IOC President Bach To Meet With Brazil President To Discuss Olympic Readiness

IOC President Thomas Bach will meet in two weeks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and organizers of Rio's 2016 Olympics "to remind them there is no time to waste as they prepare for South America's first Games," according to the AFP. Rio organizers said on Tuesday that "Bach would meet Rousseff on January 21 in the capital Brasilia." The IOC "has expressed concerns about the pace of building, particularly for the main Olympic Park and a smaller venue area in north Rio." Also, organizers "have yet to announce an operating budget, local sponsorship sales appear to be lagging and pollution is a major problem in waters that will host Olympic events." Olympic officials are worried that "many of the problems surrounding this year's World Cup in Brazil will also plague the Olympics." Bach said, "The purpose is to ensure seamless cooperation between all stakeholders and to tell the Brazilian authorities the IOC is fully committed to the success of these Games" (AAP, 1/7).