Oct. 12--After months -- if not years -- of enduring negative headlines, organizers of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics received welcome news when cycling officials praised their mountain bike course.
Cyclists tried the venue during a test event at Deodoro Olympic Park over the weekend.
"We are extremely satisfied," said Peter Van den Abeele of the international cycling federation, adding that "it will be way better than London."
French rider Maxime Marotte, who finished second in the men's competition, said: "The track is technical and fast and it will be good for TV during the Olympics."
Rio 2016 organizers have been criticized for, among other things, construction delays and unhealthy pollution levels in the ocean waters where sailors and swimmers will compete.
There is some work to do on the mountain bike course, with sections to be tweaked using feedback from the weekend's competition.
