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Olympic Notes: Int'l Cycling Union President Expresses Concern Over Rio Venues

Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) President Brian Cookson remains "very, very concerned" that the velodrome under construction for the Rio Olympics "will not be completed in time for a proper test event." Cookson said that "most of the cycling venues are ready, including the BMX and mountain bike courses." But the $43M centerpiece facility "has already missed several deadlines, forcing the cancellation of a test event at the velodrome scheduled for March." Cookson said, "I'm very unhappy about that. The progress still seems to be incredibly slow." Brazilian Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani recently said that the velodrome was nearly 90% complete, "and most of the work will be completed in June with only some fine-tuning necessary" (AP, 5/25).
 
EXTRA HELP: Brazilian Health Minister Ricardo Barros said that plans "include hiring 6,000 extra staff to ensure public health during the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games." Barros visited the IOC in Geneva on Tuesday and told IOC Dir General Christophe De Kepper and Medical Dir Richard Budgett about "the results of his meeting," during which authorities discussed "final adjustments ahead of the Games in August." All levels of government in Brazil "are taking measures to combat the zika virus." These measures include the hiring of 2,500 extra health workers to assist at Rio's hospitals and first aid points, as well as 3,500 people "whose job will be to ensure that prevention measures are enforced in all of the Olympic competition areas" (XINHUA, 5/26).

OLYMPIC BRIEFS ...
The Paris 2024 Olympic bid named int'l hospitality group AccorHotels its 11th bid sponsor. The announcement takes total sponsorship revenue so far to €22M ($24.6M) and the overall target of €30M ($33.6M) is set to be reached in the coming weeks and months (Paris 2024).

The IOC hired social content agency Shareability to "promote its new digital OTT channel as part of a strategy to appeal to young people" and maintain interest between tournaments. The year-round channel will cost $600M over seven years. It will be funded by the IOC, sports federations, national Olympic committees and sponsorship. Shareability will "focus on reaching young people, who are more likely to connect with Olympics content online than through TV" (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 5/26).

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