Rio Olympics on time despite Brazil crisis - IOC

Rio Olympics on time despite Brazil crisis - IOC

RIO DE JANEIRO - Olympics chiefs said Wednesday that preparations for the Rio Games in August are running on time despite the crisis that threatens to topple the Brazilian government.

IOC chairperson Nawal El Moutawakel (C), Mayor Eduardo Paes (L) and Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Nuzman (R) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on April 11, 2016

"The IOC is a non-political organization and we have been moving forward with our ongoing work despite the complex environment politically and economically," said Nawal El Moutawakel, who heads the International Olympic Committee's coordination commission.

"This is not creating an impact on the Games as we have been delivering on time."

On Sunday, Brazil's lower house of Congress votes on whether to call for an impeachment trial against President Dilma Rousseff over corruption accusations, while the country is also mired in deep recession.

The IOC "is working really hard to make sure that the deadlines are respected," El Moutawakel told a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, where the Games will run from August 5 to 21.

"We are waiting for Sunday to see how the situation develops."

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT