Australian competitors to move into Olympic Village on Wednesday
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 25/07/16 10:30pm
Australia hope to move into the Olympic Village in Rio on Wednesday after "fantastic" progress was made on the unfinished accommodation.
The Australian delegation said on Sunday it would not move into the Olympic Village because of shoddy plumbing and wiring that made their rooms uninhabitable, also complaining about poor security and water dripping down the walls.
Chef de mission of the Australian Olympic team Kitty Chiller said they had found 200 problems at the weekend but that figure had come down to a dozen by Monday evening.
"There was fantastic progress made today," said Chiller. "It's looking like, according to our plan, we will be able to move everybody in on Wednesday.
"The mayor and I have a date on Wednesday and I believe there will be a ceremonial handing over of the keys. I have arranged a little present for the mayor as well.
"For the past two years I have been saying that this is one of the best of the villages of the six that I have ever been in and I still say that it will be the best village that I have ever been in once these issues are complete."
The Games start on August 5, but a number of competitors have already arrived including the first tranche from Australia.
Rio's outspoken Mayor Eduardo Paes pledged to fix the problems but had appeared to make light of the Australians' complaints by saying he would place a kangaroo in front of their accommodation to make them feel at home - he said on Monday his comments were meant to lighten the mood.
Paes said: "The situation is way better today, but the Australian building is the one with the worst conditions. Works are now at an advanced stage.
"I have been receiving reports from the Organising Committee, who are responsible for the (Olympic) Village, that things are going well. We also have people of our own from City Hall helping there."
