Judge Orders Reopening of Rio Olympic Park Despite Safety Concerns

Brazilian court has ordered the reopening of the Rio Olympic Park less than two weeks after it’s closure was issued.

Following a request from Rio’s prosecutor office, the park’s facilities were closed on Jan.16 citing safety concerns. The office complained they had not seen safety permits for the venues.

However, things have been reopened as of Jan.28.

After a public prosecutor petitioned a judge to close the facilities due to a lack of safety certificates, it was temporarily closed to “preserve the security of the population.”

Rio’s mayor’s office has since appealed the ruling, and an appeal court ruled that the sites will be reopened provisionally pending an examination on Tuesday.

The park, located in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood, includes the aquatics complex, velodrome and tennis courts, and has been used primarily for concerts and exhibitions since the Games took place almost four years ago. Recently, the park hosted September’s “Rock in Rio” festival which welcomed 700,000 visitors over the course of a week of concerts.

Per local authorities, the Olympic swimming pool will be open to the public beginning Sunday, Feb.2.

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About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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