This month marked the close of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia and with the passing of the torch, eyes are beginning to look towards Rio for the 2016 summer games. The International Olympic Committee has made several visits to the future host city to monitor the progress the hosts are making. The IOC wrapped up their sixth visit from March 19-22 to Rio de Janeiro and expressed their concerns about time.
“The Rio 2016 Olympic Games have great potential for being a very exciting event which leaves many legacies, but although progress is being made, each decision that is postponed and each subsequent delay will have a negative impact on delivery. Total focus and dedication are therefore required. The Olympic Movement stakeholders will continue to actively and constructively assist the organizers towards their short and long-term objectives.” – IOC Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel
The IOC did mention that significant progress has been made over their last few visit in September of 2013, but warns the Rio Organizing Committee that they need to take advantage of every second counts. The timelines for the delivery of certain Olympic venues have been delayed, and “now leave no margin for further slippage.” The IOC also mentioned that they are grateful the sense of urgency is shared by all parties involved.
On March 27th, a meeting with the Brazilian Federal Authorities and “key games stakeholders” will take place at the Brazilian capital, Brasilia. The purpose of this meeting is to clarify the responsibilities of all involved to ensure that progress is being made with the production of the Olympic venues. They will also confirm that the necessary funding will be available to avoid any interferences that may delay the project.
The President of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, offered the following statement:
“We enter this crucial phase of our journey without a minute to lose, and certain that our partners in government share this vision”
The Rio 2016 Organizing Committee uploaded a video that allows you to check out the construction progress in venues such as those of Barra Olympic Park and Deodoro Sports Complex, besides other major infrastructure projects in the city. The IOC noted that the public transportation usage is expected to dramatically increase from 12% to 60% by 2016, there will be a large increase in sewage treatment around Guanabara Bay by 2015, more than 1 million people will have opportunity to learn english, more than 75 new hotels are expected to be built, and there will be 11,000+ new jobs created.
Test events will begin taking place this summer and organizers are looking forward to the local population beginning to feel the games come to life.