This proposition, which is yet to be approved by either Games organisers or the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was confirmed by Paes during the first day of the IOC Coordination Commission visit here. 

"We're trying to reduce costs and will present the proposal and hear what everyone has to say - but there is nothing confirmed yet," he said.

"Curicica is a place that has no real estate speculation and the savings could be huge."

This comes after the successful redevelopment of the Porto region into privately owned apartments makes it financially inadvisable to use them instead during the Games.

Paes argued the proposed location would mark a different kind of legacy catered more around bringing community benefits to a poorer neighbourhood, although, following the criticism of below-par media hotels ahead the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi last month, there is also a slight concern that the standard of the facilities will be of a lower quality.

Under proposed plans the media village would be closer to the Main Olympic Park at Barra ©AFP/Getty Images


Paes, though, refused to be downheartened and claimed they are "doubling the number of hotels in the city and also have several hotels in the centre, and in the Porto region, which are reserved for the IOC."
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Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrada confirmed to insidethegames the proposition has been put forward but has yet to be decided upon. 

It can be presumed that the planned move will form a key part of the remainder of the Coordination Commission visit.  

Following the plenary session of the Coordination Comission today, groups split off into individual groups to address a wide variety of different areas this afternoon.

The Commission members will then reunite for a tour of the Rio venues tomorrow before the
three day event concludes on Friday (March 21).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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