Rio's Olympic venues far from complete

Rio's Olympic venues are a construction zone some 10 months before next year's Games.

Construction workers inside the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro

Rio's Olympic venues are a construction zone some 10 months before next year's Games. (AAP)

Got your hard hat on? Right, then let's take a peek at Rio's Olympic venues.

Watch out for that rubble. Careful of those bags of cement. Those cables could be a worry too.

Stay away from that digger. Keep an eye out for those cranes and forklifts.

And whatever you do, get off the grass.

Yes, you can walk around the athletics venue, Joao Havelange Stadium.

It's named in honour of Brazil's former FIFA president and IOC heavyweight.

But, please, while a FIFA internal investigation linked him to corruption, those claims weren't tested in court.

So go on, have a wander on the athletics track. Okay, it's not quite a track yet, just a messy mix of twisted rubber and concrete.

But it will be a track when Rio hosts the Olympics, come next August.

Just don't walk on the infield grass - that's akin to being in Rio and cheering Argentina in a soccer game against Brazil - a serious, serious offence.

The grass is being preserved for Botafogo FC, because it's their home ground, in case you're wondering.

If you want grass under your feet, go to the newly-created Olympic golf course in swanky Barra da Tijuca - no, it's not Barra as in mundi, it's pronounced Baha as in haha.

But please stay off the middle of the fairways, they're yet to be tested. Just stay in the rough.

And that building framework over there will be a clubhouse too, come next August.

What's that? Can you have a look around Olympic Park? Sure.

Feel free to check out the pool.

Oh, you expected water? Well, that will have to wait. Be content with those puddles from wonky drains for the time being. And yes, the tiling will be done, come next August.

The velodrome? That's the one over there, where those blokes are on the roof constructing, well, a roof. No, don't get any closer, those trucks might run you over.

What about some other venues in the park, those quaintly, but not imaginatively, named Carioca 1, Carioca 2 and Carioca 3 - carioca being the generic term for Rio residents.

Yes, they will have completed walls. Best not go in there quite yet, that hard hat may not prove sufficient.

Inspection of venues some 10 months out from the Games reveals truckloads of work to be done.

But there's no alarm that venues and infrastructure won't be ready in time for the sporting extravaganza - Rio's Mayor Eduardo Paes and Games organisers are steadfast that they're on schedule, and will be delivered on time.

So rest assured Rio will be ready. Next August.


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Source: AAP



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