Rio golf course on track, says Games chief

Rio's 2016 golf test event is on track to be held next year despite a legal row over the course's development, Brazil's top Olympic official said.

A local court has given organisers until Wednesday to present an alternative proposal to the current project earmarked for a nature reserve, reports Xinhua.

Public prosecutors in Brazil claim the course will cause environmental degradation to a section of Atlantic rainforest.

But the president of Rio's 2016 organising committee, Carlos Nuzman, Monday insisted the proposed site would be approved.

"This is one of the best golf courses in the world," Nuzman said during a talk to students of Estacio University.

"It's a public course and we know that we are going to face difficulties like in any place in the world."

"But the golf test event will take place next year. I don't have any doubt about that."

Meanwhile, Nuzman said the local organising committee had set a target of 120,000 volunteers for the Games.

The volunteer registration process began in August with more than 50,000 applicants applying in the first five days.