With International Olympic Committee officials in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to monitor progress on the 2016 Olympics, the city's Mayor Eduardo Paes acknowledged that work on a large cluster of venues is far behind schedule, according to the Associated Press.
Paes made his remarks as Nawal El Moutawakel, the head of the inspection committee, reminded Rio officials that the recent Sochi Winter Olympics showcased "meticulous planning," the AP reported. She urged Rio organizers to meet deadlines and to explain clearly to the Brazilian public why it should back the games.
International Olympic Committee officials have criticized Rio for slow progress in preparing for the games. Many Brazilians question the billions being spent on this year's World Cup, with that sentiment spilling over to the Olympics, according to the AP.
"Sochi's operations were a great success, but now the world's attention is turning here to Rio and to Brazil," El Moutawakel said, addressing Rio organizers and local politicians at the start of a three-day inspection tour, the AP reported.
A main concern is the Deodoro area in a run-down part of northern Rio de Janeiro, according to the AP. It will house the second-largest cluster of venues, but construction has yet to begin with the games 2 1/2 years away.
El Moutawakel has described deadlines for Rio as "very, very tight," and while speaking in Sochi last month, IOC President Thomas Bach said "there is not a single day to lose" in reference to Rio's preparations, the AP reported.
Deodoro will host events like shooting, hockey, equestrian, canoeing and BMX. Some basketball is also to be played there, according to the AP.
"Deodoro continues to be my major concern," Paes said, the AP reported. "I'm paying close attention to it. We were given these works very late. But I'm very confident that we will meet the deadlines and will deliver it; also because the construction work there is easier."
The delays at Deodoro center on a dispute about what level of government was responsible for the project, according to the AP. Environmental problems also dog the Rio Games.
Scientists and Olympic sailors have complained about high levels of fecal pollution in Guanabara Bay, the sailing venue, with surface debris also endangering racers, the AP reported.
Rio organizers said Wednesday that sailing test events would be held in August 2014, with the other test events between July 2015 and May 2016, according to the AP. Soccer venues will be: Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Brasilia and Sao Paulo.
About $15 billion in public and private money will be spent on the Olympics, the AP reported. Brazil is officially spending about $11 billion on the World Cup, which opens June 12, with police and the military preparing for protests during the month-long tournament.
