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A22 SPORTS
Thursday 15 June 2017
AP Analysis: Rio de Janeiro Olympics cost $13.1 billion

By RENATA BRITO and STE- hosted as Brazil sank into
PHEN WADE its deepest recession since
Associated Press the 1930s.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — An The state of Rio de Janei-
analysis by The Associated ro has been months late
Press shows that the cost of paying teachers, hospital
putting on last year’s Rio de workers, and pensions. The
Janeiro Olympics was $13.1 state also reported record-
billion, paid for with a mix of breaking crime in 2016 in
public and private money. almost all categories from
Officials of Brazil’s Public homicides to robbery.
Authority for Olympic Leg- The problems around the
acy said at a news confer- Rio Games — and the af-
ence Wednesday, the cost termath — have called into
for “sports-related venues” question the wisdom of cit-
was 7.23 billion reals ($2.06 ies building new venues ev-
billion). In addition, the Rio ery few years to accommo-
organizing committee pre- date an event that lasts just
viously said the cost of run- over two weeks.
ning the Games at 9 billion Paulo Marcio, the head
reals ($2.8 billion). of the Public Authority for
The Olympic legacy body Olympic Legacy, talked
did not account for other vaguely about plans to
Olympic-related costs. But In this July 4, 2016 file photo, the Olympic Park of the 2016 Olympics is seen from the air, in Rio de use the venues. The Olym-
the AP obtained them in Janeiro, Brazil. An analysis by The Associated Press shows that the cost of putting on last year’s Rio pic Park has staged main-
emailed statements from de Janeiro Olympic was $13.1 billion. Associated Press ly small national or local
city, state and federal events. He did not offer any
agencies. to connect fans to Olympic have hosted such an event port at the Olympic Park cost or income figures with
Those costs were 26.385 bil- Park had a price tag of 9.7 with this level of invest- in suburban Barra da Tiju- most of the Olympic are-
lion reals ($8.2 billion) for, billion reals ($2.98 billion). ment,” federal prosecutor ca, which now consists of nas now being operated
among other things, a sub- According to a state audi- Leandro Mitidieri said. He mostly vacant venues. Last by Brazil’s federal govern-
way line, a doping labora- tor’s report cited in August, said it would be difficult to month a federal prosecu- ment. A plan to auction off
tory, a renovated port and the railway was overbilled use the Olympic venues in tor said many of the ven- the venues to private oper-
cleanup of polluted Gua- by 25 percent. a way that would generate ues were “white elephants” ators failed when only one
nabara Bay. Another legacy project, the enough income to cover that were built with “no bidder was reported to be
The doping laboratory was renovation of Porto Mara- maintenance expenses. planning.” interested.
paid for by the federal gov- vilha, a run-down historic “It is a challenge and we The Rio Olympics, which “I think that in a short pe-
ernment and cost 163.7 area in Rio, cost the city 10 can see the difficulties,” he opened 10 months ago, riod of time I will be able
million reals ($50 million). billion reals ($4.2 billion). said. “We recognize the dif- were plagued by count- to deliver this legacy, and
A delay-plagued subway “Should a country with ficulties.” less financial and organiza- we have already been suc-
line project that was built such inequality as Brazil Officials presented the re- tional problems, and were cessful,” he said.

Hein Verbruggen, former

cycling head, dies at 75

By RAF CASERT for cycling and those close dopers instead of counter-
AP Sports Writer to him.” ing them. Just as often, he
BRUSSELS (AP) — Hein Ver- Dutch cycling association fought back to save his
bruggen, the former presi- spokesman Kevin Leen- tarnished reputation. He
dent of the International heers confirmed the death, proclaimed his innocence
Cycling Union who over- saying Verbruggen died on until his death. Verbruggen
saw the worldwide spread Tuesday night. was a consummate busi-
of a sport often tainted by Critics said Verbruggen nessman all his life, yet he
doping, has died. He was was too close to those in- was never able to shake
75. volved in doping. He was the doping scandals during In this April 3, 2008 file photo, Hein Verbruggen, the then coordi-
nation commission chairman of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Orga-
The UCI and the Interna- often confronted for his his reign. The reason for his nizing Committee, listens during a news conference in Beijing.
tional Olympic Committee relationship with Lance opposition to doping was
both reacted to the news Armstrong, the American simple, he said. As a sales manager at Mars and Italy for major races,
on Wednesday, underscor- rider who was the face of “I want to get rid of dop- food, he got into cycling Verbruggen was already
ing the Dutchman’s clout cycling with his seven Tour ing because it prevents me and found a sport which dreaming about the world
within both organizations. de France victories before from selling the sport,” Ver- was totally antiquated at large, driven by such
The IOC flew its flag at half he came to embody the bruggen said in an inter- when others like tennis were ideas as World Cup rank-
staff and Dutch King Wil- abuse of performance-en- view with The Associated developing with the times ings to get a more global
lem-Alexander, a former hancing drugs. Press three decades ago, and becoming successful appeal.
IOC member, called him Time and again Verbrug- as he was making his way professional enterprises. “Protect in Europe what we
“a man with a big heart for gen faced accusers say- up the ladder in the cycling When cycling still centered have, and then afterwards
the Olympic movement, ing he was colluding with world. mainly on France, Belgium comes America,” he said.