Source: Sestaro Canoagem | Translation: Vitek Vanicek | Proofread: Katie Ellis - During their visit to Rio de Janeiro, representatives of 13 National Olympic Committees (NOC), among them former rowing and canoeing athletes, praised many beautiful areas in the city. Yet at the same time they expressed concern about the chaotic traffic in the area.

On Wednesday 22nd Oct 2014, the 13 representatives of 13 NOC ended their visit to the venues of the Olympic Games Rio 2016. In two days they have pointed out many positive points, like the hospitality and the city’s attractiveness, but there were also negative points, such as traffic problems. For two representatives, one place was particularly special; the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (Rodrigo de Freitas Lake), where the rowing and sprint canoeing regattas will take place. Djordje Visacki, General Secretary of the Serbian delegation, is a former rowing world champion and also Sydney 2000 Olympian. José Luis Garcia is the chief of the Olympic delegate of Portugal and has represented his country in sprint canoeing at the Olympic Games in Seoul 1988. Both have praised the central location of the lake, but the presence of the algae in the water did not go unnoticed.

“I think people need to see what the lake looks like now and then re-examine it after the games. There are still some species of algae that are killing fish, but you must see it after the Games” – said Visacki, who also told us the view from the lake had given him goose bumps. “It is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. I would love to be an athlete again just to race here, with Corcovado in the background”.

The presence of the algae was not only picked up by the Serbian representative but also by the Portuguese delegate José Luis Garcia. On a more positive note, he and Visacki were both impressed by the fact that the regatta lake is located in the centre of the city. “Next year we will have the European Games (similar to the Pan-American Games) hosted in the city of Baku, but the canoeing regatta course will be 280 km away from the main host city. Here in Rio it is different, the canoeists will be competing fairly close to the other events.”

Members of the NOC´s delegation were also shown an overview of the Rowing Stadium project, which was presented to them in the Candidature File. As the ‘Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas’ area is protected by law and there is a real chance that the local biodiversity will be altered by the games, the Public Ministry is investigating the possibility of building a temporary platform measuring around 250m with a seating stand for 10,000 spectators located in front of the finish line. As the project isn't yet ready, nobody knows if the structure of the base would be fixed with pillars at the bottom of the lake or if it would float on the surface of the lake in order to avoid damaging the environment.

Also read: Rio Olympic kayakers’ pollution fears