“The days of lavish spending are over”, said Mario Andrada, director of communications for Rio 2016, according to the BBC.
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The Federation Equestre Internationale – the world governing body of the sport – echoed Guigni’s warning, saying in a statement that the Agricultural Ministry’s failure to approve the veterinary certificate and protocol needed to bring horses in and out of Brazil had derailed planning for the games.
Brazil’s biggest city, Sao Paulo, decided against trying to ban Uber and plans to introduce new regulations for such apps.
The head of the Brazilian Equestrian Confederation has warned that equestrian events at next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics might have to take place outside Brazil.
There have been fears that private sponsors and contractors crucial to paying for the Games would be derailed by the economic slowdown, but Rio 2016 officials say that almost all contracts have been fulfilled, allowing preparations to keep to schedule.
Below, a look at Rio’s Olympics infrastructure as it stands today, taken from my own photos along with images provided by the Rio Media Center.
There was no suggestion at the time the events might have to be moved.
The biosecurity requirements are necessary because several horse diseases are endemic in the region, including glanders, a risky bacterial infection.
“The disease has been eradicated from Europe but does occur in other parts of the world and the outbreak in Brazil is a reminder of the need for constant surveillance and vigilance”.
Eventing at Brazil’s National Equestrian Centre in Deodoro. This was also done in the lead-up to a test event there earlier this year.
“The venue itself is impressive – it is a good size, well laid out, yet has a feeling of space”, said Dan.
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He added that it was not yet all in place but that the venue “works”.
