Bach Announces Rescue Package for Rio Olympics

(ATR) Thomas Bach declined the opportunity to raise a yellow or red card to crisis-hit Rio 2016 organizers but fails to rule out moving the Games.

Speaking at a press conference in Belek, the German unveiled a set of emergency measures aimed at lifting the troubled Rio 2016 project out of its present crisis.

Bach was asked if it was time to brandish a warning card amid the chronic delays hampering Rio’s progress.

"This is not about giving cards. This is about ensuring the success of these Games," the German hit back.

"We still believe that these Games can be very successful, and we are undertaking all the measures to make these games successful."

Bach was asked if he was 100 percent sure the Games could still be held in Rio, in the wake of serious concerns yesterday expressed by senior IOC officials and 17 of 28 sports on the Games roster at a meeting on the sidelines of the SportAccord Convention in Antalya.

Bach did not shut the door on the idea of relocating the Games if preparations did not show major signs of improvement.

"What I can say, categorically, [is] we will do everything to make these Games a success," he said.

Bach outlined the package of emergency measures the IOC has introduced in a bid to save the Games. These include creating three task forces – construction, operations, and engagement. The composition of the working groups will be decided in the next two weeks.

He said the IOC was also recruiting a project manager with experience in construction "to monitor on a day-by-day basis the progress being made in the different venues and the infrastructure."

Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli was due to hand over the reigns of his current job to Christophe Dubi in September to begin a new role as the IOC’s Rio 2016 troubleshooter. Those plans have changed.

Bach announced to the news conference that the date had been brought forward with the Swiss set to take on even more responsibility for Rio 2016 as from next week.

"We believe Rio can and will deliver excellent Games if appropriate actions are being taken now," he said, adding he didn’t want to start a blame game.

On Monday, Felli will have a conference call with the organizing committee, mayor, and other stakeholders. Bach confirmed that the Swiss would make his first "assessment visit" to Rio a couple of days later.

"Again, this is not a measure being imposed by the IOC or one-sided," Bach was keen to emphasize. "We are offering the best expertise we can offer from the IOC to Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. They are very pleased with this offer."

Felli tells Around the Rings that he will visit Rio at least four or five times before September, about double the number of check-ups he was due to carry out under the IOC’s project review schedule.

The IOC and Summer Olympic federations made crystal clear the gravity of their concerns at a joint meeting on Wednesday, with some anxious sports leaders calling for a plan B because their venues had not even reached the construction stage.

The IOC Executive Board conveyed the concerns to Rio 2016 president Carloz Nuzman and Eduardo Paes at a video conference on Wednesday.

Bach said the special measures for Rio 2016 were aimed at forging better cooperation with the OCOG and three levels of government.

With the delay-hit FIFA World Cup preparations a major headache for world football’s governing body, IOC officials have said this week in Belek they are concerned Brazil might lose its focus on the Rio 2016 project.

Bach had a different answer today. Asked if he was worried Brazil’s attention on completing World Cup preparations would disrupt and further delay Rio 2016 progress, he said, "Not at all."

Additional IOC measures to boost Rio 2016’s momentum include a request by the IOC for Brazil to form a high-level decision-making body including organizing committee and government officials with the IOC playing "a major role in coordinating efforts by all stakeholders."

Echoing the IOC’s actions to accelerate fast-track preparations for the Sochi Olympics, the IOC is also seeking to enhance collaborations with the IFs and other key stakeholders. Dedicated project teams comprising officials from different IFs will head to Rio on a regular basis to troubleshoot problems.

Felli told the news conference that the IOC’s bigger push to help Rio 2016 get the job done was necessary.

"We are not going to go there to point a finger to whoever. We believe the potential is in their hands, but maybe we can help them to take decisions.

"We will go there as a facilitator to help them ... where are the issues and how to resolve the issues," he said.

In a statement on Thursday, Rio 2016 said, "We discussed and agreed to these measures with the IOC yesterday. The expert advice and support offered by the IOC and the international federations is always appreciated, and we look forward to working even more closely with all of our partners to deliver great Games in Rio in 2016."

Written by Mark Bisson

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