Whisper it softly, but our sporting scandalometer was slightly steadier last week.

We had the odd moment here and there: a Russian European Games boost and more FIFA Presidential manifestos, and tennis stepped up to the breach, of course, with a new spin placed on old allegations about match fixing.

But the lack of major developments in the ever-escalating athletics and football dramas gave us more time to focus on other issues, including the still uncertain preparations for Rio 2016 after another chaotic week, which began with celebrations marking 200 days until the Opening Ceremony.

Rio 2016 have scrapped plans for a 4,000-seater floating grandstand at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas rowing and canoe sprint venue ahead of this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games, organisers have confirmed.

José  Perurena, President of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), has revealed the sport will be seeking gender equality by the time of the Tokyo 2020 Games - and that it will deploy, literally, cutting edge technology to overcome some of the potential pollution problems encountered at the Rio 2016 Canoe Sprint venue on the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.

The World Rowing Federation (FISA) has said it is "pleased" with the results of a health survey from August’s Junior World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, which is said to show that incidences of illness were much lower than previous years.

There will be no viral testing of the waters of Rio de Janeiro ahead of next summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games, organisers have announced following consultation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), but bacterial studies will be increased.

Brazil's preparations for the canoeing competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games have been clouded by four of their leading paddlers, including two world champions, boycotting the ongoing test event at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas due to a dispute with the national governing body.

A Paralympic festival will be held alongside the iconic Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on September 7 to mark One Year To Go until the start of Rio 2016, it was announced today.  

Germany dominated a packed day of finals here at the World Junior Rowing Championships, winning five of the 13 titles in a regatta doubling as a test event for next summer's Olympics and Paralympics. 

Challenges still need to be overcome ahead of the Olympic regatta here next year, International Rowing Federation (FISA) President Jean-Christophe Rolland has admitted, although he claims water quality is sufficient for competition to take place.

Concerns over the safety of those attending next year's Olympic and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro have been revived after a series of attacks in the city over recent days, several of which took place within sight of venues to be used during the Games.