RIO DE JANEIRO - United States Olympic Committee (USOC) managing director Leslie Gamez said Wednesday Rio had made “stunning progress” in preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games following a three-day visit.
The Engenhao stadium undergoes renovation work ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 6, 2014
More than 60 USOC delegates met organizing committee staff and visited facilities as they focused on planning logistics and Gamez said they were impressed.
“It’s been super-great, we’ve seen some stunning progress,” she said in comments reported in an organizers' statement.
“In terms of the infrastructure, hotels are being built, the progress at the Olympic Park is amazing, the Olympic Village continues to be impressive -– it looks really wonderful, it’s a great location and I think our teams are going to be really comfortable there.”
“This is the perfect place to host the Games -- you feel the enthusiasm and passion for sports in everyone you meet, from hotel owners to taxi drivers.”
Rio, which has had to fend off myriad accusations of preparations struggling to keep up to schedule, will host the Games on August 5-21, 2016.