IOC inspectors tour Rio 2016 sites; games start in 18 months

Posted February 22, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

A general view of the Olympic Park which will host competitions during Rio's 2016 Olympics under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb 19, 2015. International Olympic Committee inspectors start a three-day tour Monday. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - IOC inspectors have begun a three-day visit to Rio de Janeiro to check on preparations for the Olympics, which are just 18 months away.

The IOC's coordination commission is visiting venues and meeting with local organizers as Rio races to be ready on time for South America's first games.

Construction work has speeded up in the past year after a top Olympic official described preparations as the "worst" in recent memory.

Concerns remain over water pollution at several venues, the completion of a subway line and delays in building the velodrome and international broadcaster center.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is also in Rio and will chair a meeting of his executive board later in the week.

Brazil is spending about $14 billion on the Olympics.

People walk past the 2016 Olympic Games's Athletes Village under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. International Olympic Committee inspectors will start a tour of facilities next week. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The Associated Press

Men work in front of a the Olympic Park's entrance, that reads in Portuguese: "Future facilities of the Olympic Park Rio 2016," in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. International Olympic Committee inspectors will start a tour of facilities next week. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The Associated Press

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