(ATR) Organizers for Rio 2016 continue to cut the budget for operations to ensure there will be no overspending ahead of the Olympics.
Rio 2016 Chief Executive Sidney Levy told reporters at the World Press Briefing that "budgets are being examined all the time" ahead of the Games. He said its a direct result of decision to use private not public money to fund the organizing committee.
In his short talk to the media, Levy (who seldom makes speeches to the press) said he wants to deliver Games that are "clean", free from corruption. So far so good he said.
"Fit" is how he described the spend by the organizing committee.
"Just the right amount. No excess, nothing missing."
Levy promised the media that technology needed to cover the event "will not be compromised".
And despite the austerity talk, Levy said the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will be "fun".
Among the notable cuts expected: 10,000 fewer volunteers, down from 70,000 as first planned.
"We need to be creative in the way we find these savings," Mario Andrada, Rio 2016 communications director told BBC this week.
"People get upset about luxury and excess, we have to tighten our belts."
For the media, the tight budget next year will limit complimentary catering in press centers to water and coffee but no biscuits or cookies.
Opening and closing ceremony is another cost center expected to face cuts aswell as the operations at the Aquece Rio test events. The budgets for venues, sports, and athletes at the Games will not be altered.
Even with the tightening of the budget in Rio, retired IOC member Kevan Gosper says he still thinks the city will "overcome" all the hardship and deliver a great Olympics.
"I think the people of Brazil will rise to the occasion," Gosper told ATR on the sidelines of the press briefing.
"Despite the economics,they will deliver superb Games."
Gosper delivered an opening address to the briefing, where he warned organizers that the final year of preparations is often the hardest.
"You have a lot of tough work ahead of you, in this final but very important year; I believe these Games in Rio will be sensational," Gosper said.
Written by Ed HulaandAaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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