Environmental Concerns Land Rio Golf Course in Court

(ATR) More litigation has been brought forth amid environmental concerns over the Rio Olympic golf course.

The city of Rio de Janeiro and course developer were in court Wednesday after a lawsuit was brought against the course for environmental concerns.

A new proposal has been presented, which would alter the course, presenting more setbacks for the oft-delayed project. Under the new agreement, the course would not be relocated from Barra de Tijuca.

"As defined by the judgment of the 7th Public Treasury’s Specialized Court, Rio de Janeiro’s City Hall is analyzing the proposal of the State Prosecutor and will present the remarks to the judge," a spokesperson from the Rio de Janeiro state government toldATR.

The city will have to return to court on September 17 to say if they can accept the proposal.

"We are pleased that construction on the course has not been stopped and will be monitoring further developments closely," Rio 2016 said in its official statement.

The organizing committee was not involved in the lawsuit.

"It is in society's interests that the Olympics take place and it's also in society's interests that the environment be preserved," Judge Eduardo Klausner told the two parties in court, according to a report by the AP.

"What has to be observed is legality, and within legality is respect for the environment."

Canadian IOC member Dick Pound told Around the Rings he is not directly familiar with the lawsuit, but Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes is "very with-it" and "determined to make his city famous, not infamous."

Pound said there are number of concerns with Rio, but stressed the city is well prepared to tackle any of them.

Written by Aaron Bauer

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.