Rio legacy needs time, says IOC's Thomas Bach
This file photo taken on July 10, 2017 shows Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (left) shaking hands with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Germany's Thomas Bach during their visit to the Olympic Museum on the eve of their bid presentation before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in Lausanne. PHOTO | FABRICE COFFRINI |
What you need to know:
- One year on from the opening ceremony of Rio 2016, Brazil is struggling to exit a deep two-year recession and the flagship city itself is plagued by violence, white elephant sports facilities and corruption scandals.
LONDON
Rio de Janeiro needs extra time to benefit from the legacy of hosting last year's Olympic Games, IOC president Thomas Bach insisted Friday.
One year on from the opening ceremony of Rio 2016, Brazil is struggling to exit a deep two-year recession and the flagship city itself is plagued by violence, white elephant sports facilities and corruption scandals.
"The positive signs and challenges will come to light with regard to the legacy," Bach said.
"You always have to take into consideration the extremely difficult situation in Brazil, which is in the worst crisis this country has ever gone through.
"Not all legacy plans are coming to fruition in the time that were planned for."
But Bach pointed out the fact that the Olympic park in London, hosts of the 2012 Games, was closed for more than a year after the end of the two-week sporting fiesta for refurbishment.
"This opportunity you have to give to Rio 2016, and given the very difficult circumstances, for reasons of fairness, to give them an extension of this time because there may be in this emergency situation in this country, other priorities at this moment in time," Bach said.
