Canada’s chef de mission says problems at Olympic Village are being fixed

TORONTO – Canada’s chef de mission for the Rio Olympics says while there are issues with the Olympic Village, they are not out of the norm for the run-up to Games.

“We’ve got a team of 70 people on the ground. There’s certainly been what’s been reported. There’s been some issues,” said Curt Harnett, a three-time Olympic medallist in track cycling who competed in four Games. “Nothing that we didn’t expect.

“You expect them at pretty much every environment when you stress-test things — sometimes things happen.”

The Australian delegation was the first to raise complaints about the village, saying water leaks and electrical problems had “endangered” athletes. Belarus then branded the village unsanitary, citing no hot water, only occasional cold water, and a failing sewage system.

Harnett said problems are being fixed and Canadian athletes have already moved into the village.

“We certainly feel for some of the countries that have had maybe bigger issues than what we’ve had,” he said Tuesday at a send-off for the women’s rugby sevens team.

The Canadian team has had people in Rio for two weeks now, going over such issues.

Harnett will see for himself this week. He leaves for Brazil on Wednesday night.

Canada is sending 313 athletes from 37 sports, along with 205 coaches and support staff, to Rio. The Games start Aug. 5.