After the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel finished her final pre-Games visit to Rio the IOC has stated that “Rio 2016 is ready to welcome the world”.
“The Olympians of 2016 can look forward to living in an outstanding Olympic Village and competing in absolutely stunning venues,” said El Moutawakel. “From views of the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain to the new state-of-the-art facilities in Barra or Deodoro and the iconic Maracanã Stadium and Copacabana Beach, I cannot imagine more spectacular backdrops for the world’s top sportsmen and women to showcase their talents to a watching world.”
Although there have been major concerns surrounding the completion of many of the Olympic facilities the IOC promises that they will be finished and ready in time for the Games.
The IOC gives praise to the government and organizers for the upgrades made to the public transportation system, which are undergoing their final tests. They feel that this will be one of the lasting legacies of the Games and something that will improve the lives of the citizens of Rio.
These upgrades come at a cost to the residents of Rio, a cost that had citizens protesting in January.
During her visit El Moutawakel went over the concerns surrounding the Zika virus and points to the WHO’s latest reports that “there should be no general restrictions on travel and trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission, including the cities in Brazil that will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games”. The IOC also stresses that the Games are being held at a time of the year when the population of mosquitoes is at its lowest, which also reduces the risk of visitors contracting the Zika virus.
Although this has been the consistent stance of the IOC there are many health authorities who have much greater concerns that contradict both the WHO and IOC’s stance on the spread of the disease.
The IOC is also confident in the security measures that the government and Olympic organizers have put in place, which will include 85,000 security personnel.
The safety of the athletes and visitors has been questioned after several serious criminal incidents have taken place in Rio over the last few months. It has gotten so bad that the mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes has stated that the state government has done a ‘terrible job’ when it comes to security.
This concern has been heightened after it was revealed that the government has not had the means to pay their police force adequately. Recently several members of the police force and fire fighters greeted people at the airport with signs stating, “Welcome to Hell. Police and fire fighters don’t get paid, whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe.
The IOC also gave an update on the conditions of the water in Guanabara Bay and Lagoa. Since a new belt of pipes has been put into use in Marina da Gloria the levels of contamination in the water have been greatly reduced. The organizers state that they have “confidence that both areas of water would provide top-level conditions for the athletes.”
After the visit the IOC and the Rio Organizing Committee are both confident that 2016 Olympic Games will be a great success. Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman commented, “Our journey is now entering its most critical phase: Operation of the Games. We are obviously very proud that we are ready to welcome the world and we can also see the transformation of Rio everywhere we go.” He continued, “A lot of work lies ahead of us but we have plenty of energy. We will deliver great Games.”
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The following is the press release in full.
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RIO 2016 IS READY TO WELCOME THE WORLD
With 25 days to go until the Opening Ceremony, “Rio 2016 is ready to welcome the world” according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel . The Olympic champion, who heads the IOC’s Commission that since 2009 has been following the preparations for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, made this statement after her final pre-Games visit to the Brazilian host city.
After meetings with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, all three levels of local government (Federal, State and City), and a tour of a number of sporting venues, El Moutawakel said, “Rio 2016 is ready to welcome the world. The Olympians of 2016 can look forward to living in an outstanding Olympic Village and competing in absolutely stunning venues. From views of the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain to the new state-of-the-art facilities in Barra or Deodoro and the iconic Maracanã Stadium and Copacabana Beach, I cannot imagine more spectacular backdrops for the world’s top sportsmen and women to showcase their talents to a watching world.”
She continued, “I have been visiting Rio regularly since 2009, and I love the Cariocas, and the Brazilians in general. They are a very warm and hospitable people, who know how to welcome guests and how to live life to the fullest. Spectators visiting Rio this August will be able to fully experience that spirit, as they go to the venues, visit the live sites and discover the city. The Cariocas are going to be celebrating, and this means that Rio de Janeiro will be the place to be this August. The Brazilians have also transformed the city through a legacy vision that they have made a reality. Not just by delivering all the venues and services that the Games require on time, but also by creating a legacy that will benefit local citizens and the whole country for decades. The success of these Games will be their success.”
After successfully hosting 44 test events, the Rio 2016 team and the venues are ready for action, with all the facilities receiving their final Olympic touches before the athletes start to arrive in about two weeks’ time. The velodrome and equestrian venues, which were being monitored closely by the organisers, are also in the final stage of preparation, and will be ready for the Games.
The new Metro Line 4, which links Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca, and the Transolimpica Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), linking Barra to Deodoro, will also be fully operational for spectators at the Games. Trains are now running the full length of the metro line, as it enters the final stages of testing. This follows months of work by the Rio State authorities to test the personnel, rolling stock and safety technology of the new line, while the last bits of construction were being completed. The metro will play a key role in a sophisticated transport plan that will see athletes, spectators and local residents take advantage of a number of new pieces of transport infrastructure, such as approximately 150km of new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines that have been built thanks to the catalyst of the Games and which are already, in some cases, changing local peoples’ lives for the better.
The subject of Zika was discussed during the visit. It was underlined that the latest advice of the WHO reaffirms that “there should be no general restrictions on travel and trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission, including the cities in Brazil that will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games” (full WHO advice here), while the local authorities and organisers explained the ongoing work that is being carried out to minimise the risk to visitors. It was also pointed out that the Games will take place during the winter months of August and September, when the drier, cooler climate greatly reduces the presence of mosquitoes and therefore the risk of infection.
On the wider security front, the Brazilian authorities reinforced their commitment to safe and secure Games, with a combined security force of 85,000 people guaranteeing the security of the Olympic Village, the sports venues and key infrastructure, such as the city’s airports and main roads. Security personnel from 55 countries will be involved in securing the Games.
El Moutawakel was also updated on the work that is being carried out ahead of the Games in the Guanabara Bay and Lagoa venues. The new belt of pipes that has recently been put into service around the Marina da Gloria area is showing its effectiveness, with the latest readings presenting much improved water quality levels in that area. Organisers restated their confidence that both areas of water would provide top-level conditions for the athletes.
Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman commented, “Our journey is now entering its most critical phase: Operation of the Games. We are obviously very proud that we are ready to welcome the world and we can also see the transformation of Rio everywhere we go.” He continued, “A lot of work lies ahead of us but we have plenty of energy. We will deliver great Games.”
With the Games only weeks away, the city of Rio de Janeiro is getting dressed-up, as elements of the Games’ Look go up across the city. Organisers and local authorities were keen to underline the Carioca and Brazilian spirit that athletes, visitors and Games spectators will find in the city this August. As well as seeing the world’s best Olympic athletes competing in outstanding settings, spectators will be able to take advantage of the Games’ live sites, including in the newly revitalised port area; experience the Olympic spirit Carioca style in the Barra and Deodoro Parks; hang out at the beach; and discover a city and people with an important cultural heritage and a reputation for hosting one of the world’s number one celebrations every year, the Carnival.
An explanation was also given of the legacy that the Olympic Games Rio 2016 has given to the city, and which is starting to materialise already today. This includes new transport infrastructure, sports venues that will become schools or sports facilities for local communities, around 70 new hotels, improved waste management, training for thousands of workers and volunteers, and investments in the city and local businesses that will make the city even more attractive in the years to come.
I’m worried for the health of the open water and sailing athletes for having to go near that cesspool which they call a bay.
Captain Awesome – open water swimmers don’t have to go anywhere near the bay. Open water swimming is being held at the Copacabana.