Rousseff vows greater role in Rio 2016 preparations

Rio de Janeiro, May 13 (IANS) Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vowed to assume a greater role in preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Rousseff made the declaration after meeting with Rio de Janeiro governor Luiz Fernando Pezao, mayor Eduardo Paes and members of the Games organizing committee late on Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

"I promised (Rio 2016) president Carlos Arthur Nuzman and our objective is to integrate ourselves more deeply," Rousseff said.

Organisers and local government officials have faced criticism over the polluted state of the Olympic sailing, rowing and canoeing venues.

Last month, the International Sailing Federation warned that sailing events could be shifted from Guanabara Bay, which remains littered with trash and untreated sewage.

Rousseff said a sprawling corruption scandal engulfing state-run oil firm Petrobras, politicians and construction firms would not affect work on Olympic venues.

"I don't see any impact that (it) could have on Olympic projects," Rousseff said. "I don't have anything showing that it could have an impact."

Rousseff said she would return to Rio in the coming months to meet again with organisers and government officials.

The Rio 2016 Games, to be held from September 5 to 21, will be the first Olympics to be held in South America.