A judge in Rio de Janeiro ruled that he would not annul contracts and block construction on disputed land for the golf course at Reserva de Marapendi in Barra da Tijuca.

Elmway Participacoes asked the judge to block the deal after the city of Rio de Janeiro said it did not have any contracts signed over the area even though it announced earlier this year that it reached an agreement with the developer claiming ownership.

The city was served a search warrant for the contracts last month but said they do not exist because the golf course will be a private undertaking.

The judge denied the request made by Elmway Participacoes, saying that the current owner can use the area while a higher court decides on the ownership.

Judge Joao Felipe Nunes Ferreira Mourao said in his ruling that since there was no legal decision yet on Elmway's attempt to claim ownership of the property, developer Pasquale Mauro was allowed to make deals involving the land, including the one to build the golf course.

The city announced in March the agreement it made with Mauro and a local construction company to have the course built on the land.

The city said it would alter some of the building requirements in the area and, in exchange, Mauro and the construction company would pay for the $30 million (£19.5 million/€24 million) course.

Sergio Antunes Lima Jr, the lawyer for Elmway Participacoes claimed he would appeal.

"It's a completely incoherent decision," he said.

"This is the same judge who a few days ago said we had the right to see the contracts over the land because there is still a legal dispute on who owns it.

"It doesn't make sense."

The judge's decision does not directly affect the legal dispute over the land, which is in the hands of Brazil's Higher Court of Justice and could take months or years to be decided.

But Rio 2016 officials claim they expect the contracts for the course to be finalised by the end of this month, and the city would not be directly involved even though it was responsible for choosing the land and facilitating the agreement.

Construction on the course, which will be designed by American Gil Hanse, was initially scheduled to begin in October and finish in time for test events early in 2015.

The city has admitted that it has no Plan B if the dispute drags on.

The IOC Coordination Commission, led by Morocco's Nawal El Moutawakel and including IOC executive director Gilbert Felli, started their third full inspection visit to Rio since the city was awarded the Games in October 2009. 

The IOC will make two more annual visits, beginning next year following the conclusion of London 2012. 

IOC officials were in Rio for a project review in March, saying they were satisfied with the city's preparations but warning organizers not to waste time. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2012: American company chosen ahead of legends to design golf course for Rio 2016
March 2012: Rio 2016 to unveil golf course designer during IOC review
February 2012: Rio 2016 delays picking golf course designer until March
January 2012: Golf greats pitch designs for Rio 2016
October 2011: Rio 2016 launch international contest to design Olympic Games golf course