Rio 2016 organizers try to assure IOC inspectors of progress after delays, slow start

RIO DE JANEIRO – Local organizers worked Sunday to assure IOC inspectors that Rio’s 2016 Olympics, plagued by delays and concerns about hotel space and transportation, are on course after a slow start.

The IOC co-ordination commission, led by former hurdles champion Nawal El Moutawakel, will wrap up its tour on Monday. It’s the inspectors’ fifth trip to Rio to check progress.

Several co-ordination commission members have been outspoken about forcing Rio organizers to speed up games preparations. During the last visit six months ago, IOC executive director Gilbert Felli said: “We don’t have any yellow card to send to Rio.”

A warning this time would be major embarrassment to local organizers and recall the 2004 Olympics in Athens when then IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch issued a “yellow card” reprimand to Greek organizers.