Rio de Janeiro Olympics spokesperson Mario Andrada said "he is 'confident' the sprawling corruption scandal engulfing Brazil won't touch projects connected" to South America's first Olympic Games, according to Stephen Wade of the AP. Andrada's comment comes one day after the country's leading newspapers "released scans of spreadsheets showing the giant construction company Odebrecht appeared to make payments to hundreds of leading politicians including Rio state governor Luiz Fernando Pezao and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes."
It was not immediately clear if the payments "were legal or illicit, but the massive scope raises questions" (AP, 3/24).
EVENT CANCELLATION: REUTERS' Bradley Brooks reported Rio Olympics organizers "have cancelled the only test event for the indoor cycling at this year's Games because the velodrome will not be ready in time." The event was due to take place on April 30 and May 1 but the velodrome "will not be completed until at least May 31." Andrada:
"We are 120 percent confident it will be ready for the Olympics." Andrada "blamed the delays on logistical problems caused by raw materials imported from Siberia" (REUTERS, 3/24).
