IOC chief Bach lauds ‘beautiful’ Rio Olympic village
Rio de Janeiro, June 16 (IANS) International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach described the Rio Olympic village as “one of the most beautiful” he had seen during the unveiling of the $835 million complex.
Located close to Olympic Park in Rio’s Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood, the village comprises 31 buildings covering 200,000 square metres of space, reports Xinhua.
It will accommodate almost 18,000 athletes, officials, staff and volunteers during the August 5 to 21 Games.
“It’s one of the most beautiful Olympic villages I have ever seen,” Bach said on Wednesday.
“It is the heart of the Games and it’s from here that the Olympic message will be spread to Brazil and the world.
“Athletes will be taking part in the most difficult competitions of their lives and, at the same time, will live together in peace and with respect for the entire world.”
Rio city mayor Eduardo Paes said funding for the village was provided by the private sector.
The site will be transformed into a residential complex in 2017, with apartments to be sold to private investors.
Athletes are expected to start arriving at the village on July 24.
Brazilian Olympic swimmer Medeiros fails doping test
Rio de Janeiro, June 16 (IANS) Brazilian swimmer Etiene Medeiros faces the prospect of missing this year’s Olympic Games after failing a doping test, local authorities confirmed.
The 25-year-old was found to have traces of fenoterol in her urine during an out-of-competition test last month. Results of a B sample confirmed the presence of the banned substance, reports Xinhua.
Fenoterol is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because of its properties as a stimulant that increases hormone production.
“On June 15 the ABCD (Brazilian anti-doping authority) stated the facts to the CBDA (Brazilian swimming confederation) so that the confederation can begin disciplinary proceedings,” the ABCD said in a statement.
Medeiros, who has qualified for the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke at the Rio Olympics in August, said she unwittingly took the substance as part of her medication for asthma.
She is expected to appeal the decision in the coming days.