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Why an IOC Official Says Prep for the 2016 Summer Olympics Is the Worst He’s Seen

Apr 30, 2014  •  Post A Comment

International Olympic Committee Vice Chairman John Coates said preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics, to be held in Rio de Janerio, is “the worst I have experienced," reports TheWrap.com.

"We've become very concerned," Coates said, adding: "They really are not ready in many, many ways."

TheWrap notes: “Two years away, there has been very little construction other than simply clearing of venue areas, Coates said. Water quality is also [a] concern."

Coates added that the Olympics will go on in Rio, regardless. “There can be no Plan B — we are going to Rio,” he said.

Coates’ warning was unusually blunt, notes CBS News. He has made six trips to Brazil as part of the IOC’s coordination commission for Rio, and said the country is in worse shape than Greek organizers were in getting ready for the 2004 Athens Games.

"Coates noted that the IOC had taken the unprecedented step of embedding experts in the host city to help the local organizing committee deliver the Games," the CBS News report adds.

Coates told an Olympic forum in Sydney that construction delays are only a part of the problem, and said: "The IOC has formed a special task force to try and speed up preparations but the situation is critical on the ground."

Coates added: "The IOC has adopted a more hands-on role. It is unprecedented for the IOC."

Here's a clip of Coates' comments:

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