IOC vice president retracts from 'worst-ever' 2016 Rio Olympics comments

International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president John Coates has reportedly backtracked on his comments over the preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and said that Rio can deliver an 'excellent' Games.

Coates had described Rio's preparations for the Olympics as 'the worst he has experienced', saying the IOC had 'become very concerned' because the Brazilians were behind 'in many, many ways'.

However, The Guardian reports that Coates has moved to defuse tensions with the event's organisers after contacting IOC executive director Gilbert Felli, a senior troubleshooter sent to the host city last week to help tackle delays.

Coates released a statement saying that he believes the Rio Organising Committee and the people of Brazil 'can indeed deliver an excellent Games' as things are 'moving in the right direction' even though time is 'of the essence'.

Coates also said he was heartened by reports on progress and that Rio was addressing the specific concerns of the 17 international sports federations raised at a meeting in Turkey last month regarding venues.