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Rio Mayor plays down kangaroo comments

Tuesday, July 26 2016 by SNTV
  • Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has attempted to play down the media storm he created with his comments about complaints from the Australian Olympic delegation, saying on Monday (25th July) that his jokes about kangaroos were not meant to be offensive and that repairs to the Australian accommodation would be completed as soon as possible.

    SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro Mayor: (On Australian Olympic Committee saying that they need plumbing not kangaroos)

    "They are absolutely correct. That's what I said yesterday. What I said was in the sense that the Australian delegation had faced problems, which is understandable, and that we need to address that. And I mentioned that we want to provide an Australian environment. The City Hall is helping, making staff available from Rio's waste management company there. The situation is way better today, but the Australian building is the one with the worst conditions. Works are now at an advanced stage. I have been receiving reports from the Organising Committee, who are responsible for the (Olympic) Village, that things are going well."

    SOUNDBITE (English) Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro Mayor (On whether the Australians were exaggerating the condition of the apartments)

    "No, no. I was there in the building of the Australian committe last Friday (22nd July). It's really the worst situation, as I said yesterday. We are going to work hard, the (Rio 2016) Organising Committee is going to work hard to get the ready and welcome all the Australians, so things can be ready as soon as possible and they can get to their building ."

    SOUNDBITE (English) Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro Mayor (On saying that he was going to send a kangaroo jumping outside to make Australians feel at home)

    "No, yeah. I mean, Come on, let's not be… in such a bad mood. I mean, it's a typical animal from Australia and I want them to feel at home, you know? It's an amazing country and they are very welcome here and they have the right to complain."

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