IOC: Rio’s Olympic preparations boosted by WCup

International Olympic Committee, IOC, President Thomas Bach of Germany, waits prior to the opening of the executive board meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Monday, July 7, 2014. AP

LONDON — The IOC official overseeing efforts to speed up Rio de Janeiro’s troubled preparations for the 2016 Olympics says the smooth running of the World Cup has lifted the mood of Brazilians and given them the confidence needed to deliver the games on time.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, IOC executive director Gilbert Felli says the situation has improved since he was dispatched as a special troubleshooter for Rio two months ago.

He says Brazilian organizers will complete the mountain of work still needed to do over the next two years — with constant monitoring.

Felli says, “Of course it remains tense, but we should look with more optimism.”

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