Rio Report -- "Rock Solid" Support for the Games; No New Concerns

(ATR) The head of the IOC commission for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics says she sees "rock solid" support from government for the 2016 Olympics and says the work toward the Games is off to a good start.

Nawal El Moutwakel spoke at the end of a three-day meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission for Rio 2016, the first meeting for the panel since the city won the Games seven months ago.

"It is particularly pleasing to see that government support for the Games remains as solid as it was in the beginning, rock solid," said Moutawakel, IOC member from Morocco and the chair of the commission that evaluated Rio and the other three cities in the race for the 2016 Games.

Compared to last year when she visited Rio the candidate city, Moutawakel says

"The passion is still the same. That love for the Games is still the same," she said.

"But a lot is yet to be done and six years are ahead of us. The teams of the three levels of government are of the pressure they have. And the IOC administration and commission is on their side. We all need to succeed to have a great Games," said Moutawakel.

Concerns: Infrastructure, Accomodations, Government Agreement

When asked about concerns, IOC Olympic Games Executive director Gilbert Felli said the visit this week had not produced new concerns. But he says concerns raised a year ago by the IOC Evaluation Commission remain priorities to address in the preparation of the Games.

"Even when you win the Games, you are not perfect," he said.

"One of the issues was that construction and infrastructure be monitored closely, " said Felli.

He noted that the formation of an Olympic Project Authority, or APO as its acronym goes in Portugese, was a step towards fulfilling that need for monitoring progress.

"But it is only on paper now and needs to become operational as soon as possible," he said.

He praised Rio 2016 for a proposal to shift some media housing from the Barra da Tijuca Media Village to new residences to be built in the port district. Housing for referees and other officials will also be located in the port district. Felli says media and officials who are involved with sports nearby such as athletics, archery and beach volleyball will find the port location more convenient than Barra da Tijuca.

Big Changes Fizzle

The addition of media housing to the port is the only substantial change offered by Rio at this first meeting of the IOC Co Comm. At the start of the week there was talk from Mayor Eduardo Paes that four sports as well as the International Broadcast Center and Main Press Center relocate to the port area.

But the suggestion was not made in the face of what would have been certain opposition from the IOC.

Moutawakel said that the IOC "was very happy that all 26 sports in the Rio bid have a home" at this stage of preparation.

But while no venue changes were proposed, Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman revealed that facilities needed for the Games would be located in the port district.

He named the Rio 2016 logistics center, the uniform distribution center and the unaccredited media center as all being planned for the port, about to undergo a substantial renovation prior to the Games.

The next full meeting of the IOC commission is planned for 2011, with a smaller working group to meet in September.

To see the Around the Rings Photodesk of the IOC Coordination Commission visit, click here.

Written by Ed Hula.