Rio 2016 Head Resigns Ahead of IOC Inspection

The resignation of Marcio Fortes, head of the Olympic Public Authority for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, has been confirmed.

Fortes had complained that his office had lost its influence. The Olympic Public Authority coordinated preparations for the Games between the federal, state and local governments in Brazil, though it is not responsible for the delivery or construction of Olympic-related projects.

ESPN reports that Fortes’ resignation may concern inspectors from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who will be in Rio later this month to assess preparations for the 2016 Games. The IOC have previously expressed their concerns over the slow progress of planning and construction.

Leo Gryner, Rio 2016’s chief operation officer, has also acknowledged that $700 million in public money may be required to make up the shortfall in the Games’ operating budget.