Criticism has been particularly strong from some quarters in swimming, where finals are reportedly set to be held between 10pm and midnight, with Australia's four-time Olympic champion Libby Trickett calling the plans "ridiculous".

A "2am lights out and a 7am start [to prepare for morning heats] would be a killer for many athletes engaged in action on multiple days", she said.

Late finals are also a likelihood in other sports, including beach volleyball,with some matches starting after midnight.

But it has also been confirmed that morning finals will take place in athletics for the first time since Seoul 1988.

IOC Communications Director Mark Adams predicted there will be no changes to the planned schedule of events, in swimming and other sports ©ITG



Speaking here, following the opening day of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting, where a presentation from Rio 2016 was a key item on the agenda, - IOC communications director Mark Adams claimed concerns over the competition programme had not been raised and that there was satisfaction with the plans.

"There was no formal decision on the schedule today, but the schedule is one that has broad acceptance," he said, adding specific grievances in swimming had not been raised.

"It won't be the first time at a Games where there will be sport [taking place] late into the evening.

"I don't think it's unusual and the athletes themselves want to be showcased the best way they can.

"Obviously it's a real balance between a whole level of different peoples, sports, logistics and so on, but they seemed to have reached a conclusion that has pleased everyone."

Although no exact timetable is known, it is believed formal acceptance of the proposed schedule will be given soon, Adams added.

Elsewhere, cautious optimism was the reported theme of the Executive Board reaction to the Rio 2016 update, as the progress made since the strong criticism of preparations earlier this year was emphasised.

Significantly, IOC vice-president John Coates, who in April said preparations were the "worst he had experienced" in his long association with the Games, admitted much improvement had occurred.

John Coates, pictured with Rio 2016 Coordination Commission head, and IOC Executive Board colleague, Nawal El Moutawakel, has admitted much progress has been made since he fiercely criticised preparations ©Getty Images



Updates were given on the construction of venues, the building of the Athletes' Village and the International Broadcasting Centre, as well as the volunteering programme, where 200,000 applications have now been received.

"There is a general feeling that progress has been made and is continuing to being made since the [FIFA] World Cup," Adams said.

But ,it was also made clear by Nawal El Moutawakel, chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, that, with just 20 months until the Games begin, there is no time to lose and that organisers have now entered a "key delivery phase" in which no mistakes can be permitted. 

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