Australia praises efforts to ready Olympic village
Updated: 2016-07-26 10:17
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
Kitty Chiller (R), Chef de Mission for Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, leads a news conference with boxer Daniel Lewis in which she described the problems that her country's delegation encountered with the athletes' housing in Rio de Janeiro, July 25, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
RIO DE JANEIRO - Australia's Olympic delegation chief has praised efforts to fix problems at the Rio 2016 athletes' village and said the team would likely check into the complex on Wednesday.
The comments came a day after Australia refused to enter their allocated apartments due to issues such as blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring.
"There was fantastic progress made today," said Kitty Chiller, chef de mission of the Australian Olympic team. "It's looking like, according to our plan, we will be able to move everybody in on Wednesday."
According to Chiller, there were more than 200 problems with the accommodation on Sunday. Australia paid the cost of initial cleaning out of their own pocket and have not yet been told if they will be reimbursed.
Rio mayor Eduardo Paes had tried to comfort the Australian team by saying he wanted to arrange for a kangaroo to welcome them in the village.
Chiller said she was thankful for the work done by Paes and the local organizing committee to ensure that the issues were resolved quickly.
"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," Chiller said.
"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 delegations from Great Britain, Argentina, New Zealand, Brazil and Italy have also reported problems with their accommodation.
Related Stories
Rio Olympic Village opens its gate 2016-07-25 10:44
Rio 2016 hires 500-strong task force to fix village problems 2016-07-25 10:35
IOC decisions on participation of Russian athletes in Rio Olympics 2016-07-24 22:51
IOC will not impose blanket ban on Russia for Rio Olympics 2016-07-24 22:17
Chinese volunteers are ready for Rio 2016-07-23 08:40
Today's Top News
Syrian suicide bomber in Germany faces deportation
Shooting at Florida nightclub kills, wounds 16
One dead, 12 injured in blast near Nuremberg
IOC declines to issue blanket ban of Russian athletes
French president urges Britain to begin EU exit talks
Turkey to restructure its army after coup attempt
UK to keep close economic ties with Germany: May
China's Fosun buys UK's Wolves for 45 million pounds
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Hollywood snaps up rock star's dog film |
Chinese people welcome dispossessed |
The can-do generation to the fore |
Riding the wave |
Leisure giants buoy cruise market |
She followed her heart |