Platform for open-water swimming competition at Rio collapses

The diving platform of the Rio Olympics open-water swimming event has collapsed into the sea just two days before the start of the competition.

An urgent meeting has been called by the organisers to see what changes must be made so that the event can go forward as scheduled from Monday, reports Efe.

Kiko Hervas, head of the Spanish open-water team, said on Saturday after observing the situation on Copacabana beach where the swimming match was to take place, that they are waiting to see how the Olympic Games Organising Committee will deal with this setback.

According to Hervas, the tide knocked the platform down and they hope that all will be remedied as soon as possible.

A powerful tide destroyed the immense cement structure on the shoreline, a misfortune the organisation is trying to remedy and which could mean that a new starting point for the sport will have to be arranged.

All Saturday morning, Olympic Games employees with special boats have been trying to remove the cement structure from the shore.

Swimmers, who planned to get in some training this morning in the area, switched from the sea to a swimming pool to train on Saturday.

--IANS

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