Given the scale of the defeat and the great passion for football in Brazil, as well as the popular protests over the high levels of spending at a time when many social and economic concerns have gone unaddressed, many believe the semi-final exit will lead to an escalation of public opposition as there is no longer anything to mask these concerns.

It is possible this could also lead to apathy and decreased support for the Olympic and Paralympics in little more than two years time - a major blow as support for the Games are now at an all-time high, claimed Bach. 

But speaking this afternoon following the conclusion of the IOC Executive Board Meeting here, Bach insisted the disappointment will not ultimately detract from the success of the tournament and the popular demand for sporting events.

To make this point he drew a comparison with the 2006 FIFA World Cup in his native Germany, where the host nation lost in extra time at the same semi-final stage to Italy but, after a brief letdown, people still took to the streets to celebrate its success.

"There, it was even more dramatic, it was in the very last minute of extra time, so the disappointment was very sudden and very big," said Bach, a member of the Organising Committee at Germany 2006 under Franz Beckenbauer.

Then you have a day of mourning.

"With Brazil, I can fully understand that today in Brazil there will be a day of mourning. 

"But the Brazilians are very optimistic people and they know that after each defeat there is a new victory waiting for you, and I am sure they will grasp this opportunity."

IOC President Thomas Bach is confident frustration currently being felt by Brazilian fans will not turn to anger after their humiliating World Cup semi-final defeat against Germany is digested
©AFP/Getty Images





Bach continued to paint a much more optimistic picture of progress regarding the Olympics than conveyed at the last Board Meeting during the SportAccord International Convention in Belek three months ago, when he IOC announced various special measure to combat multiple concerns over preparations. 

Today, he cited progress in the construction of the anti-doping Laboratory, a key challenge for Rio 2016 considering the failing to have such a laboratory at the World Cup, as well as the action taken by the various political authorities involved to demonstrate their commitment. 

Bach also claimed positive progress had been made at the second main Games site at Deodoro following the long awaited announcement last week that construction there has begun.

But he admitted that the most pressing challenge ahead remains making sure that the venues are ready ahead of the beginning of the test events this August.

"This is the major condition to address now with our Coordination Commission and with the International Federations", he said.

Ensuring the pollution levels are low enough for the sailing test event to take place on Guanabara Bay will be the next challenge ©Getty Images



A sailing event due to be begin on August 2 next month will offer the first challenge, particularly as it will take place amid continued worries over the high levels of water pollution on the venue in Guanabara Bay.

Bach will also have an opportunity to oversee these preparations when he travels to Rio de Janeiro this evening for a full update with local organisers. 

As well as attending the World Cup Final on Sunday (July 13), Bach will meet with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to discuss the progress being made. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2014: Brazil humiliated in FIFA World Cup semi-final as Germany thump them 7-1
July 2014: Construction work begins at Deodoro Olympic Park ahead of Rio 2016 - at last
June 2014: Nick Butler: Could Rio 2016 be slowly beginning to turn a corner?
June 2014: Rio 2016 make long-awaited announcement on first tender to develop Deodoro cluster
May 2014: Rio 2016 claim "progress being made" but admit less than 40 per cent of work completed with two years to go