AP Interview: Olympic sports leader raises alarms over Rio and blames Brazilian government
BELEK, Turkey – The head of Olympic summer sports federations has called for urgent action to resolve the critical delays facing the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and accused the Brazilian government of failing to support the project.
Francesco Ricci Bitti tells The Associated Press that Rio’s troubled preparations are reaching a crisis stage and putting some sports venues in jeopardy.
The Italian says “we need to act” immediately or else the situation will become “very serious’” and force some sports to consider backup venue plans.
He says Rio’s organizing committee has “no leverage” with the government.
Ricci Bitti heads the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, which represents the 28 sports in the Rio Games. He also heads the International Tennis Federation and serves on the IOC co-ordination commission for Rio.
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