Rio cancels Olympic velodrome building contract

RIO DE JANEIRO - The city of Rio de Janeiro has cancelled a contract to build the Olympic velodrome amid mounting concerns about delays to the venue, according to media reports.

An aerial view of the Rio 2016 Olympic Velodrome venue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 25, 2016.  [Photo/Agencies]

Construction company Tecnosolo, which successfully bid for the 38 million US-dollar contract in 2013, was stripped of the project earlier this month, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Monday, citing Rio's city government.

Tecnosolo was also said to have been fined 119,000 US dollars for repeated failures to meet deadlines. The velodrome - which will stage track cycling at this year's Games - had been scheduled to open last year.

Rio's city government has awarded a new 15 million-dollar contract to Engetecnica to complete the works, according to the report.

Engetecnica is in a race against time to complete the venue ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony on August 5.
The company was subcontracted to help build the venue in March when Tecnosolo admitted cash flow problems would not allow it to complete the project alone.

It is the fifth time this year that Rio's government has rescinded a construction contract for Olympic projects.

In January, Rio cancelled contracts for the tennis and equestrian venues due to delayed works. The city government has also rescinded deals to build a new bus route and grandstands for rowing and canoeing events at Rodrigo de Freitas lake.

The Olympic Games will be held from August 5 to 21 and the Paralympics from September 7 to 18.