Rio 2016 Organizers Finally Lock Down Venue Master Plan

(ATR) Following IOC criticism of Brazilian bureaucracy hampering Rio 2016 preparations, Olympic organizers have finally signed off on the venue master plan for the Games.

Around the Rings is told that the venue plan was locked down during the eighth IOC project review of Rio preparations.

Nawal El Moutawakel, the IOC’s 2016 watchdog chief, Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli and IOC sports director Christophe Dubi spent the two-day review hunkered in meetings with Rio 2016 leaders, officials from the municipal and state governments, the Brazilian government and the Olympic Public Authority.

Games organisers updated the IOC delegation across various areas of the project, with particular assurances offered about the Deodoro Olympic Park where worrying uncertainties have been expressed about venue plans for canoe, rugby and hockey over the past year. In total, eight sports will be staged at this second Olympics hub.

Rio 2016 said negotiations with the international federations "had enabled the organising committee to finalise the venue master plan".

Dubi welcomed the news: "Completion of the detailed venue master plan two and a half years out is an excellent result. It compares favorably with previous editions of the Games, which saw adjustments later in the preparations."

Describing the IOC project review as productive, Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman, who has come under fire over ongoing delays in preparations, said his team had "greatly benefitted" from the IOC’s expert guidance and support".

Nuzman admitted last weekend that Rio 2016 faced a race against time to be ready. IOC vice-president John Coates had blasted Rio’s delays in the Sunday Times, saying the current state of preparations was "more of a crisis than Athens", a reference to the Greek city’s problems in delivering venues on time. Felli has also voiced concerns about Brazil's bureaucracy and lack of transparency delaying progress.

The Rio 2016 chief today was happy to send out a more positive message.

"Working hand-in-hand with our colleagues from the three levels of government, we have made important advances in our project. We are proud to have finalized the venue master plan in record time, 1,000 days ahead of the Games," Nuzman said.

Adding that the Olympic and Paralympics represented a "hugely demanding project, with many challenges", he insisted Rio was "firmly on track and working every day with great focus, energy and commitment to deliver unforgettable Games in 2016".

The IOC’s project review took place Wednesday and Thursday at Rio 2016 headquarters.

Brazilian sports minister Aldo Rebelo, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes and Games CEO Sidney Levy were other key figures involved.

Presentations were made by functional area heads in all key aspects of the Games, including: sport, venues, villages, accommodation, transport, sustainability, legacy, engagement and communications. No venue visits took place.

The IOC is due to send out a release on the project review on Friday.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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