Rio 2016 is expected to come under close scrutiny as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Games makes its seventh visit to the Brazilian city this week.
The IOC team, led by Moroccan Los Angeles 1984 400-metre hurdles gold medallist Nawal El Moutawakel, will “gauge the progress of the Brazilian organisers with less than two years to go to the Games” during their stay in Rio de Janeiro, which got underway today and continues until Wednesday (October 1).
Particular focus is expected to be placed on the development at the second major Games hub at Deodoro – where eight Olympic and four Paralympic sports are due to be held, which has attracted much criticism over lack of progress.
Other matters that are likely to be discussed by the Coordination Commission, which also features Association of Summer Olympic International Federations President Francesco Ricci Bitti and European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey, include the pollution at Guanabara Bay that was highlighted at last month’s sailing test event on Marina da Glória.
Although the International Sailing Federation welcomed improvements regarding pollution, it admitted that it remained concerned about dead animals and debris in the water that could affect racing.
Rio 2016 has since revealed it is installing a giant underground “containment belt” in an attempt to capture sewage destined for the Bay to reduce water pollution levels.
Progress on a subway-line extension to the Olympic Park and a possible shortage of hotel rooms are also likely to be raised during the IOC visit.
“During its stay, the Commission will meet with representatives from the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and all levels of Government, as well as have the opportunity to visit some of the Games venues to see construction progress first hand,” read a statement from the IOC.
“With Rio 2016 having recently celebrated its two-years-to-go milestone, started its volunteer recruitment programme, and announced ticket prices, there has been a lot of activity in Rio over the past few months, and the Commission will hear updates on each of these important programmes.
“The Commission will also examine a number of other areas of the Games preparations including, athletes’ services, sport, venues, National Olympic Committee services, International Federation services, accommodation, transport, marketing, media services, and the preparations for the Paralympic Games.”
The Rio Olympic Games are due to take place from August 5 to 21, 2016, with the Paralympics to follow on September 7 to 18.
This article first appeared in insidethegames.biz and has been reproduced with permission. The original article can be viewed by clicking here.
