By Nick Butler
Rio's preparations for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016 has suffered more criticism after International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Director Gilbert Felli admitted construction work at the Deodoro Complex is running two years behind schedule.
Rio's preparations for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016 has suffered more criticism after International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Director Gilbert Felli admitted construction work at the Deodoro Complex is running two years behind schedule.
Felli was appointed by IOC President Thomas Bach last month to closely monitor preparations, and he paid the first of what is expected to be many visits to Brazil last week to report on progress.
Following this, he responded to questions on progress at Deodoro, where seven Olympic and three Paralympic sports will be held during the Games, with the answer: "Of course there are delays, Deodoro is two years late, but we are working together to deliver the Games on time".
He added that work had not even begun at the venue, and that delays in revealing the full budget for the Games, which was completed only on April 16 this year, had also contributed to problems.
He also insisted Games organisers have not created a satisfactory social legacy in the area.
"It was a political will to put stadiums in a poor area of Rio," he said when speaking at a conference on hosting mega-events organised by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) in Lausanne.
"We always said: do not put there just the stadiums without posing a [social] programme.
"However, these programmes do not exist today because the sports federations did not work, they have not taken the social part."
New transport projects linking Deodoro to other parts of Rio was one legacy project muted for the region ©AFP/Getty ImagesFelli also speculated that there will be no chance of significantly improving this legacy because it "cannot be improvised" and needs concerted planning by authorities and organisers, which has not occurred in the case of Rio.
This marks the latest in a wave of criticism over various elements of preparations, especially construction delays, in recent weeks.
Following particular concern being raised at the General Assembly of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) during the SportAccord Convention in Belek, Turkey, the IOC introduced specific task forces as well as more regular visits by Felli, as an attempt to alleviate fears.
But last week IOC vice-president John Coates claimed preparations are "the worst he had experienced" in his long association with the Games.
Felli's words come also come soon after a leading official from one of the sports due to take place at Deodoro, International Rugby Board chief executive Brett Gosper, admitted to feeling nervous over preparations at the venue.
But Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has already hit back at Felli's claims over the Deodoro legacy, citing a range of projects he insists will boost the lives of the local people.
This includes creating an area of high performance sport, in partnership with the Army, as well as improvements in the areas of transport and sanitation.
Speaking this afternoon a Rio 2016 spokesman repeated these views when insisting to insidethegames that "the transformation of Deodoro will be one of the biggest legacies of the Games".
With regard to delays, it was also reiterated that two tender notices were issued on April 17 for the construction and renovation of facilities at Deodoro Sports Complex, and that work is due to begin later this year.
Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]
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May 2014: International Rugby Board chief executive admits they are nervous about Rio 2016
But last week IOC vice-president John Coates claimed preparations are "the worst he had experienced" in his long association with the Games.
Felli's words come also come soon after a leading official from one of the sports due to take place at Deodoro, International Rugby Board chief executive Brett Gosper, admitted to feeling nervous over preparations at the venue.
But Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has already hit back at Felli's claims over the Deodoro legacy, citing a range of projects he insists will boost the lives of the local people.
This includes creating an area of high performance sport, in partnership with the Army, as well as improvements in the areas of transport and sanitation.
Speaking this afternoon a Rio 2016 spokesman repeated these views when insisting to insidethegames that "the transformation of Deodoro will be one of the biggest legacies of the Games".
With regard to delays, it was also reiterated that two tender notices were issued on April 17 for the construction and renovation of facilities at Deodoro Sports Complex, and that work is due to begin later this year.
Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]
Related stories
May 2014: International Rugby Board chief executive admits they are nervous about Rio 2016
April 2014: "Things are moving in the right direction" for Rio 2016 claim IOC despite more criticism
April 2014: Rio 2016 preparations "worst I have experienced" admits IOC vice-president
April 2014: Exclusive -: ITF President upset over "inaccurate and unfair" criticism by Rio Mayor
April 2014: Task forces and project manager introduced by IOC to combat Rio 2016 crisis
April 2014: Rio 2016 preparations "worst I have experienced" admits IOC vice-president
April 2014: Exclusive -: ITF President upset over "inaccurate and unfair" criticism by Rio Mayor
April 2014: Task forces and project manager introduced by IOC to combat Rio 2016 crisis
