With just under a week left of the 2012 Olympics, attention has already turned to Rio, the host of the 2016 games, amidst concerns that they will not be able to meet the tight project deadlines set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Of these projects, the construction of the Olympic Golf Course is perhaps causing the biggest headache for games organisers. Since announcing in March that architect Gill Hanse and Hall of Fame player Amy Alcott had won the right to design the course, the city of Rio has been involved in a legal battle over the rights to the land. At present there are two developers fighting for the land; entrepreneur Pasquale Mauro and a company named Elmway Participacoes. Mauro has several other properties in the region and has won similar disputes in the past, whereas Elmway Participacoes have been trying to claim ownership of the property for the last three years. The city of Rio are believed to have done a deal with Mauro for the land, saying they are satisfied with his proof of ownership and that he has all the required documents for the land. Initially Elmway Participacoes won a court battle to halt any construction being done but this was later reversed with work now set to begin in October with the goal being to have it ready for test events in early 2015. Despite this small win, the battle over the ownership of the land could take months, even years, to resolve and a judge can order a stop on all projects associated with it at any time. Despite all that is occurring, Rio say they have no backup plan for the golf course and have not identified any alternative locations. To further complicate the matter, Hanse recently acknowledged that his project was based on that specific piece of land and that any changes would force him to start his design from scratch. The golf course is set to become one of the key features of the 2016 games, with organisers wanting it to become a legacy to the city as it will be used as a public venue after the games to try and encourage more participants, particularly juniors, into the sport.
Author: Sarah Kennedy / Golf Australia