IOC President Thomas Bach says he feels "very confident" in the preparations for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
But Bach acknowledged once again that Brazil has no time to lose and must speed up work for the first Olympics in South America.
Rio's preparations have been plagued by delays, the late approval of an operating budget and concerns about water pollution in Olympic venues for sailing, canoeing, rowing, and distance swimming.
IOC members have talked openly about their worries and have constantly urged Rio organisers to move faster.
"We've seen great progress in the last couple of months. The organising committee has worked extremely well," Bach said after talks with Rousseff in Brasilia.
"But on the other hand, the president (Rousseff) also made it clear that time is key and we don't have any day to lose."
Bach is making his first visit to Brazil since being elected president of the International Olympic Committee in September.
The German was upbeat after meeting with Rousseff and said the Olympics would make Rio an even better city.
"I'm sure that after these Olympic Games the people of Rio and the people of Brazil will say - like for instance the people of Barcelona or the people of Munich - there is a Rio de Janeiro before the Olympic Games, and there is an even better city - if in Rio de Janeiro's case that is possible - there is an even better city after the Olympic Games."
After a long delay, Rio organisers are expected in the next few days to announce an operating budget.
The original bid document listed the operating budget at $US2.8 billion ($A3.2 billion), although bid cities usually underestimate the costs, and observers expect the Rio budget to grow.
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