The initial estimate from Brazil's Public Olympic Authority (APO) includes spending by Federal, State and Municipal Governments for 24 approved projects carried out through both public-private partnerships and by the Government alone.

The number does not include spending on 28 planned projects for the Olympics and Paralympics that still require approval.

The total estimate, which is due to be revised in March, also excludes projects such as airports and pollution control, which are not dedicated strictly to holding the Olympics.

Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, seen here at today's press conference of the APO, claimed Brazil is "committed to being on schedule" for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

"We are committed to being on schedule," Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro to announce the spending plans.

"It is the first time we have a consortium of three levels of Government.

"It is in an effort to ensure the success and execution of all the commitments to deliver the Olympics in Rio in 2016."

Last week, officials said the operating budget for the Games had risen to 7 billion Brazilian real (£1.8 billion/$2.9 billion/€2.1 billion), claiming factors such as inflation and costs for new technology.

The operating budget was originally set to include up to 1.4 billion (£348 million/$577 million/€423 million) reals in public funds, but officials later reduced that figure to zero in response to public outcry over the high cost of stadiums and other projects required by the Olympics and 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is due start in June.

Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes claimed that by combining the World Cup costs together into one budget it had confused the Brazilian public, so Olympic officials had decided to make theirs clearer by separating legacy projects from those associated with the Games.

Partnerships with the private sector account for more than 70 per cent of the budget released today.

"We understand we have to communicate in a clearer fashion, that's what we're trying to do here now," Fernandes said at the event in Rio.

"That's part of what we learned.

"People were confusing basic investments in infrastructure, which serve the country as a whole, as part of the costs of the Games.

"They're not part of the Games."

Work at Deodoro, which is due to host seven Olympic sports, was not included in the budget released today for Rio 2016 ©Rio 2016

Government and APO officials both refused to try to speculate by how much costs will raise but significantly the budget plans released today do not include work needed to be carried out on Deodoro, the sports complex which is scheduled to host seven Olympic sports, including equestrian, mountain biking and BMX, modern pentathlon, shooting, slalom canoeing, hockey and fencing.

Plans for the complex are running a long way behind schedule and a public tender for the work still has to be launched.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2014: Rio 2016 chief executive insists Brazil can run a scandal-free Games
January 2014: Rio 2016 budget grows by 27 per cent to 7 billion Brazilian real for Olympics and Paralympics
January 2014: IOC President Bach impressed after first visit to Rio ahead of 2016 Games
January 2014: IOC President Bach to visit Brazil to check progress ahead of Rio 2016
November 2013: Olympic Park observation tower unveiled to lead celebration marking 1,000 days to go until Rio 2016