Video: Rio Olympic velodrome in sorry state one year after Games

[wpbrad id=125]

Rio Olympic velodrome badly damaged by fire

The Rio Olympic velodrome is in a sad state one year after the Games, as these photos and videos reveal.

 

Rio Olympic velodrome badly damaged by fire

 

The velodrome in Rio that hosted the Olympic Games racing less than a year ago has been damaged by fire.

Earlier today small homemade hot air balloons were released and drifted on the breeze into the area where the velodrome is located.

At least one balloon landed on the roof of the facility, where Shannon McCurley was the sole Irish competitor last August.

And after causing extensive damage to the roof, burning material fell into the building and onto the track.

As the photo shows, the Siberian pine track was badly damaged in one section.

Brazil's minister for sport Leonardo Picciani confirmed news of the fire at the track.

Advertisement

He also posted a number of videos (below) showing other balloons falling from the sky close to the velodrome site.

Related News

 

A statement from Picciani’s department was critical of those members of the public who had released the balloons.

"The ministry of sport deeply regrets the incident this morning at the Velodrome Park and at the same time criticises this criminal practice of releasing balloons,” a statement said.

"The velodrome, a legacy of the Brazilian Olympic Games, was used by athletes and the community of Rio de Janeiro.

“We await and rely on the punishment of those involved for destroying more than a public good, a common site for all.

"After the fire brigade, we will assess the damage and measures to be taken to recover this important national asset."

The Olympic track had already been the subject of controversy as it had been locked up and was not in use until very recently.

However, it has at least been usable; unlike many of the Rio Olympic facilities that have fallen into such a state of disrepair they are beyond use.

 

Topics
frontpage

Related News