IOC plays down Rio problems,says Games deliver on promises

RIO DE JANEIRO: Organisers for the Rio Olympics have delivered on their promises, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday, playing down persistent problems that have plagued the first South American Games since the start.

Games’ organisers have had to deal with a seemingly endless list of issues affecting venues and infrastructure alike as the country grapples with its worst recession since the 1930s.

From the day of the opening ceremony on August 5, thousands of empty seats have been visible at many venues despite assurances from organisers they would be filled eventually.

Transportation in the traffic-clogged and crime-ridden city has also proved to be a permanent headache while signage around the stadiums and outside venues has been virtually non-existent.

“We still have an issue with the look of the Games and signage,” said the IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director, Christophe Dubi.

“What they have faced is a very unfortunate situation.”

According to organisers, contractors failed to deliver the banners on time with only a fraction of them displayed across the city, stadiums and other Olympic areas.

They were equally absent along the route of the women’s marathon on Sunday. “They (banners, signs) could not be delivered on time and they had to change providers. Many things should have been installed and could not,” Dubi said.

Bach did praise organisers for adapting quickly to the situation and at least securing Olympic banners for all fields of play, saying they had also done so when problems arose with the colour of the diving pool and other issues. “Halfway through, I think we can say Brazil and the Cariocas (Rio residents) delivered on what they promised,” he said.

“If we go back in time, they said we would have great venues and we have spectacular venues. They said we would have a whole new infrastructure benefiting citizens before the Games and this is what they have done.

“They said ‘we will offer a Carioca experience’ and this is what we have. We are were we should be midway through.”

He said new sports — golf and rugby sevens — had been a success despite initial low attendances and countries such as Singapore, Puerto Rico, Vietnam and Fiji, among others, added their first ever gold medal at these Olympics.

Despite the thumbs-up from the IOC, however, problems will not go away.

Organisers are still struggling to clean both pools and get rid of an uninviting green hue for which they blame the contractors.