Rio Games progress termed ‘much better’

Senior IOC official satisfied with reports on Brazil’s 2016 showpiece.

SYDNEY: Australia’s Olympic chief John Coates, who in April branded preparations for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as the worst ever, said on Tuesday that the prognosis was now “much, much better”.

Speaking at an event to mark two years until the start of the Rio Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice president said Brazil’s successful hosting of the soccer World Cup in June and July had been reassuring.

“I wasn’t there, but all of the reports to the IOC were good,” said Coates.

“It’s a different event ... but over the last two months they’ve really put their foot to the pedal. We’re back there officially at the end of September for another report but the prognosis is much, much better.”

The first Games on the South American continent have been plagued by delays, rising costs and bad communication between different levels of the Brazilian government and organisers, prompting criticism from international sports federations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2014.

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