Rio 2016 spokesman Mario Andrada said the fire had started behind the nearby shooting venue and spread toward the mountain bike circuit, a temporary facility that will be removed after the Games has finished.
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A bushfire burns roughly 10 miles from the Olympic field hockey venue during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
A statement from Rio 2016’s organising committee said: “The goal now is to prevent the fire reaching the surrounding community”.
The fire has taken hold at the Deodoro parkland area in the city’s west, parts of which houses the mountain bike stadium, canoe slalom course and BMX track. No injuries have been reported.
Rio 2016 organisers have not commented on the fire but cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said it would assess the course on Tuesday to determine whether competition could continue as planned. “It is understood the fire is now under control. Assessment of any potential impact on the Mountain Bike course will be made tomorrow”.
Canada’s mountain bikers Catharine Pendrel, Emily Batty, Raphaël Gagné and Léandre Bouchard are set to race in the weekends events.
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UPDATE: It appears that after inspection the mountain bike course sustained no damage in the fire.
