Crisis What crisis asks Rio 2016 chiefs

The mayor of 2016 Olympics host city Rio shrugged off Brazil's political and economic problems on Wednesday, assuring the International Olympic Committee that the Games are on course.

While mayor Eduardo Paes addressed the IOC executive committee by video-conference to brief members of the Games' progress, despite Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff fighting impeachment, local organising committee head Carlos Nuzman insisted work was on schedule.

"I think the most important thing is that nothing is affected for the athletes, that nothing affects the organisation of the games," Nuzman told reporters.

"We have been working for seven years. We can say today we are on the way. For the venues, almost everything is ready."

Nuzman's optimism was echoed by Christophe Dubi, executive IOC director for the Olympic Games, even as Brazil's inflation hit a 12-year high.

"The mayor (of Rio) gave a number of reassurances," said Dubi. "He provided reassurances that every effort would be made to make sure no major impact would come from the economic downturn.

"He reassured that everything in his responsibility will be delivered in time."
Source: AFP