Will Rio Summer Olympics Equestrian Venue be Ready After Troubled Start
|
|
The start of the Rio Summer Olympics is just a few months off. The test events for eventing, stadium jumping and dressage, held in August 2015 were deemed successes by organizers. But it seems as with every other big event, there are many stumbling blocks and mini-dramas before the opening celebrations begins. So far, there have been three major concerns leading up to the 2016 event.
The stable at the Olympic venue was previously used to stable military horses and was emptied in February, allowing a six month quarantine period before the event. But the first challenge was a frightening outbreak of glanders close to the site. This deadly disease spreads easily in the close confines of a stable. It’s largely unheard of in North America, but still occurs in many Asian and South American countries. The outbreak was in an army stable neighboring the Deodoro Olympic Horse Park that housed 600 horses and took place at the same time the test events were being held at the Olympic equestrian competition venues last summer. The stable was put under quarantine and at least one horse was euthanized. Another large stable outside of the area was also put under quarantine, and the disease was contained.
Related: Deadly Equine Glanders Disease Outbreak at Rio Olympic Stables
In October, it was rumoured that Brazil had still not secured the equine health certificate that would permit horses to enter and leave the country. Initially it was feared that if the certificate could not be secured, the equestrian events would have to be held in a different country. With the glanders outbreak highlighting the need for strict bio-security, organizers scrambled to satisfy officials from the FEI and other organizations that all was well, and the paperwork to allow horses in and out of the country was finalized.
Now, as 2016 begins, there have been concerns that the venue itself would not be ready. In fact, it seems there are several Olympic venues experiencing completion delays. The indoor track cycling velodrome construction has been delayed, largely because of budget cuts. And the tennis venue is 90% complete, but has come to a stop when the building contract was cancelled because the consortium responsible experienced delays and ‘breach of contract’. The equestrian venue is reported to be behind in refurbishments of the site. The equestrian venue is scheduled to be inspected by FEI delegates and a meeting of the The International Olympic Committee in February will include an update of the status of all the Olympic venues.
The Deodoro site of the Olympic Horse Park was formerly used during the 2007 Pan-Am Games and was used by the Brazilian Army Equestrian School. It is the second largest of all the Rio venues. Officials assure though, that despite the delays that all will be ready for opening day on August 5. The equestrian events are scheduled to take place, starting with eventing on August 6.
--
http://www.rio2016.com/en/venues-map |
|
|
Related Horse News
|
|
If Hoketsu qualifies for this year’s 2016 Rio Olympics he will be the oldest Olympic athlete in history. He was the oldest athlete competing at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Now, in 2016 at 74 years old, he is well over twice the av ...
|
|
There are a few horse diseases I think of as being ‘old fashioned’ because you just don’t hear about horses getting them any more. So, I was surprised to learn that a deadly disease called Glanders, one of the oldest recognized di ...
|
|
The start of the Rio Summer Olympics is just a few months off. The test events for eventing, stadium jumping and dressage, held in August 2015 were deemed successes by organizers. But it seems as with every other big event, there ...
|
|
Venue catastrophes, Zika virus, dodgy contracts, water pollution, lawsuits, alleged corruption, equine disease outbreaks and more have dogged the preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics. But, on August 5, the largest international ...
|
|
A fifteen-year journey to the Rio Olympics took an unexpected turn for a Dutch dressage rider and her horse Parzival. Adelinde Cornelissen was faced with what might have been a difficult decision for some. She turned her back on t ...
|
|
More News by Winniefield Park
|
|
CBS Eye On America takes a close look at the BLM’s management of America’s wild horse herds and the controversies that persist. The agency has faced criticism for its practices and animal rights advocates claim there are more huma ...
|
|
FightLikeAGirl isn’t letting the winter blues get her down. She’s climbed to the top of the ranks with a 102.5 inch jump and 1,063,500 PB in earnings. FightLikeAGirl is by the 95th generation sire *G Oath of Odin and 103rd generat ...
|
|
18 horses were surrendered to the MSPCA near Alford, Massachusetts early in December 2022. Several horses were deemed ready for adoption this week while others were still recovering from a respiratory illness. To prevent the sprea ...
|
|
Real cowboys had no choice but to ride a horse to perform their work. Sometimes a partnership between horse and rider worked out, sometimes it didn’t. Captured in memoirs, stories and journals, here’s what cowboys at the height of ...
|
|
For those working through mental health and addiction problems, Equine Assisted Learning can be a way to tackle stumbling blocks and learn a new way of thinking and maintaining healthy habits. Here’s how one team and their horses ...
|
|
The territory of opossums and other animals that thrive in warmer climates has expanded as areas experience milder winters. That could increase the spread of some diseases. Opossums are known to carry protozoa debilitating and som ...
|
|
As the first full week of 2023 came to a close *Guarded Myth* scores a hattrick took all three top spots. At the age of 18 this Friesian mare out of the PythonPonyPalaces stable had earned 10,755,700 PB and the top rank. Her highe ...
|
|
Rescuers were panicking but quick thinking saved four horses after they broke through the ice of a frozen pond. Neighbours in the Kalispell area teamed together and using ropes, chainsaws, shovels and picks, were able to free the ...
|
|
|