IOC vice-president says Brazil preparations are worst he鈥檚 experienced

Rio Olympic park - Aecom

Brazil鈥檚 preparations to host the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are critically behind schedule 鈥渋n many, many ways鈥�, according to a senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official.

John Coates, the Australian vice-president of the IOC, said the country was in 鈥渁 worse situation than Athens [in 2004]鈥�, adding: 鈥淚t鈥檚 the worst that I鈥檝e experienced.鈥�

Coates added: 鈥淭here is little co-ordination between the federal, the state government and the city 鈥� which is responsible for a lot of the construction.

鈥淎nd this is against a city that has got social issues that also have to be addressed; a country that鈥檚 also trying to deal with the Fifa World Cup coming up in a few months.鈥�

To speed up work, the IOC has sent a team of troubleshooters, including extra monitors, project managers and other experts.

Speaking at an Olympic forum in Sydney, Coates said: 鈥淲e have become very concerned. They are not ready in many, many ways.

鈥淲e have to make it happen and that is the IOC approach; you can鈥檛 walk away from this.鈥�

Aecom and Wilkinson Eyre are masterplanning the largest Olympic zone in Rio, its Olympic park (pictured).

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