IOC and FIFA in ‘Close Contact’ Over Brazil Event Preparations

April 6, 2011

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) claims that it is in close contact with FIFA with regards to the preparations for both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Despite the fears over the pace of these preparations, search the IOC is confident that Rio de Janeiro will hit its targets to be ready to stage the summer Games two years after the World Cup.

However, the Brazilian government and sports authorities should not be in any doubt that the two sports authorities regularly exchange information about their perceptions and observations, with IOC president Jacques Rogge stating: “We have close contacts with FIFA. We give information about 2016 and FIFA gives us information about 2012 and we have a very good collaboration. The co-ordination commission also gave a good report on its latest visit [to Rio] and we are confident that the deadlines will be met.”

This optimism contrasts with concerns expressed by FIFA president Sepp Blatter that Brazil was now further behind in its preparation work for the 2014 World Cup than South Africa had been at the same stage ahead of its 2010 hosting.