Last week, the IOC’s Executive Board meeting took place in Lausanne. Presented to the IOC EB were reports and researches on Rio 2016.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, said:
“We can really say it was marvelous Games in the marvelous city. But I also liked very much the other wording I’ve heard there from the perfect imperfect Games. Because I think this describes it very well. The unprecedented challenges we had to overcome. Before Rio and in Rio. And then producing this great result.”
Christophe Dubi (IOC’s Executive Director of the Olympic Games) said:
About operations
“They (Rio2016) delivered very well and very close to the original idea.”
“Transportation, security, accommodations were delivered according to expectations, and indeed probably over expectations. Which is an excellent sign. So from an operational standpoint these Games worked. Were they perfect? No. But the backdrop and that we have to recognize, the immense difficulties the organizers have faced. And the result in the end. I Think we can really put a hat of. It’s extraordinary what they have delivered.”
About tickets
“88% Of tickets were sold.”
“Two-third of the sessions were actually over 90%.”
“6.1 Million tickets sold.”
“Across the city we had in the live-sites close to 4 million people during the Games.”
About the legacy
“All of the venues have a purpose after the Games.”
About the operational budget
“They (Rio 2016 OCOG) are concluding in the next few weeks.”
“They remain extremely close to their candidature budget, which was around the $2.9 billion mark.”
“We are right on the bank including when you consider the money that was spend for the operations for the Games”
Kit McConnell (IOC Director of Sports) said:
About the new sports
“We had two new sports. Golf and Rugby. And this took the total number of events in Rio from 302 to 306.”
“Both of them are I think seen to be hugely succesful.”
About venues
“Those fields of play were equally delivered in some of the most memorable, iconic venues that we’ve seen in recent Olympic history. From the sailors that were sailing in the heart of the host city in Guanabara Bay to the rowers and canooers that not only were in the middle of the host city in the incredible backdrop that that Lagoa gave them. We als had Copacabana beach hosting Beach Volleyball, the triathlon, the marathon swimming. To other iconic venues in Maracanã. (…) So it was a real mix of the outdoor iconic venues showcasing an incredible host city and equally iconic indoor venues that we used.”
Mark Adams (IOC President’s Spokesman) said:
About the problems surrounding the Rio Olympics
“Were they perfect Games? No I think someone described them as the most perfect imperfect Games. Which I think is actually a quite good characterization. There were problems, but what’s fantastic is the way that actually those problems were overcome.”
About transportation
“Metro line 4, which was so as you know built as part of the Games, is now carrying 200.000 passengers a day.”
“The three BRT Lines, which were also put in place using the Games as a platform to improve public transport in the city, they are now carrying 450.000 passengers a day.”
About economic impact
“The economic impact of the Games was $21.66 billion of direct and indirect investment.”
“AirBNB, Carioca’s made an $100 million from renting their homes.”
“1.79 million jobs were created during the Games.”
About tourism impact
“1.2 Million visitors during the Rio Olympic Games, spending $304 million.”