Rio 2016 Venue to Stay Closed for 18 Months

The stadium that will be used for athletics during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in  2016 will remain closed for a further 18 months after work began on the damaged roof.

The Joao Havelange stadium was closed in March over safety concerns that the roof could collapse in high winds.

Reports suggest that a committee of engineers said they had found a number of problems including broken and twisted supports.

Sebastiao Andrade, a professor of engineering at Rio de Janeiro’s Cathloci University (PUC) who contributed to the study said: “It is a flaw which is related to the way the project was conceived.

“There is a need to reinforce the roof’s structure so the stadium can be used, taking into consideration the proper requirements of safety.”

The stadium was opened six years ago, costing around £128m ($200m) and was seen as a legacy project for the city.

Alexandre Pinto, the city’s official in charge of public constructions, also admitted there had been ‘several mistakes in this project.’

A tragedy

“To close a stadium so soon after it was opened is a tragedy, is a shame,” he said.

Organisers from the Games however said they were ‘satisfied’ the venue would be ready for 2016.

The stadium is named after the former head of FIFA, who was recently embroiled in the bribery scam.

A bid had been placed to rename the stadium, something the authorities in the city were taking under consideration.