IOC highlights importance of ‘constant, concerted and integrated effort’ for Rio 2016 Games
Coordination Commission ends sixth visit by stressing there is no time to lose and importance of integrated work
IOC's Nawal El Moutawakel (left) with the Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman (right) (Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for Rio 2016 ended its sixth visit to the city on Friday by stressing that “a constant, concerted and integrated effort is required for the successful delivery of the Games and its legacy”. The IOC highlighted the advances made by Games organisers, but said in a statement that “there is not a moment to lose” in preparing for the Games.
The IOC pointed out that a number of important decisions remain to be made and again stressed the importance of full integration between the organising committee and the federal, state and city governments. It is expected that the responsibilities for each Games-related project will be clarified, along with the associated funding, at a meeting in the capital, Brasília, on 27 March.
With a little more than two years until the opening ceremony of the Games, on 5 August 2016, the organising committee and its government partners have entered a highly demanding stage of the project. Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman said: “We enter this crucial phase of our journey without a minute to lose, and certain that our partners in government share this vision.”
The IOC pointed out that a number of important decisions remain to be made and again stressed the importance of full integration between the organising committee and the federal, state and city governments. It is expected that the responsibilities for each Games-related project will be clarified, along with the associated funding, at a meeting in the capital, Brasília, on 27 March.
With a little more than two years until the opening ceremony of the Games, on 5 August 2016, the organising committee and its government partners have entered a highly demanding stage of the project. Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman said: “We enter this crucial phase of our journey without a minute to lose, and certain that our partners in government share this vision.”
CoCom meetings happen every six months in Olympic host cities (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The IOC Coordination Commission highlighted the progress made, noting the finalisation of the overall venue masterplan, the publication of the organising committee’s budget and the integration of the federal government’s efforts.
The commission praised the work of Rio 2016 and its partners towards delivering a sustainable legacy from the Games, highlighting that: public transport usage is expected to rise from 12% today to 60% by 2016; there will be a seven-fold increase in treated sewage around Guanabara Bay by 2015; one million people will have the opportunity to learn a second language thanks to the Games; 75 new hotels are expected to be built, creating an estimated 11,000 new jobs.
“The Rio 2016 Olympic Games have a great potential for being a very exciting event which leaves many legacies” said IOC Coordination Commission Chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel. “But although progress is being made, each decision that is postponed and each subsequent delay will have a negative impact on delivery – total focus and dedication are therefore required. The Olympic Movement stakeholders will continue to actively and constructively assist the organisers towards their short and long-term objectives.”
The Coordination Commission spent Thursday visiting the competition sites, assessing in detail the progress of all the venues in the Barra and Deodoro clusters, having spent Wednesday at the Rio 2016 headquarters, being updated on the project. It will return to Rio de Janeiro in September this year for its seventh visit.
