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Rio Olympic mountain bike course threatened by fire

A fire broke out on Monday and the extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed by officials

August 16, 2016
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Rio and UCI officials are set to meet on Tuesday to assess the damage to the Rio mountain bike course after a fire broke out in the Deodoro neighbourhood in Rio’s north west on Monday. The fire was reportedly a controlled burn off that got out of control and spread due to high winds with ash reportedly falling on the nearby Hockey Center field where the field hockey Olympic tournament is being hosted and threatening the Olympic Mountain Bike Center as well as other venues at the X-Park.

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“High winds made the fire advance close to the mountain bike venue. During the firefighters work to contain it, the fire changed it’s direction and doesn’t represent any risk to the venue,” read a statement from the Rio 2016 organizers.

The X-Park venue includes the Olympic Mountain Bike Centre, the BMX center and the Whitewater stadium which all were in danger of being damaged by the fire. No injuries have been reported.

“The UCI is aware that there was a fire this afternoon in the vicinity of the Rio 2016 mountain bike course,” a UCI statement read. “It is understood the fire is now under control. Assessment of any potential impact on the mountain bike course will be made [Tuesday].”

Canada’s mountain bikers Catharine Pendrel, Emily Batty, Raphaël Gagné and Léandre Bouchard are set to race in the weekends events. Practice on the course was scheduled for Wednesday.

UPDATE: It appears that after inspection the mountain bike course sustained no damage in the fire.