Brazil’s federal auditor raises concerns about Rio 2016 delays

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s federal auditing office has raised more concerns about delays in preparing for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

In a report, Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) said only 5% of a planned US$746 mil (RM2.41 bil) had been spent in a three-year period ending in 2012.

The figure stems from the estimates in a bid plan that Rio organisers submitted in 2009, outlining what would need to be spent on various projects by the end of 2012.

“Although it is not possible to claim that the actions related to the organisation of the Games are virtually paralysed, it is reasonable to infer that the current flow of budgetary resources represents a potential for delays in the progress of these actions,” the auditor’s report said.

Rio organisers issued a statement on Thursday saying the audit “has offered us an important opportunity for dialogue. It is an essential part of the journey that we are taking to deliver the Rio 2016 Games on time and on budget.”

However, it did not address the lack of spending or explain why more funds had not been used. Asked about the audit on Thursday, Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said the federal government was not responsible for delivering the games. He said that fell to the city and state of Rio de Janeiro.

He added “the works are on time, and there is no delay”.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently expressed concern about the preparations.

Earlier this month, Carlos Nuzman, president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, was grilled in Buenos Aires by IOC members concerned about repeated delays.

IOC inspectors visited Rio earlier this month and urged organisers to speed things up, saying more cooperation was needed among all involved.—