Guadalajara Builds On Despite Court-Ordered Work Stoppage

(ATR) Pan American Games organizers say work must go on despite a court order now barring construction on the athletes’ village in Guadalajara.

"The planning and organization of America’s Fiesta continues and now, more than ever, we have the fortitude and mindset needed to organize an excellent edition of the Games," reads a memo sent Monday afternoon via e-mail from the organizing committee COPAG to participating National Olympic Committees as well as Around the Rings.

This weekend’s ruling by Jalisco magistrate Armando Garcia is in response to complaints from the townspeople of nearby Zapopan that building the so-called Villa Panamericana would harm their supply of drinking water.

Not only are organizers chalking the legal action up to an "irregular resolution" fueled by political motives, but they’re also refusing to actually halt the building process, now 85 percent complete.

"At this time, work at the Pan American Village continues without delays," Monday’s memo reads.

"Construction has not stopped and at the same time a motion to appeal is being prepared so that the Pan American Village is ready by the previously anticipated dates."

At least one NOC president replied to COPAG’s e-mail urgently requesting clarification as to why exactly work hasn’t stopped in the wake of a court-ordered work stoppage.

The answer, according to COPAG director of NOC relations Zabdi Cortes, stems from a quirk in Mexico’s constitution.

"COPAG asked for an appeal for constitutional relief," he told ATR late Monday.

"That allows us to keep with the construction until the judge can define the whole situation."

Come October, some 6,000 athletes from 42 countries will call thePan Am Village home, but only if the appeal can prevent any significant work stoppages.

According to Barbados Olympic Association president Steve Stoute, athletes are used to arriving in dirty or unfinished villages caused by minor delays, but a lengthier work stoppage could spell doom for these Pan Ams.

"If construction is delayed for over 20 days it will be doubtful if the Games will proceed," he told ATR, adding that the recommendation of the Pan American Sports Organization will ultimately determine whether most teams do or don’t makethe trip to Guadalajara.

PASO secretary general Jimena Saldana told ATR around midday she was awaiting a briefing from organizers, but efforts made throughout the afternoon to contact Saldana for an update were unsuccessful.

The sudden legal hurdle comes on the heels of mid-April’s six-months-to-go-milestone as well as a chefs de mission meeting and accompanying venue tour. The three-day gathering of NOC representatives was a chance for organizers to pass along Games protocol, calm security concerns and convince everyone the Mexican metropolis will be ready when competition kicks off Oct. 14.

Despite Monday's developments, the U.S. Olympic Committee remains optimistic its neighbor to the south can still stage a successful Games.

"COPAG has reached out to us directly to let us know that construction on the village has not stopped," USOC spokesperson Patrick Sandusky told ATR shortly after receiving the email to NOCs.

"Therefore, we don’t anticipate anything other than a great Pan Am Games this fall."

With 36 sports on the program, Guadalajara 2011 is poised to be the largest multi-discipline event of the year as well as a qualifier for 15 of the 26 sports on the London Olympic program.

Written by Matthew Grayson.