(ATR) The summer Olympic sports body says its "huge list" of gripes and concerns are being dealt with by the IOC’s top officials in Rio.
Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi and sports director Kit McConnell have spent more time on the ground in Rio over the last few weeks to tackle the "thousands of details" the IOC and federations still must resolve before the Aug. 5 to 21 Games.
They are helping to resolve what ASOIF director Andrew Ryan calls a "huge, endless list of minor issues" challenging the 28 summer sports in the next 50 days to the opening ceremony.
Ryan said the pair’s increased presence in Rio has "definitely made a difference" to alleviating the concerns of federations aired at the ASOIF general assembly in April.
"For us it is hugely helpful, because it is far more effective in this last stage to have the top representation of the IOC on site together with organizers, facilitating decisions and solutions," Ryan tells Around the Rings.
"It’s a really big step forward. The speed with which things are being resolved is much better. By having them on site every day, the volume of resolutions has gone up," he added.
The laundry list of issues facing IFs in the run-in to Rio covers lighting problems at the Deodoro Olympic Park, transport logistics, collection of tickets, accreditations and accessibility.
While Ryan describes them as minor issues in the overall picture of the Games, he says addressing the final challenges for federations is essential to the smooth operation of the Games.
"Now Kit is in their [Rio 2016] office sitting down with people’s concerns," he said.
On the delay-hit velodrome, the most troublesome venue project, Ryan said feedback from the IOC officials in Rio had allowed ASOIF "to understand exactly where we are on a number of specific issues". The IOC offered assurances that it would be ready for the training event at the end of June.
How do the federations’ build-up to the Rio Olympics compare to London 2012?
Ryan said the issues were largely similar but the volume much greater. He did not highlight the Zika virus in Brazil or water quality in the sewage-infested Guanabara Bay for sailing being significant challenges.
Confidence in Rio’s final burst of preparations has moved up a notch in recent weeks.
"We just really feel now it is motoring. Federations are heavily engaged, there are lot of federations’ visits all the time," he said.
"We are feeling much more confident about it but not complacent by any means," he said.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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