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IOC chief praises Rio 2016 preparations

Xinhua, February 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has praised the state of preparations for South America's first Olympic Games, to be staged in Rio de Janeiro next year.

The endorsement comes despite delays to a planned new metro line and concerns about the quality of water at the Guanabara Bay sailing venue.

"I am very satisfied," IOC president Thomas Bach told media on Tuesday.

Earlier, Bach met Brazil President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia. He is also due to meet the IOC's executive committee.

Bach's comments come less than a year after IOC vice-president John Coates described the Games' preparations as the "worst" he had ever seen.

Rio mayor Eduardo Paes said the focus of planning was now geared towards the running of the event, to be held from Aug. 5-21 next year.

"We are are now talking about the operation of the city - how to take care of the event itself - which is a totally different matter," Paes said.

"I am very optimistic. I think things are moving very well." Endi