Rio Stresses Advancements in Preparations

Rio de Janeiro emphasized that 38 percent of the 2016 Olympic venues are ready.

A total of 37 venues - 29 permanent and eight temporary - will be used for the Rio Games. Eleven of the permanent venues are operational, a statement from Rio 2016 said. A further eight need some renovation.

Much of the construction currently being done on venues is underground or foundational work.

"We are advancing in the construction of competition venues for the Rio 2016 Games, with all of the basic and executive projects concluded or in the conclusion phase, and with foundation works in full flow," said Alexandre Techima, the Rio 2016 infrastructure integration director.

"Even though they may not be highly visible, the preparative groundwork and foundation construction that occurs underground are extremely important for the final structure and often account for 20 percent of the total volume of construction."

Rio’s Olympic organizers have come under fire for a perceived slow pace in preparations. IOC vice president John Coates called the city’s preparations the worst ever and the IOC has repeatedly stressed that time is running out for organizers.

One major venue that has finished its renovation is Maracana Stadium. The iconic venue will be used for the World Cup, Olympic football, and the Games Opening and Closing Ceremony.

"Construction progress can be seen in the four Rio 2016 competition zones" the statement from Rio said.

"While work on the Barra Olympic Park advances, with the conclusion of the foundations of Olympic Halls 1, 2 and 3, the Olympic Golf Course site is being irrigated in order to allow grass planting to begin.

"At Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the venue for rowing and canoe sprint, depth studies have been completed, while at Flamengo Park, the design of the integrated route for the athletics, road cycling, and paracycling courses has started."

Written by Ed Hula III

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