Russian Olympic Chief Says Rio Should Host Olympics, Venue Change Not Possible

Russian Olympic Committee Chair Alexander Zhukov said on Thursday that changing the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics "is practically impossible," according to RIA NOVOSTI. R-Sport was earlier told that "the venue may be moved to London because Rio de Janeiro is behind in preparing for the event." Zhukov said, "We hope that Rio will be able to make the preparations to the Olympics and the Games won’t have to be moved to London or Moscow." A source at the IOC earlier revealed that "the Russian capital is being considered as a possible backup host for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games amid doubts that facilities in Brazil will be completed on time" (RIA NOVOSTI, 5/15).