Rio’s preparations as the worst in memory.

However, Nawal El Moutawakel cautioned that Rio is entering “the most intense period of preparations” with up to 40 test events planned before the opening ceremony on Aug. 5, 2016.

She singled out the new Olympic golf course, a velodrome and an equestrian site as venues that face “very aggressive timelines to be ready for test events.”

Despite the progress on venues, Rio still faces severe problems with water pollution, a tight deadline for a new subway line and concerns about a recent spike in crime.

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