NBC correspondent and Today show anchor Natalie Morales visited Rio de Janeiro last week to report on the progress of the construction of the venues that are being built for the 2016 Summer Olympics, set to begin one year from now on August 5, 2016.
“There have been a lot of hurdles getting ready for this Olympics – a lot of obstacles and challenges; and the glare of the spotlight has been harsh at times. But what we saw are signs of progress. Most of the venues we have seen are at least 50 percent completion. The mayor of Rio is saying that by February or March of next year they expect to have everything up and running and online. The infrastructure – they have added on to that – with bus and rapid transit lines – the metro lines are going to be expanded throughout the city, which is great news for this city – they need that.”
You can watch the entire report which includes information on other preparations for next summer’s Olympics in the 2-minute video below (click "play" after a short commercial).
The “Games of the XXXI Olympiad” (as they are officially named) will be primarily held within the Barra Olympic Park, which is now 82 percent complete, according to Olympic.org. That official site reports that the Carioca Arena 1, Carioca 2, Carioca 3, Olympic Tennis Centre, Rio Olympic Velodrome and Future Arena are scheduled for completion by the end of this year; that the new Olympic Aquatics Stadium should be ready early next year; and that events will also be held at two venues built for the 2007 Pan-American Games: the Rio Olympic Arena and Mara Lenk Aquatics Centre.
Other venues being prepared include the Olympic Golf Course and the Deodoro Olympic Park, which will host events such as the canoe slalom and mountain biking.
