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IOC Praises Rio 2016 Preparations

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ended its inspection of Rio 2016 on Friday, and while it was satisfied with the city’s preparations for the Games, it stressed there is “not a second to waste”.

Coordination Commission head Nawal El Moutawakel said in a statement, “the challenge in front of the Brazilian team is an impressive one given the scale of the Games project and the immovable deadline of August 5, 2016. Rio 2016 and its partners continue to deliver successfully on their commitments”.

Moutawakel said organizers needed to continue to work hard despite the progress. She said, “as we have said since Day One, there is not a second to waste. We have been reassured to see that the government support that we’ve seen since the bid phase remains strong, with all levels of the state continuing to work hand in hand with each other and the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee to deliver great Olympic Games in 2016”.

The IOC team met with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff a day earlier and praised the support for the Games from all levels of government.

Moutawakel said the meeting with Rousseff in Brasilia, the nation’s capital, helped show IOC officials the importance of the Games to the Brazilian people.

Carlos Nuzman, President of Rio 2016, was also present at the meeting. Nuzman said the union of the three levels of government makes for speedier and more efficient planning.

He said, “I am certain that Rio de Janeiro will be the greatest example of transformation of a city in the history of the Olympic Games. We are very pleased to be working with the three levels of government to make Rio an example to other cities after the 2016 Games”.

The visit included several meetings involving officials, city authorities, and delegates of the Rio 2016 organizing committee. The IOC team also inspected some Olympic venues, including the Athletes’ Park, which was open to the public Wednesday.

The next full visit of the IOC Coordination Commission is June 4-6.

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