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Rio has backup plan for Olympic sailing venue: mayor

Xinhua, March 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rio de Janeiro's mayor Eduardo Paes said Monday the city has a contingency plan to ensure Guanabara Bay is clean for the 2016 Olympics.

The state government has vowed 80% of waste flowing into the bay will be treated ahead of the Games, despite concerns about the slow progress of clean-up work.

"The amount of rubbish that comes from the (surrounding) municipalities is controllable," Paes told SportTV on Monday. "As a last resort we will have a contingency plan whereby people will collect solid waste so that the Olympics are not affected."

Paes added that Rio's Olympic sailing course avoided areas most affected by sewage and rubbish.

"The part where the regattas will take place is closer to the mouth of the bay, which is less polluted," Paes said. "Apart from that, the Olympics will be held during a period of low rainfall."

The 2016 Games, to be held August 5-21, will be the first time the Olympics are staged in South America. Endi