Fifty families "still refuse to make way" for the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro 18 months before the Olympic Games begin. The land conflict in Vila Autodromo, "which feels like a ghost town" with 90% of its residents gone, "shows the underside of Rio's attempt to use the 2016 Olympic Games to modernize the city." Vila Autodromo holdouts "have become a symbol of resistance to those transformation plans and, depending on how authorities deal with their refusal to leave, a potential flashpoint for anti-Olympics sentiment and protests ahead of the Games" (REUTERS, 2/5). ... Children "are to be encouraged to learn winter sports at schools in Beijing as the city bids to host the Winter Olympics in 2022." It "is part of a general initiative to strengthen sports education in the capital." Authorities ruled that primary and middle schools "should make a greater effort to develop winter sports" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 2/5). ... Organizers of the Rio 2016 Olympics admit they are "concerned" about water pollution in the sailing venue, but say the Games will be delivered "on time." Games organizers "foresee no further delays" to the Olympic golf course site where many of the holes are nearing completion. Municipal Olympic Company President Joaquim Monteiro said, "It is impossible with this kind of event and renovation to have 100 percent of people happy and enthusiastic" (BBC, 2/5).
