By Tom Degun

Leonardo Gryner in front of Rio 2016 logoMarch 17 - A decision on where to hold the hockey and rugby sevens during Rio 2016 will be officially rubber-stamped by the world governing bodies next month, chief operating officer Leonardo Gryner has claimed.


The International Hockey Federation (FIH) recently met Rio 2016 to discuss their Olympic venue after it was moved from its scheduled home on the Olympic Park to the Deodoro Zone on the outskirts of the city.

The plans were met with disapproval from the FIH, who believed having the venue so far away from where most of the action at the Games will be taking place will have a negative impact on attendances and exposure.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) are also in talks with the Organising Committee after their Olympic venue of the Estádio São Januário, home of football club Vasco da Gama, to the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, only for that plan face difficulties.

But Gryner insists that there should be no concerns for either of the two sports at Rio 2016.

"With hockey, we obviously had difficulties with the plan in our Bid Book where it was on the Olympic Park because we found there was not enough room on the Park," Gryner told insidethegames.

"We therefore decided to move to the Deodoro Zone where a new centre will be built to meet all the requirements of the FIH.

"This will become an Olympic Training Centre for hockey after the Games, which is important for the legacy of hockey and to the FIH.

"We have had positive talks with the FIH about this and that is likely to be approved next month.

João Havelange StadiumThe Rio 2016 rugby sevens tournament is likely to be staged at the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange where the athletics completion will also take place

"With rugby sevens, we original proposal to stage it in the Estádio São Januário but the necessary guarantees were not provided last year.

"We have talked about the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange but we have not confirmed anything yet because we are still talking with the IRB (International Rugby Board) about it.

"But we are confident that we will confirm our plans with the IRB next month too.

"So we are in good shape and there will be no problems with either of these two sports.

"We are in good shape to deliver all the sports on time ahead of the test events in 2015 and we are on track to host a great Games."

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