Rio de Janeiro's officials have announced the start of the 2016 Olympics countdown, as London prepares to pass on the baton to the Brazilian city. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes held a news conference with the city's Olympic officials in London and said Brazil is prepared for the Olympics in four years.

Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro's Mayor, said, "The challenge for both cities is enormous. Obviously, Rio has a wider range of infrastructure interventions to be made. In relation to sports apparatus, we do have many things ready, but the city's infrastructure gap is bigger. What I want to underline is that the construction of all the projects we have committed to have been initiated."

Rio has come under criticism for failing to meet deadlines ahead of the 2014 World Cup, which also includes infrastructure projects planned for the Olympics. Still, a recent International Olympic Committee progress commission report praised Rio organizers for making "great strides", but also warned them that the clock was ticking.

Brazil's officials have repeatedly expressed their confidence that once the baton is handed to Brazil on August 12th, the country will prove itself equal to the task of staging the Olympics.

Related

• Brazil's president approval rating reaches 75.7 pct
• Olympic Women's Volleyball: Three favorites in quarterfinals, Brazil beats China
• Brazil tames China in women's volleyball event
• Reviving Brazil tames high-spirit China in women's volleyball event

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)