The Olympic Village’s teething problems are another embarrassment for Brazil, who is struggling to show they can cope with the pressure during a severe recession and political crisis.
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Flanked by the Australian Mens Hockey Team, Chiller acknowledged the gesture and efforts of the people of Rio and provided Paes with an official Australia Team shirt and boxing kangaroo mascot.
She had moved the Australian team out of the Village until the problems were solved.
In response to the complaints, the Organizing Committee dispatched around 600 workers to fix all the problems on Monday.
Paes kissed Australia delegation chief Kitty Chiller on the cheek, handed her a symbolic key to the city and apologized for the construction hiccups, which included blocked toilets, unsafe wiring and leaks. In preparation for this, Linktel, operator of Brazil’s largest independent network of Wi-Fi hot spots, has relied on iBwave Design’s advanced Wi-Fi capabilities to deploy fast and secure Wi-Fi networks in several high traffic venues across Rio de Janeiro.
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.
“Of course, just a few days before the Games start there are always a number of issues to be solved”.
Since April, Amnesty has been raising concerns around the increased risk of human rights violations the context of the Rio 2016 Olympics after abuses were documented in relation to the 2014 World Cup and the 2007 Pan American Games, both staged in the country.
“You can already feel the Olympic energy here…”
Aside from fears over pollution in Guanabara Bay where sailing and long-distance swimming events will be held, some infrastructure for the Games is being completed at the last minute. The metro line to carry visitors from the centre of Rio to the distant western neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca where the Games will be held will only be inaugurated on Saturday by interim President Michel Temer.
Paes told a news conference the city would benefit from the legacy of the Games, which had allowed the completion of long-delayed projects.
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“We are progressing. The village is fantastic”, he said.
