LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — With concern mounting about the pace of progress for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, the IOC is warning Brazilian organizers that "time is ticking" and they must attack the project "with all vigor" to ensure that the first Olympics in South America are a success.
In other developments, the IOC suspended India's national Olympic committee because of government interference in its election process, two officials with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.
With the 2016 games less than four years away, Rio organizers briefed the International Olympic Committee executive board on Tuesday on their preparations amid leadership changes and continuing uncertainty about the budget and location of some sports venues.
Rio brought its new chief executive, Sidney Levy, who will take over the post in January. He will replace Leonardo Gryner, who becomes the chief operations officer.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams says "our message remains (that) there is time, but time is ticking, and they need to carry on attacking this one with all vigor."
After months of warnings, the IOC executive board imposed the sanction when the Indian Olympic Association failed to comply with the world body's demands for holding independent elections, the officials said.
Source: www.usatoday.com