Rio de Janeiro, March 9 (IANS): Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic organising committee has played down concerns about pollution at the city’s sailing venue.
Guanabara Bay was last year described by British Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallist Ian Barker as a “sewer” due to its high level of rubbish, dark hue and stench, reports Xinhua.
Rio 2016 officials have submitted a report to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) proving the area is safe for athletes.
“There are differences between the place where the the competition will take place and where the problems are,” Rio organising committee president Carlos Nuzman was quoted saying by Folha de S. Paulo.
Nuzman also insisted that Brazil will be ready to stage this year’s football World Cup, despite ongoing stadium and airport delays.
He said the Olympics will benefit from infrastructure built for football’s showpiece tournament.
