Athletes like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky are poised for great success in Rio and have a chance to etch their place in American Olympic lore.
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The unfinished village, built at a cost of about $1.5 billion, marks the first organizational crisis of South America’s first Olympics, which open in just over a week.
The Dutch team said their own staff had resolved numerous issues that beset their building, but they threatened to seek financial compensation for their work. The group refused to take up residence in the Olympic Village, opting to stay in hotels until the problems are resolved to their satisfaction.
At a ceremony in the Village on Wednesday, a smiling Paes apologized and thanked the Australian team for their understanding – and said they would be his second choice team for the Games, after Brazil.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – A near-diplomatic incident – as Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes termed it – came to an end on Wednesday ahead of the Olympics.
“I think we’ve managed to continue laughing throughout.to maintain our sense of humour”, Chiller told a news conference after the ceremony, noting that some 50 Australian athletes had already moved back into the official accommodation. With less than two weeks remaining before the opening ceremonies, the 31-building complex opened Sunday to welcome athletes from Australia, but the Olympic hopefuls found the conditions unfit for occupancy, with exposed wires and blocked plumbing among the many complaints.
Amnesty International on Wednesday highlighted bloody police violence in Rio by laying 40 body bags in front of the Olympic organizing committee headquarters – each representing people killed by city officers in May alone.
On Wednesday, Brazilian labor inspectors said they would fine the Rio organizing committee almost $100,000 (about 315,000 reals) for hiring workers without proper contracts required by law. He walked away without answering, which Chiller also noted.
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Chiller promised to speak out again if things are not ready. “And we’ll stop at nothing to ensure that we get that”.
