Summer Olympics Chief Puts Rio Problems on Government Shoulders

(ATR) Amid mounting concerns about Rio 2016 delays, ASOIF president Francesco Ricci Bitti tells Around the Rings the Brazilian government must "hurry up" and release cash to accelerate preparations.

"Timelines for construction is late, and time is getting very tight," the Italian IOC member told ATR during a break in ASOIF’s general assembly at SportAccord in Belek.

"Without the full commitment of the government that is very busy now with FIFA, and busy means some deviation of attention – the FIFA World Cup and general election – they [Rio 2016] are very scared we miss some more time."

In his opening remarks to officials representing the 28 ASOIF member sports, Ricci Bitti laid the blame for Rio 2016 delays firmly at the government’s door, emphasizing that the federations were working well with the organizing committee.

He said Rio 2016 had its hands tied when it came to the massive construction effort still needed to build venues and transport infrastructure.

Asked for his message to Dilma Rousseff’s government, he told ATR: "Hurry up and open the cash."

The head of the International Tennis Federation said the general problem for all federations concerned what was existing and not existing and the scale of work ahead.

He said IOC president Thomas Bach was working hard to put pressure on Brazil to speed up preparations following his visit in January.Ricci Bitti expects Bach to visit Rio again soon.

"He has been there in January. He will go again with Nawal. Gilbert Felli [Olympic Games executive director] will be more dedicated to the Brazilian cause but time is moving. We lose time."

"I think Thomas has to do another visit to the president of the country," he had earlier told delegates.

The IOC could not confirm any plans for Bach to visit Brazil.

In his speech to delegates, Ricci Bitti blasted the lack of government action to aid the Rio 2016 project.

"Support of government is late. Many words, but no money. We believe the situation is very serious."

ASOIF director Andrew Ryan was also open about Rio’s problems, which will be the top item on the agenda for ASOIF’s joint meeting with the IOC Executive Board on Wednesday.Both Ricci Bitti and Ryan represented ASOIF’s interests on the IOC coordination commission visit to Rio two weeks ago.

While work on the Barra Olympic Park is slow, the second Olympics hub at Deodoro is the chief concern. Eight sports will stage nine disciplines at the site.

The existing equestrian and shooting venues needed substantial work, Ryan said.

"Of the remaining venues there is nothing; there are no workmen on site, nor machines on site. There is substantial work to do," he said.

The new golf course under construction is also a major worry. Ryan said timelines were critical. Once the venue is built, two seasons of grass growth were required to get it into shape for the Olympics, which meant seeding no later than December this year.

Several federation leaders voiced their worries at the ASOIF general assembly.

Kelly Fairwather, CEO of the International Hockey Federation, said that federations had a willingness to work harder than ever before to help an Olympic organizing committee.

"The IFs can’t build the venues. How can we engage to get some positive progress?" he said.

Ricci Bitti responded by saying he would bring all the issues to the attention of the IOC president while ASOIF, particularly the "Deodoro federations," had to "sit down and make some plans."

Brett Gosper, chief executive of the International Rugby Board, told ATR that the federation was "pushing hard" to ensure the set-up of the Deodoro Olympic Park would provide for good interaction between sports and be appealing for fans.

"We hope it doesn’t become a white-knuckle ride. They know they don’t have a second to lose," he said.

Written by Mark Bisson

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.