Olympic Village Undergoes Ultimate Stress Test

(ATR) Rio 2016 tells Around the Rings 20 of 31 buildings have been cleared to be inhabited after problems when the Olympic Village opened July 24.

Rio organizers have been scrambling to clear all of the buildings in the village after the Australian team could not move into their quarters. Issues with plumbing and electricity were the primary complaint.

Rio 2016 head of communications Mario Andrada told ATR that stress testing could not be done before the opening of the village due to a delay in connecting the water and gas pipes to the city’s infrastructure.

"The plans begun yesterday are working," Andrada said. "We are delivering everything we committed in this plan and we shall finish the works in the village, the extra works, by Thursday."

A statement from the IOC to ATR said that Rio officials "have expressed regret," over how the village was handled, and that crews were continuing to work 24 hours a day to finish the necessary upgrades.

"Rio is working hard to ensure that the on-going works do not disturb their preparations for the Games - preparations that will be taking place in fully checked top quality training venues," the statement read. "[The IOC] appreciates the understanding of the National Olympic Committees at this time."

The late testing affected numerous National Olympic Committees, derailing their move-in plans. The most high profile case came from Australia, which released a statement the morning of the village opening. Australian Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said "a variety of problems…including gas, electricity and plumbing".

A spokesperson for the Australian Olympic Committee tellsATR that staff has already begun to move into the village, with athletes expected to begin settling in tomorrow. A ceremony with the mayor of Rio is planned to hand over the keys to the building.

The mood of the NOC has also changed in the last 48 hours. Chiller said yesterday that her initial statement was not intended to knock Rio 2016 or the city of Rio de Janeiro, just to bring awareness to the situation.

Rio mayor Eduardo Paes took exception to the criticism, telling reporters at the village opening that he felt like he should put a blow up kangaroo outside of the delegation’s building to "make them feel at home."

Chiller initially responded that the team would prefer proper plumbing than the gesture, but said the next day they would love to take the mayor up on his offer, and will be presenting him with a gift when receiving the keys to their building.

Four Olympic committees, Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States were using private contractors to solve issues with accommodations. Spokespersons from the Italian Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee told ATR that athletes were moving into the village and that they were pleased with progress that had been made in the buildings. The majority of athletes from both countries are expected to be moving in during the coming days.

Two other NOCs, Canada and Germany, both reported to ATR that they were confident that by the time athletes were ready to move-in that all solutions were possible. A spokesperson for the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) said that chef de mission Michael Vesper had "organized workmen together with Rio 2016," and remained confident of final preparations.

"While there have been some initial operational challenges in our section of the Athletes’ Village, we are addressing these and have managed to find good solutions," Chris Overholt, chief executive COC, said in a statement. "We are generally satisfied with our village accommodations and thanks to some incredible work by our Mission Team Staff working in close collaboration with Rio 2016."

The Portuguese NOC told Globo that there was no hot water in some of the village apartments, but the problem is expected to be fixed by the time all athletes move in. Outlet G1 reported that Swedish athletes took a taxi to hotels after seeing the lack of cleanliness in their village accommodations.

Rio 2016 says that around 2,400 individuals, 600 of them athletes, have begun staying in the village. Those who have moved-in represent 120 countries. The Rio 2016 Olympics will open in 10 days, with the first football matches coming two days before.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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