12 Apr 2014

IOC to keep closer eye on Rio delays

6:38 am on 12 April 2014

The International Olympic Committee is to set up three task forces to deal with delays in Rio de Janeiro's preparations for the 2016 Games.

IOC president Thomas Bach.

IOC president Thomas Bach. Photo: AFP

The delays range from venue construction to infrastructure, transportation and problems with water quality.

Olympic games director Gilbert Felli will next week travel to Rio de Janeiro earlier than planned.

After a two-day executive board meeting in Turkey, IOC president Thomas Bach said on Thursday

the organisation wants Brazil to set up a decision-making body involving the government, the IOC and organisers to enable faster decisions to be taken.

International sports federations are to be more closely integrated in planning as was the case for the winter Games in Sochi.

Mr Bach said it was not a case of handing out yellow cards as a warning to the hosts, as was the case with Athens in 2004.

"This is not about giving out (yellow) cards. This is about ensuring success of these Games," he said.

"We still believe these Games can be very successful and we are undertaking all measures to make these Games successful."