IOC President Thomas Bach Defends Brazil One Year After Rio Games

Photo Courtesy: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

A new story from the Inside the Games, the site reported that International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is asking for critics to give Brazil more time to deliver on the promised legacy benefits that came with hosting the 2016 Olympic Games.

Bach’s words came on the heels of the one year anniversary of the Opening Ceremonies for the Rio Olympics and unrest throughout Rio de Janeiro. Many of the facilities used for the Games just one year ago are today vacant and in disrepair, with organizers still working on paying off debts. And recent economic and corruption problems have not helped the situation, with high tensions among the city’s residents forcing the government to deliver 8,500 soldiers to the streets amid rising violence.

Bach cites these problems in the article, describing the unfair way in which organizers have been blamed for the lack of progress despite “the extremely difficult situation in Brazil which is the worst crisis the country has ever gone through.”

Bach cited the aftermath of the London Olympics as an example of the long-term benefits of hosting the Olympics, saying it took many years for the benefits of hosting the Games to come to fruition. Many of the planned projects in Brazil following the Games have repeatedly missed their deadlines, including reopening two Olympic parks to the public, treating water pollution in Guanabara Bay, and selling the residential units in the old Olympic Village.

Bach’s comments come just a month after a report came out stating that the cost of the Olympic Games was estimated to be more than 13 billion US dollars, roughly four times as expensive as originally planned. You can read the full report from Inside the Games here.

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HJ Oxie

6 years ago

I wonder if he’s still getting his kick backs? I’m guessing he insisted his bribe was paid up front in full.

The Stroke Doctor at Magnolia Point

6 years ago

Reply to HJ Oxie

He sleeps on it every night I’m sure