The Rio de Janeiro Olympic velodrome has been hit by a fire, with the track seriously damaged just a year after the Games were held in the Brazilian city.
The fire reportedly started after a huge Chinese lantern landed on the roof of the building, with the fire spreading quickly in the roof area. Debris and smoke left one end of the track blackened and damaged, with the track centre flooded as fire fighters fought to put out the blaze.
There were no reports of injuries because the fire hit during the night. The full damage is being evaluated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Brazil's sports minister, Leonardo Picciani, confirmed the incident on Twitter and posted videos of further Chinese lanterns or balloons falling near the site inside the Olympic Park. He wrote: “Absurd! In addition to the balloon that burned the velodrome, other balloons fell in the Olympic Park” with a photo showing several of the Chinese lanterns.
Absurdo! Além do balão que queimou o velódromo varios outros caíram no parque olímpico. http://pic.twitter.com/RJMJ8c7Nhh
— Leonardo Picciani (@LeoPicciani15) July 30, 2017
The huge cost of the 2016 Rio Olympics for Brazil and the rapid damage to other Olympic sites has already sparked anger. The velodrome only reopened in May but will now need some major work to make the building and track surface safe to use.
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) July 30, 2017
— Sidney White *Bacana (@sidywhite_) July 30, 2017
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2tUKtW5
No comments:
Post a Comment