International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach oversaw the inauguration of the Rio Olympic Village on Wednesday and declared the $835 million complex as “one of the most beautiful” he had seen.
The village, which is made up of 31 buildings and will host more than 10,000 athletes at the Games from August 5-21, is based in the Olympic Park at Barra da Tijuca where most of the events will take place.
“It’s one of the most beautiful Olympic villages I have ever seen,” said Bach.
“It is the heart of the Games and it’s from here that the Olympic message will be spread to Brazil and the world.
“Athletes will be taking part in the most difficult competitions of their lives and, at the same time, will live together in peace and with respect for the entire world.”
The village totals 200,000 square metres, contains 3,604 apartments and could house up to 17,950 people, according to the Brazilian sports ministry.
The total cost is 2,909 billion reais (742 million euros/$835 million).
Carlos Arthur Nuzman, the president of the Rio Olympics organising committee, said that the village will be formally opened on July 24. –Â Agence France-Presse
