IOC Steps Up Monitoring of Rio Olympic Preparations -- On the Scene

(ATR) IOC officials Christophe Dubi and Kit McConnell will be spending more time on the ground in Rio from next month to help tackle the "thousands of details" still to resolve.

The Olympic Games executive director and IOC sports director will aim to accelerate the pace of preparations in the final push to the finish line. Finalizing venues are among issues of concern forthe 28 summer sports gathered at the ASOIF general assembly at the SportAccord Convention; others include accommodation, temporary structures and transport operation.

McConnell tells Around the Rings that his new schedule of travel to Brazil is part of the "normal build-up to a Games". He said he would be going more frequently and on longer trips from May.

"Clearly, in the last few months before the Games we are back and forth a lot. It reflects the close partnership we have with the federations," he said.

Last week, the IOC concluded its final coordination commission by expressing confidence in Rio organizers butwarned "there are thousands of details still to manage" in the operational phase "and their timely resolution will make the difference between average Games and great Games".

ASOIF president FrancescoRicci Bittitold ATR: "We have some problems to get to the finish line.

"The time is short so we need to speed up the decision-making process," he said, adding that the more frequent visits of Dubi and McConnell to Rio were vital to accelerating progress.

An official from the International Gymnastics Federation raised "serious problems" at this week’s Rio 2016 test event. He revealed that power outages and problems with the Omega timing system happened "while athletes were performing, which is really a very serious safety issue". He also said there was insufficient lighting in the competition and training halls.

McConnell later told the ASOIF general assembly meeting in Lausanne that the "strength and importance of the international federations" had come through in their increased support to deliver the Games with Rio 2016.

"We have seen a formal change in the role of the IFs moving forward," he said, adding that the "level of engagement" would be similar for upcoming Olympics.

Rio 2016 leaders tried to reassure the 28 sports they were dealing with the individual issues raised by the IFs. Federations aired their concerns in lengthy discussions at a private ASOIF meeting on Monday.

"They miss some very important details in each fieldof play," Ricci Bitti told the assembly.

He revealed that IOC president Thomas Bach "is worried like you, like me" but insisted the Games would be a success.

Carlos Nuzman, president of the organizing committee, gave a very brief update to the ASOIF meeting, with Rio 2016 sports director Agberto Guimaraes reporting on the status and progress of the sports venues and related operations.

Nuzman admitted there was "a lot that needs to be finalized". He said 62 percent of tickets for the Games had been sold.

Impact of Political Crisis

He dismissed suggestions that the possible impeachment of Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff might disrupt final preparations for the 2016 Games.

"We are not involved in this and the Games will run normally as they did until today. It means no problems for the conclusion and to deliver the games," he said.

Guimaraes insisted the Olympics was "immune" from the impeachment process. "Sport is above all of that," he said.

On the Zika virus, Nuzman said it was "a global concern and for us also it’s important for the Brazilian population. We are working a lot and hope not to have any issues during the Games."

Of the venues he reported on, Rio’s sports chief commented on the much-delayed velodrome, the biggest headache for the IOC and organizing committee.

He said the venue was up and running. "The track is practically completed. We have a lot of work to do there. Nobody is taking for granted your venue."

Guimaraes said the venue would be ready in June, with testing taking place for some athletes, operations and the scoring system.

Another significant concern is the sewage-infested Guanabara Bay for sailing. He spoke of dealing with the removal of "floating garbage".

He said the water quality was being monitored by the government: "We will make sure we provide a safe area for athletes to compete during Games time."

Guimaraes ended his update by paying tribute to the help of the 28 summer sports for their "patience, help, collaboration and understanding".

"I assure you when the Games close the athletes will be happy with the results they have achieved, you will be happy with the level of service we provide to you," he said.

Reported in Lausanne by Mark Bisson

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