OLYMPICS roundup

Rio organizers grilled by IOC as games set to open

rio de janeiro

With the Rio de Janeiro Olympics set to open, worried IOC members grilled top organizing officials about traffic jams, water pollution, security, and the absence of signage that gives the games its own distinct look.

International Olympic President Thomas Bach also turned up the pressure Wednesday by talking straight to organizing committee president Carlos Nuzman and CEO Sidney Levy, who tried to soothe almost 100 IOC members.

“It’s delivery time,” Bach said. “Here we go now. It really starts. We are very confident we will celebrate great games here in Rio and the world will be surprised to see what will happen here.”

Bach also cautioned: “All praise is premature now. ... It’s too early to celebrate.”

Prince Albert of Monaco asked about Rio’s severe water pollution, which soils Olympic venues for sailing, rowing, canoeing, triathlon and open-water swimming. Rio treats about half of its raw sewage, dumping the rest into the waters surrounding the area of 12 million people.

“The media has said a lot about the preparations of these games, and they say a lot about the levels of pollution,” Albert said. “How worried should we be?”

Rio spokesman Mario Andrada repeated assurances that bacterial pollution levels fall within World Health Organization guidelines. However, organizers have been criticized for the astronomical viral levels in the waters, and for not testing for this kind of pollution.

soccer

Brazil held to scoreless draw on home soil

brasilia, brazil

Brazil started its quest for an Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer with a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa, a result that prompted loud jeers by some of the home fans.

Despite an attack led by Barcelona striker Neymar and talented youngsters Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol, Brazil was not able to find the net at the packed Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.

Gabriel Jesus, newly signed by Manchester City, had the game’s best chance in the 69th minute but missed an open net with a close-range shot that struck the post.

“I have the obligation to score that goal,” he said. “I’m not used to missing those chances. I’m disappointed. I won’t be able to sleep tonight because of that one.”

Neymar and Gabigol threatened a few times but also couldn’t score.

“We had the best chances but the ball didn’t go in,” Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. “And we also have to give credit to South Africa, which has a very determined team and made it difficult for us to impose our game.”

South Africa played a man down from the 59th after defender Mothobi Mvala earned a second yellow card for a hard foul on Brazil right back Zeca.

In the other Group A match in Brasilia, Iraq and Denmark also played to a scoreless draw, leaving all four teams tied.

Portugal blanks Argentina to open up group play

rio de janeiro

Suddenly, Portugal’s post-Cristiano Ronaldo era doesn’t seem so daunting.

The next generation of players from the country won their opening match at the Olympics on Thursday, beating Argentina 2-0 in Group D.

Portugal won the European Championship last month, with the 31-year-old Ronaldo sidelined for much of the final with an injury. Teams from the country also won the under-17 European title and nearly won the under-21 title last year, too.

Ronaldo could have played in Rio de Janeiro, with three players over the age of 23 allowed. But after playing at Euro 2016, the Real Madrid forward was never likely to participate at a second tournament.

“Everybody wants to be like him but first of all we must learn,” said 22-year-old striker Goncalo Paciencia, who scored Portugal’s opener against Argentina.

“We are a good generation. Portugal’s reputation is going to get even higher,” Paciencia said through a translator.

It was a night to forget for Argentina, the Olympic soccer champion in 2004 and 2008. Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who plays for Real Sociedad, let a shot from midfielder Pite squirm through his hands, under his body and over the goal line for Portugal’s second goal in the 84th minute.

Associated Press