The Hula Report: IOC Presses Rio, AIPS Salutes Media

(ATR) Rio 2016 says the gnomes running transport for the Olympics are hard at work to make things roll better and faster for the 12 days left.

Improvements can be noted: our commute to the MPC from our hotel in Copacabana was much closer to the 42-minute mark that is supposed to be standard for this route. Still, travel for all requires endurance and patience to reach venues in the west of the city so far away they seem to be in Paraguay.

It’s 30 km from Copacabana to the Main Press Center, and 50 km to Deodoro, the farthest flung venue in the Rio Olympic kingdom.

But fall off the official transportation grid and trouble looms. Cab rides from hell can last an hour due to poor knowledge of roadway changes because of the Olympics.

Uber is mostly a giant failure. Drivers take forever to find you for pickup and hours longer once they’ve gotten lost with you – even with GPS ... and directions from the driver.

Tensions Flare with IOC, Rio 2016

The IOC and Rio exchange sharp words Monday at the morning meeting between the Executive Board and Rio 2016 staff. Around the Rings is told one EB member might have even asked Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman to step aside. Read all about it here.

Food Trucks to the Rescue

One of the things the IOC was upset about with Rio 2016 was shortages of food services within the Olympic Park. ATR’s Bob Mackin reports that improvements were evident Tuesday afternoon with seven food trucks in position near the aquatics center. Ice cream vendors were also in business. On Monday, Rio 2016 allowed ticketed spectators to leave the park in search of food and re-enter, which is not usually allowed at Olympic venues.

Olympic Media Vets Recognized

Ten Games and you get a torch.

More than 100 veteran journalists and photographers were honored by the International Sport Press Association Monday. Their reward for working 10 or more Olympic Games was a miniature Rio 2016 torch.

Names in boldface at the event – Olympic champion sprinter Michael Johnson … hammer throw medalist Koji Murofushi … Prince Albert of Monaco … Donna de Varona, gold medalist in swimming … South African golf legend Gary Player … Michael Hershman, group CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security … Tegla Laroupe of Kenya, the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon … AIPS Pres. Gianni Merlo … Rio coordination commission chair Nawal el Moutawakel … UIPM Pres. Klaus Schormann … Austin Sealy, IOC member in Barbados … Rome 2024 press chief Fabio Guadagnini …and Jack Chen of Honav, maker of the torch replicas.

Longest serving journo was Giuliano Bevilacqua of The World of Sports Agency Italy with 25 Games.

ATR Editor Ed Hula came in with 13, while Publisher Sheila S. Hula has covered 11 Games. Spies tell us we are the only married couple in the batch.

Culinary Tip of the Day

You won’t find salt and pepper shakers in Rio. Just tiny paper packets that keep the seasonings dry in the muggy climate. Do not confuse the small white packets of salt with the slightly larger ones containing artificial sweetener. Confuse the two for a taste bud surprise.

Shopping Tip for Amethysts and More

The best place to find amethyst geodes of any size as well as other minerals from Brazil is in the two-story shop of Legep, just west of Barra da Tijuca on Avenida das Americas. Room after room of stones at good prices and wrapped for packing.

Av. das Américas, 16551 - Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22790-703, Brazil Hours: 9 am-6 pm.

Wednesday, Aug. 10 Medal Rounds

Wednesday will mark the first day athletes can compete for medals in rowing and table tennis as men's and women's quad sculls and women's singles go for gold. Road cycling will come to a close on Aug. 10 with men's and women's individual time trials.

Competitors in artistic gymnastics, canoe slalom, diving, fencing, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting will also battle for the podium.

Meteorology

High chance of rain throughout the day Wednesday with temperatures around 22c and winds approaching 20 km/h. Could pose trouble for some venues such as sailing. Sunshine expected to return for remainder of week.

Written by Ed Hula.

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