IOC Tells Rio Organizers 'Time Is Ticking,' Hinting At Slow Rate Of Progress

Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics organizers have been warned "time is ticking in a not-so-subtle hint to fast-track their Olympic preparations," according to Jacquelin Magnay of the London TELEGRAPH. The IOC's exec board is "increasingly concerned about the rate of progress for the Games, which are mired in politicking between layers of government and indecision about some of the Olympic venues." Rio "has still not committed to an Olympic Games budget despite being awarded the Games three years ago, and the organisers have still to determine the venue for the two new Olympic sports of rugby sevens and golf as well as the established Olympic sport of hockey" (TELEGRAPH, 12/4).

CLOCK IS TICKING: REUTERS' Karolos Grohmann reported IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said, "Our message remains there is time but time is ticking. They [Rio organisers] need to carry on attacking this one with all vigour." Adams added that the IOC exec board "also asked organisers about the state of the country's economy with new figures showing lower than expected growth." Brazil's economy "posted extremely disappointing growth in the third quarter, piling pressure on President Dilma Rousseff to make deeper structural reforms and adding to fears that the global slowdown is hurting big emerging markets." Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman said, "Everything is on the way and on time. The budget will be ready next year. We are in a comfortable, good situation. We are in a very good road" (REUTERS, 12/4).