Rio 2016: Building an Olympic village
International Olympic Committee inspectors wrapped up three days of inspection work in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, as they try to judge how well the Brazilian city is preparing for South America’s first Olympics in 2016.
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- This May 13, 2014 file photo shows the Rio 2016 Olympic golf course under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor opened an inquiry on Feb. 6, 2015 into alleged misconduct by Mayor Eduardo Paes over the construction of the golf course for the 2016 Olympics in a nature reserve. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
- Men work in front of a the Olympic Park’s entrance, that reads in Portuguese: “Future facilities of the Olympic Park Rio 2016,” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- A general view of the Olympic Park which will host competitions during Rio’s 2016 Olympics under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- A general view of the Olympic Park which will host competitions during Rio’s 2016 Olympics under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- A worker walks past one of the entrances of the Olympic Park, that reads in Portuguese “Future facilities of the Olympic Park Rio 2016,” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- Construction continues at Olympic Park, which will host competitions during Rio’s 2016 Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- A man works at the 2016 Olympic Games’s Athletes Village under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- People walk past the 2016 Olympic Games’s Athletes Village under construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. . (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
- The sun begins to set over the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, which will host the primary venue cluster for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the golf course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues (C) at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, as remaining homes from the Vila Autodromo favela stand (bottom) on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park (C) for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the golf course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- The sun begins to set over Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, which will host rowing and canoeing events for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- The sun begins to set over the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, which will host the primary venue cluster for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the golf course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- The sun begins to set over Copacabana beach, which will host beach volleyball, open water marathon and triathlon for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- The sun begins to set over Copacabana beach (TOP), which will host beach volleyball, open water marathon and triathlon for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- The sun begins to set over the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood (C), which will host the primary venue cluster for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the golf course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium (C), a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the golf course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Olympic Stadium, a primary Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the golf course for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues (R) at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, as remaining homes from the Vila Autodromo favela stand (L) on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, a Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Work continues on the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Olympic Games venues, on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Maracana Stadium, a Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Maracana Stadium, a Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Construction continues at the Olympic Park for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Park will occupy 1.18 million square meters hosting 16 Olympic disciplines and will be the heart of the games. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
- Maracana Stadium, a Rio 2016 Olympic Games venue, is shown on February 24, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city of Rio continues to prepare to host the upcoming Olympic Games which kickoff on August 5, 2016. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The games got off to a slow start, with an IOC vice president saying almost a year ago that the preparations were the worst in memory. Inspectors are expected to say they are seeing strong progress, but that deadlines remain tight and there is not a day to lose to make the Aug. 5, 2016, opening ceremony.
Rio is spending about $14 billion on the Olympics, after Brazil spent $12 billion on last year’s World Cup, a hefty investment for a country teetering on the brink of recession. – Associated Press